What to give to a 2 year old child for a runny nose

A runny nose is a common symptom that indicates that the mucous membrane of the nasal passages is trying to eliminate pathogens and allergens that have entered the body. In this case, the help of special local remedies is required - drops or sprays. Sometimes special nasal gels are prescribed for children over 3 years of age. Modern pharmaceutical companies offer a huge number of drugs to cope with the runny nose. How not to make a mistake in choosing and choose the most effective remedy for your child?

What parents need to know - how not to harm their child

Children's drops for the common cold should only be prescribed by the attending physician. Improper use of even the best drug can lead to serious and even dangerous complications. In order for a remedy for rhinitis to cope well with pathology, you need to know the following few rules:

1. For children under 6 years of age, it is best to use medication in drop form. Sprays are intended for older children.
2. You need to bury your nose in a lying position. First, 1-2 drops are dripped into the right nostril and turn the head to the right and up, then to the left, also turning the head to the left and up. Thus, the product reaches not only the nasal mucosa, but also the sinuses, which significantly increases the therapeutic effect.
3. It is strictly forbidden to exceed the dosage recommended by the doctor. Too frequent use of drugs, especially vasoconstrictors, can quickly become addictive and also contribute to the development of drug-induced rhinitis.
4. Also, you should not increase the course of treatment with antibacterial nasal drops for children. Although these medications only act locally, they can still cause a host of side effects if used too frequently.

Nasal drops: pros and cons

Among the advantages are the following.

1. The first plus is relief of the child’s condition (elimination of headaches, weakness, sleep disturbances), restoration of normal nasal breathing.
2. Another plus is that restored nasal breathing and a decrease in the amount of mucus in it (thanks to the drops) will help avoid the development of otitis media.
3. The third plus is that free breathing through the nose will prevent the mucus in the bronchi from drying out, thereby preventing serious complications from occurring (pneumonia, bronchitis).

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There are two main disadvantages of such drugs.

1. Risk of developing rhinitis medicamentosa. What it is? This condition occurs in a patient who takes nasal drops for too long, or often, or in large quantities. The blood vessels become accustomed to the drug; they cannot function normally without the next dose, being constantly in an expanded state. As a result of the developed addiction, the patient needs to be given increasingly larger doses of the drug so as not to suffer from a constant runny nose. In addition, the nasal mucosa dries out from prolonged exposure to drops, fills with crusts, and becomes larger in size. In this case, the patient must be treated for secondary rhinitis with special means.
2. Exceeding the permissible dose leads to the following consequences: the drug begins to penetrate through the blood into the vessels of the whole body, which entails an increase in blood pressure, vision problems, and increased heart rate.

Stages of development of a runny nose

A normal runny nose lasts about 7-10 days. If the pathology is allergic in nature, then the duration of rhinitis is determined by the time of exposure to the allergen. In the development of a runny nose of an infectious nature, there are only three stages of development:

1. Reflex. This is the initial stage of the development of the disease, which lasts several hours. It is characterized by pallor of the mucous membrane. Symptoms such as dryness, burning, and repeated sneezing occur.
2. Catarrhal. The duration of this stage is about 2-3 days. It is characterized by lacrimation, copious discharge, and swelling of the nasal mucosa. The temperature may rise to 37.2-37.5º C.
3. Recovery. The third stage of a runny nose may be final. The mucous membrane is restored, the symptoms disappear. But, since local immunity is still weakened, stopping treatment during this period may contribute to the disease becoming chronic.

Usually, with proper treatment of a runny nose, no problems arise. With normal functioning of the immune system, recovery can occur within 2-3 days. But a weakened body will not be able to cope with pathology so quickly.

Types of drops for children from the common cold - what is the purpose of the drug groups?

A runny nose is a common symptom of many diseases, so successful treatment is aimed at combating the root cause. There are several types of nasal drops:

• vasoconstrictors – relieve swelling, reduce mucus production;
• moisturizing – help restore the functions of the mucous membrane, disinfect cavities;
• homeopathic – relieve congestion;
• oil – help restore nasal breathing, eliminate pathogens;
• antiviral – fight viral agents, support local immunity;
• antibacterial – stop the proliferation of bacteria, reduce the amount of purulent secretion;
• antiseptic – thin mucus, inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms;
• hormonal – relieve swelling, reduce the need to use vasoconstrictors;
• antihistamines – block the action of allergens;
• immunomodulatory – help increase local and general immunity;
• anti-inflammatory – relieve swelling, restore mucous membranes.

What drops to choose for a runny nose for children, in each specific case, should be determined by the doctor. Almost all modern drugs are approved for use in children and, when used correctly, do not cause side effects.

