A cold is a constant companion of childhood, and each of us has experienced all the "delights" of this state. When children are ill, there are sleepless nights for their parents. Older children are no easier to care for than newborns. After all, they are just as capricious and do not want to be given medical procedures. The question is, how to clean the nose of a child from snot? This is not as easy as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to consult a doctor, stock up on knowledge and patience.
Where does the runny nose come from?
Normally, the human nasal mucosa is protected by a small amount of mucus, which is produced by the protein compound mucin. With the addition of infection, the amount of protein increases, as a result of which the mucus thickens and changes color. What is popularly known as "snot" appears. These secretions consist of the following elements: water - 95%, mucin - 3%, salts - 1%, lipids - up to 2%, a small amount of nucleic acids and free proteins.
As a result of hypothermia (90% of all cases of infections), children's immunity decreases, viruses or bacteria are easily fixed on the nasal mucosa and begin to actively reproduce. Snot is produced as a defense against pathogenic microorganisms.
The body also reacts to mechanical injury to the mucous membrane with abundant secretions, which accelerates wound healing. The mucus affected by viruses and bacteria must be constantly renewed. This explains its large amount with a cold.
The body takes time to fight infection. But he cannot produce mucus indefinitely. So thickening your secretions is another way to keep germs out.
The density of the discharge directly depends on the neglect of the disease. The longer the illness lasts, the thicker the mucus.
Devices for cleaning the nasal passages
Before cleaning your child's nose, prepare the necessary supplies. Which one depends on the method of cleaning. Usually use:
- nasal or electronic aspirator;
- small syringe;
- cotton filaments and cotton pad;
- saline or warm salted water (teaspoon per liter of water; petroleum jelly;
- warm soapy water.
Cleansing methods
Removal of secretions with a nasal aspirator.
Purchase a ready-made device at the pharmacy, consisting of plastic tubes with flexible anatomical tips, an absorbent filter, a replaceable nozzle, and a mouthpiece. Two drops of saline are dripped into the nose.
When the crusts are soft, you can start aspiration. Remove the crusts with a cotton swab, insert a flexible tip with a tube connected to the filter into one nostril. Draw in air through the other tube.
The accumulated mucus will be evacuated to a container. Do the same for the second nostril. When working with one nasal passage, the other should be closed.
Mechanical aspiration.
It is carried out using a conventional syringe without a plastic tip with the tip of the smallest diameter. After the nose has been dripped with saline, dip a cotton tourniquet in petroleum jelly and insert into the nasal passage no more than 2 cm. Make a circular motion with the flagellum, then gently pull it out. If the snot is not completely removed, repeat the procedure with a clean flagellum.
How can a child's nose be cleared not only effectively, but absolutely safely?
Use electronic suction. This is a modern device, which is a small case with a power button and a tube with a nozzle. You just need to shallowly insert the soft tip into the nostril and turn on the aspirator. The secretions will flow into the container on their own.
Never use hard objects to clean your sinuses, such as cotton swabs or matches. This will damage the mucous membrane and may cause nosebleeds.
Cleansing the nose with the rinsing method
It is possible to wash the nasal passages for children who are already firmly on their legs, that is, from eleven to twelve months. The most effective and safest remedy for this is saline. You can use homemade sea water: dissolve 2 teaspoons of pharmacy sea salt in a glass of boiled water, let stand. It turns out a disinfectant solution that does not irritate the mucous membrane, effectively eliminating puffiness.
Another good remedy is an iodine solution: in a glass of water, a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of soda, 2 drops of iodine. This remedy is safe even for a newborn. In the fight against snot, a herbal decoction of herbs with anti-inflammatory action (chamomile, sage, eucalyptus leaves) is effective. Boil a tablespoon of the herb or mixture in 200 ml of water. Strain after 40 minutes.
The herbal decoction should be used with caution in children prone to allergic reactions. Before use, you need to drip a drop of the decoction into each nasal passage. If everything is in order after 1.5-2 hours, then you can use this method.
carry out the procedure in the bathroom. The child stands near the basin with his head bent down and his mouth open. Collect the prepared solution in a soft syringe. First, inject the product a little bit at a time, then the jet can be made more powerful. Flush the nostrils one at a time, one nostril flushed, the other closed. During the entire procedure, the patient should not raise his head. The injected solution will spontaneously come out along with the mucus. Don't worry - nothing gets into your open mouth.
carry out the procedure in the bathroom. The child stands near the basin with his head bent down and his mouth open. Collect the prepared solution in a soft syringe. First, inject the product a little bit at a time, then the jet can be made more powerful. Flush the nostrils one at a time, one nostril flushed, the other closed. During the entire procedure, the patient should not raise his head. The injected solution will spontaneously come out along with the mucus. Don't worry - nothing gets into your open mouth.This is a very effective manipulation that can be carried out not only for acute rhinitis, but also for sinusitis, sinusitis, as a preventive measure.
If a child has otitis media, never rinse his nose yourself. This should only be done by a specialist.
For children over one year old, the amount of nasal rinse should be no more than 200 ml per day for each nasal passage. For younger children - 50-100 ml.
How to properly bury your nose
- the best position for instilling drops is lying on your back;
- in a newborn, fix the head with your hand; in children over 6 years old, turn your head to the side;
- drip drops into the nostril located below;
- close the instilled nostril with your finger for a minute, then release;
- then turn your head to the other side, do the same with the second nostril;
- children over 7 years old can stand or sit when digging in, but it will be more comfortable to lie down;
- children over 8 years old can drip their nose on their own, but parents must control the process in order to prevent an overdose of the medication; you do not need to throw your head back to inject the spray.
Parents should ensure that sick children have adequate room conditions. Ventilate and damp the room more often.
Maintaining air humidity at the proper level (50-70%) helps to liquefy thick nasal mucus! Consequently, there will be less congestion.
Maintaining air humidity at the proper level (50-70%) helps to liquefy thick nasal mucus! Consequently, there will be less congestion.Remember that the main condition for recovery is timely and adequate therapy. See a doctor at the first suspicion of a cold, follow the prescribed procedures, properly cleanse the sinuses from mucous secretions and everything will be in order.
