Nasal lavage is a complex of therapeutic measures, characterized by cleansing the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses from pathological mucus by irrigation. Irrigation of the nasopharynx helps to eliminate the pathogenic flora from the ENT organs, as a result of which swelling decreases and nasal breathing is facilitated. The medical procedure ensures the normalization of the ciliated epithelium, which is due to the restoration of blood microcirculation in the affected tissues and an increase in vascular tone.
How to rinse a child's nose at home with a cold? To relieve the signs of rhinitis, it is advisable to use medicinal solutions based on isotonic water. They destroy bacteria and viruses, which leads to a regression of catarrhal processes and relief of symptoms.
What are rinses for?
Irrigation of the nasal cavity is a procedure that is widely used within the framework of official and alternative medicine to treat inflammation in the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses. Systematic treatment of ciliated epithelium with preparations based on saline solutions leads to an increase in local immunity. The suppression of the activity of the pathogenic flora contributes to the detoxification of the affected tissues, due to which the regeneration processes are accelerated.
Irrigation of the nasopharynx is carried out for the treatment and prevention of colds, which is due to the following properties of the procedure:
- cleans the nasal canals from tissue detritus, purulent exudate and viscous secretions;
- reduces vascular permeability, thereby eliminating swelling in the nasopharynx;
- disinfects inflamed tissues, which helps to destroy pathogenic agents;
- increases local immunity, thereby reducing the likelihood of re-infection of the ENT organs;
- ensures normal patency of the nasal passages, as a result of which the course of a cold is facilitated.
Important! Talk to your doctor before nasopharyngeal irrigation in young children. The presence of polyps and abnormalities in the structure of the nasal septum can cause the drug to enter the lungs.
Indications and contraindications
Nasal irrigation is part of a comprehensive local therapy that is used to treat complicated and uncomplicated colds. The medical procedure contributes to the rapid restoration of normal microflora in the ENT organs, thereby accelerating the healing process. For this reason, it is advisable to irrigate the nasopharynx when:
- flu;
- sinusitis;
- front;
- sinusitis;
- laryngotracheitis;
- allergic rhinitis;
- vasomotor rhinitis.
It is advisable to start local treatment of colds when the first signs of a cold appear. The suppression of the pathogenic flora in the foci of inflammation prevents the spread of catarrhal processes.
Irrigation of the nose contributes to an increase in the effect of medications on the patient's body, but the procedure should not be performed if there is a tendency to nosebleeds, the development of acute otitis media and obstruction of the nasal otters. Ignoring contraindications can lead to the development of severe complications.
Tools
How to rinse a nose with a runny nose at home for a child? To inject the medicinal solution into the nasal passages, you can use the tools that are available in almost every home. But before use, they must be disinfected in order to exclude the possibility of pathogens entering the ciliated epithelium.
For irrigation of the nasal mucosa can be used:
- a pipette is the safest instrument for dispensing a medicinal solution, and is often used to rinse the nose of infants;
- syringe - has a special soft or plastic tip designed for comfortable introduction of a medicinal solution into the nasal cavity;
- syringe - used to suck fluid from the nose and administer the medication under piston pressure.
Which instrument to use for nasopharyngeal irrigation depends on the age of the patient. For the treatment of children under 1 year old, it is more advisable to use pipettes, cleansing the nose in older children can be carried out using syringes or neti-pot - a teapot for irrigating the nasopharynx.
Drugs
The therapeutic effect of the procedure is determined by the effectiveness of the drug used to irrigate the inflamed mucosa. To prevent the development of allergic reactions, it is advisable to use medications based on saline for the treatment of colds in children. How can you rinse a child's nose with a runny nose at home?
- "Aqua Maris" is sterile isotonic water, which contains macro- and microelements that normalize the functioning of the ciliated epithelium. Eliminates congestion and inflammation in the nasal passages;
- Dolphin is a physiological solution containing mineral salts and organic matter of plant origin. Increases local immunity, normalizes mucus secretion and accelerates tissue regeneration;
- "Furacilin" is a solution with pronounced antimicrobial properties. Inhibits the activity of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that provoke the development of sinusitis, sinusitis and bacterial rhinitis;
- Miramistin is an antiseptic that has a hydrophobic effect on the cytoplasmic membranes of pathogenic agents. Destroys most strains of pathogenic bacteria, which allows you to eliminate purulent inflammation in the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses;
- "Dioxidin" is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that helps to eliminate purulent-infectious processes in the nasal mucosa.
Antibacterial drugs are used only to relieve the symptoms of purulent inflammation. Some of them can cause mutagenic changes in heredity, so consult your pediatrician before using medications.
Pipetting
To facilitate nasal breathing in infants, a conventional pipette should be used to irrigate the nose. It does not create a large fluid pressure, which prevents the drug from penetrating into the child's lungs. When carrying out the procedure, you need to take into account several important recommendations, namely:
- wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before washing;
- raising the child's head, 3-4 drops of the drug should be poured into each nostril;
- after a minute, remove the mucus accumulated in the nose with a syringe without a needle;
- clean the nasal passages with a cotton tourniquet dipped in saline;
- irrigate at least 3 times a day.
To prevent drying out of the mucous membrane, place a humidifier next to the child's bed or lubricate the nostrils with peach oil every time you rinse.
Syringe rinsing
A rubber bulb (syringe) is a versatile instrument that is most often used to irrigate the mucous membranes of the ENT organs. With its help, they not only rinse the nose, but also cleanse the channels of accumulated mucus. It should be noted that it is advisable to use the instrument only when treating children after 1 year.
How to rinse your child's nose at home with a runny nose?
- wash the syringe with soap and warm salted water;
- pour a sufficient amount of the warmed-up preparation into the pear;
- tilt the baby's head to the side;
- pour liquid into the upper nostril until it starts pouring out of the lower one;
- after changing the position of the head, repeat the procedure for the second nostril.
Important! During irrigation, ask the child to hold their breath as they exhale. Otherwise, it is possible that the medicine will enter the oropharynx.
With the development of a severe rhinitis, irrigation should be done at least 3 times a day for 7 days. If there are no positive results, get tested by a specialist. High fever, swollen lymph nodes and discharge of mucus with purulent impurities can signal the development of sinusitis or sinusitis.
Important Tips
To achieve the desired therapeutic results, there are several important rules to keep in mind during nasal irrigation. Their implementation guarantees the elimination of unpleasant symptoms of a cold within a few days:
- you should not perform the procedure immediately before bedtime, which is associated with increased mucus secretion under the influence of medicinal solutions;
- if nasopharyngeal irrigation is carried out for therapeutic purposes, the procedure must be performed for at least 7-10 days in a row;
- after cleansing the nasopharynx, it is undesirable to let the child go for a walk for 2 hours;
- if a specialist prescribes the use of nasal drops or ointments along with rinsing, they should be used immediately after cleansing the nose;
- when douching, avoid sharp pressure on the pear;
- use a small amount of vegetable oils to moisturize the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
To remove crusts in the nose in newborns, it is necessary to rinse the nose with chamomile decoction diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio. After softening, the crusts are removed with cotton wool soaked in a weak saline solution or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