Children's vasoconstrictor drops

With a runny nose, inflammation of the mucous membrane, severe swelling, and increased mucus production are noted. The child's nasal passages become blocked and a feeling of stuffiness appears. Thanks to the use of vasoconstrictor drops, the lumen of blood vessels decreases (their narrowing), which helps reduce swelling and, accordingly, facilitate nasal breathing.

Today, the pharmaceutical industry offers several groups of drops for the treatment of the common cold, containing various active substances:

• naphazoline;
• oxymetazoline;
• xylometazoline;
• phenylephrine.

Products with naphazoline

Among the drugs that contain naphazoline, the following are considered the most effective:

1. "Naphthyzin." These cold drops for children are also effective for nosebleeds. The effect of the drug lasts no more than 4 hours, so it requires four times a day. Children's dosage – 1 drop of 0.01% solution.
2. "Sanorin". Intended for the treatment of various types of rhinitis, used to narrow blood vessels and relieve swelling before rhinoscopy. Treatment of runny nose in children is carried out with a 0.05% solution.

Drops based on oxymetazoline

The effect of drugs with such an active substance lasts more than 10 hours. Usually a 2-time use is prescribed. It is strictly forbidden to increase the recommended dosage to avoid side effects. Most often, to cure rhinitis they use:

1. "Nazivin." Relieves swelling, thins mucus, makes breathing easier. Can be used for children from 1 year of age.
2. "Oxymetazoline." Effectively eliminates congestion and other symptoms of a runny nose.

Preparations with xylometazoline

The effect of drugs with such an active substance is longer - about 10 hours. The recommended frequency of use is 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the disease. For babies, a 0.05% solution is used. The most effective are considered:

1. "Galazolin." Prescribed for a runny nose caused by a viral infection, an allergic reaction, as well as bacterial rhinitis. It reduces swelling, relieves inflammation, redness of the mucous membrane.
2. "Rinostop". In addition to xylometazoline, the drug contains sodium chloride and potassium salts. Thanks to this, nasal discharge becomes less viscous and passes more easily.

Products containing phenylephrine

Nasal drops of this group are recommended for use in children of the first year of life. They tone the walls of blood vessels, reduce allergic swelling, thin out secretions and promote the removal of mucus. “Vibrocil” and “Nazol Baby” are considered the most effective. The first product is also available in the form of a nasal gel.

How do vasoconstrictor nasal drops work?

Vasoconstrictor drugs for the treatment of the common cold belong to the group of adrenergic agonists. Their use makes it possible to stimulate adrenal receptors that are located on the surface of the nasal mucosa. The use of such medications allows you to constrict blood vessels, thereby eliminating swelling, inflammation, nasal congestion, restoring nasal breathing and improving the general condition of the patient. Drugs from this group do not act on the cause; they act symptomatically, that is, they only temporarily relieve the symptoms of rhinitis, but do not treat it. After their effect expires, all symptoms of a runny nose return.

The active components of vasoconstrictor drops for children are called adrenergic agonists. They differ in the duration of the effect and composition, but have almost the same mechanism of action, which is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of rhinitis of different origins. Such drugs are produced in different pharmacological forms: nasal drops, spray, ointment for topical use. The choice of such drugs is quite extensive, so before using them, you definitely need to consult a specialist. Dr. Komarovsky is skeptical about vasoconstrictor drugs and believes that they can do more harm than good. However, in cases where other methods do not help, the doctor also advises seeking help from vasoconstrictor medications, but using them in minimal dosages and for no more than 5 days.

Before choosing vasoconstrictor nasal drops for a child, it is important to correctly determine the dosage. Such medicines contain different amounts of the active substance. So, from the first days of life, children are recommended to look for drops with a dose of 0.01%. A child from 1 year of age can most often be prescribed the drug at a dose of 0.025%, and from 6 to 12 years – 0.05%.

Moisturizing nasal products for children

The most popular way to treat rhinitis in children is the use of moisturizers. For young children they are produced in the form of drops, for older children in the form of sprays. The principle of action of such drugs is very simple: sea salt, which is part of the composition, gets on the inflamed mucous membrane, moisturizes it, tones the blood vessels. As a result, mucus production decreases and nasal breathing normalizes. List of moisturizing drops for runny nose for children over 1 year old:

• "Aquamaris";
• "Aqualor";
• "Salin";
• "Quix".

Homeopathic medicines

The principle of homeopathic treatment is the introduction of a small amount of a substance that provokes symptoms similar to those of a particular disease. As a result, a protective reaction of the body occurs, which tries to fight the drug that has entered the body. As a result, strong immunity is developed, promoting rapid recovery.

All homeopathic medicines require long-term use. To treat a runny nose, use:

• "Delufen";
• "Luffel";
• "Euphorbium Compositum".

Their main advantage is the absence of side effects. These products strengthen local immunity, restore the nasal mucosa and keep it moist. The use of homeopathic drops is possible for any form of rhinitis.

Mechanism of action of vasoconstrictor drops

The mechanism of action depends on the main active ingredient on the basis of which the drops are produced. Here, drugs should be divided into two large categories: drugs based on adrenergic agonists and those containing antiallergic components.

Adrenergic agonists include drugs based on oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, naphazoline and others. These components enter the nasal mucosa and act on certain receptors, which leads to vasoconstriction, reduced swelling and easier breathing.

Drugs with antiallergic components have a similar mechanism of action, but act on different receptors. Quite often they contain a combination of a sympathomimetic and a histamine receptor blocker, which enhances the vasoconstrictor effect and more effectively relieves swelling.

Antibacterial

If bacterial rhinitis develops, drops for the common cold with an antibiotic are prescribed for children. These drugs act directly on the problem: they help destroy pathogenic microorganisms, relieve inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane. The following children's nasal drops for a runny nose have proven effective in combating a runny nose of a bacterial nature:

• "Isofra";
• "Polydex";
• "Bioparox".

The products are used only as prescribed by a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to reduce or increase the dosage of the drug to avoid serious complications.

For babies up to one year old

Before using nasal drops on such young patients, especially infants from birth, it is better to consult a doctor. As a rule, he can prescribe vasoconstrictors, homeopathic and moisturizing agents.

Vasoconstrictors

These drops can be used to treat a runny nose in children under 1 year of age for no more than 3 days. To avoid side effects, you should strictly follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, there is a risk of poisoning the child from the drops, which will lead to dire consequences. Vasoconstrictor drops for children under one year old include the following:

1. Vibrocil – for such small patients, this drug is approved for use only in the form of drops. This drug does an excellent job with green snot, thinning the mucus and bringing it out. It is necessary to irrigate the nose with 1 injection no more than 3 times a day. Before use, we recommend that you read the instructions for Vibrocil drops. The cost of the drug is 160 rubles

   

2. Nazol baby – drop 1 drop into each nasal passage no more than once every 6 hours. You can buy drops at a pharmacy for 130 rubles

   

3. Nazivin – vasoconstrictor drops, the use of which can relieve swelling and eliminate nasal congestion. According to Nazivin's instructions, children up to one year old should take the drug one drop at a time into each passage 3 times a day. The cost of the drug is 157

   

Homeopathic

This group of drugs for infants includes Rinitol Edas 131 (126 r). They are used for the treatment of acute and chronic rhinitis. Drip 3 potassium into each nasal passage 3 times throughout the day.

The photo shows instructions for using Derinat drops for children:

Moisturizing

During therapy, it is necessary to maintain the normal state of the mucous membrane at all times. To prevent it from drying out, it is necessary to use moisturizers. Their composition assumes the presence of sterile sea water, which does not have any side effects. The most effective ones include Aquamarine (130 r) and Salin (130 r).

In the video - children's nasal drops for a runny nose:

Hormonal

In severe forms of allergic rhinitis, as well as in situations where vasoconstrictor drops no longer cope with their task, hormonal nasal agents are prescribed. These drugs contain glucocorticosteroids, which help reduce the body's excessive protective reaction to exposure to allergens. Such drops and sprays for the common cold for children have a local effect and do not enter the systemic bloodstream, which minimizes side effects. The most effective of them:

• "Nasonex";
• "Baconase";
• "Nasobek."

Immunomodulatory

With various forms of runny nose, the immune status of the little patient is not the least important. In addition to the antiviral effect, immunomodulatory drops promote the active development of local immunity, which has a positive effect on the child’s health. Medicines of this kind can be used both for medicinal purposes and for the prevention of viral diseases. Modern pharmacological companies supply the following drugs to pharmacies:

• "Derinat";
• "Poludan";
• "IRS 19".

Anti-inflammatory

One of the main tasks of drops for the common cold is to relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane. Most often, combination products containing an antibiotic and a hormone are used for this purpose. The most effective are considered:

• "Polydex";
• "Sofradex".

Aminocaproic acid can also be classified as anti-inflammatory drugs. It helps reduce inflammation and strengthen blood vessels. It is strictly prohibited to use aminokapron without a doctor’s prescription.

Folk cold drops for children

You can fight various forms of rhinitis with folk remedies. For these purposes, decoctions of medicinal plants that can be instilled into the nose are best suited. Cheap medicinal herbs can be bought at any pharmacy. To prepare a home remedy for a runny nose, you usually use:

• chamomile;
• calendula;
• St. John's wort.

Juices of medicinal plants are no less effective. Here are a few recipes that are good for helping to cope with a runny nose in a child:

Kalanchoe and aloe

These mini-trees are found in almost every home, but not everyone knows about their medicinal properties. When children have a runny nose, it is recommended to drop the juice of these plants into the nose. For this:

1. Two leaves of aloe or Kalanchoe are crushed to a paste.
2. Squeeze the resulting mixture through cheesecloth.
3. The juice is diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 3:1.
4. Use this remedy in the form of drops 2-3 times a day until the condition improves.

Garlic

Regular garlic has a powerful anti-inflammatory and strong bactericidal effect. Drops from snot are prepared as follows:

1. The cloves (3-4 pieces) are peeled and crushed using a garlic press.
2. The resulting mass is poured with olive oil (can be sunflower) and allowed to brew for 7-8 hours.
3. The garlic-oil mixture is filtered and instilled into the child’s nose, 1-2 drops in each nostril.

Such medicinal drops for the runny nose for children can cause slight discomfort, but after 1-2 minutes everything goes away. If the burning does not stop, you need to rinse your nose well with water and do not use this product again.

Which drops are best for children over 2 years old

For children over the age of 2 years, the doctor may recommend the use of Vibrocil, Nazivin, Farmazolin, Otrivin, Rinazolin in appropriate concentrations and dosages.

• Nazol Baby is prescribed to children from 2 to 6 years old, 2-3 drops no more than 3-4 times a day. An interval of at least 6 hours should be maintained between the use of drops.
• Nazol Kids (2-6 years) 1-2 doses of medication every 6 hours. The duration of use of the drug is 3-10 days by prior agreement with the pediatrician.
• Eucabal drops (from 2 to 12 years).
• Meralis (2 years – 6 years).

You can use medications with a vasoconstrictor effect when:

• the child’s nose does not breathe at all;
• increased body temperature and difficulty breathing through the nose;
• inflammatory reactions develop that affect the nasopharynx;
• the first signs of otitis media are observed.

It is important to remember that drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect do not affect the cause of congestion and the development of a runny nose. How to treat a runny nose in children quickly and effectively - read here.

TOP 5 effective drops for children against runny nose

There are a lot of modern medications that help cope with rhinitis as quickly and effectively as possible. How to choose good drops for a runny nose? Which ones are the best? Below are the five most effective drugs for rhinitis:

1. "Aqua-Maris". An effective remedy for treating runny nose in children. Available in two forms: spray and drops. Drops are approved for use in newborns from the first day of life. Thanks to the sea water included in the composition, the nasal passages are quickly cleansed and swelling syndrome is reduced.
2. "Nazol Baby" A modern and quite effective vasoconstrictor drug. It is used for a runny nose caused by an allergic reaction, ARVI and other infectious diseases. Can be used in children up to one year old.
3. "Otrivin Baby." These are effective drops for the common cold for children over one year old. They clean the nasal cavity well, moisturize the mucous membrane, and relieve swelling. For older children they are available in the form of a spray.
4. "Polydex". A combined drug that has a complex effect. It contains an antibiotic, a vasoconstrictor component, and a hormone. Reduces the amount of mucus secreted, helps destroy pathogenic microorganisms, and facilitates nasal breathing.
5. "Derinat." An immunomodulatory drug that promotes tissue regeneration. Relieves inflammation, has an anti-allergic effect, stimulates the immune system, helps remove toxins.

Despite the fact that today you can find a huge number of children's medications for the common cold, you should not self-medicate. Any medicine can cause unwanted side effects, so consult a doctor before use.

Popular children's drugs

Medicines for the treatment of noses in babies, which are the most popular:

• "Aqualor Baby"
  It is made using natural sea water, enriched with microelements beneficial to the body. Used to clean children's noses, relieve swelling and inflammation of the mucous membrane.

• "Otrivin baby." This drug is made on the basis of saline solution. Used to moisturize the inner surface of the nose, treat and prevent rhinitis. Suitable as nasal drops for newborns.

• "Aqua Maris" A medicine based on purified sea water with trace elements of natural origin. It is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for rhinitis of various etiologies.

• "Nazol Baby." A vasoconstrictor based on phenylephrine. The drug has contraindications, which you must read in the instructions when purchasing. Effectively relieves swelling of the mucous membrane. Not recommended for use longer than 3 days.

• "Vibrocil." It is also a drug with a vasoconstrictor effect. It contains phenylephrine and dimethindene. The special smell of the medicine is due to the presence of lavender oil in its composition, which can cause allergies. This drug is not recommended for use as drops for the common cold in children 1 year of age. Suitable for children over six years old.

• "For the nose." The drug has a vasoconstrictor effect. The active substance is xylometazoline. Children under two years of age are a contraindication to the use of the medicine. For children 2–6 years old, use a 0.5% solution.

An important question for treating a runny nose in children is how to properly drip the nose.

Some pediatricians advise first rinsing the nose and then dripping vasoconstrictor drops, while other doctors suggest doing the opposite.

How to properly care for a child’s nose so that the child recovers faster?

If your baby's nose is clogged with mucus, the drops will not be able to interact with the inside of the nose. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully rinse it with salt water before dripping the medicinal drug into the nose.