How to treat a runny nose and severe cough without fever in a child

Rhinitis is a common symptom of colds or viral diseases. Most often, this sign signals the onset of a serious illness or trauma to the nasal passages. Other causes of a runny nose include bacterial growth inside the nasal passages and respiratory tract, as well as a weakened immune system of the patient. Rhinitis is not always accompanied by acute symptoms. Sometimes the patient may complain of a runny nose and weakness without fever.

Similar symptoms may occur if the patient is hypersensitive to certain medications or if there is an allergic reaction to animal fur, pollen, dust, or certain foods. In addition, the patient may experience impaired function of the eustachian tube due to blockage of the ducts due to prolonged exposure to a dusty room. In any case, if the patient notices a deterioration in health, it is important to know how and with what to treat a runny nose without fever in an adult. Read the answer to this question in today's material.

Why does it happen?

What are the causes of a runny nose without fever in a child? This usually occurs due to:

• viral infection;
• low immunity;
• the beginning of the development of sinusitis;
• prolonged stay in a cold room or outdoors in winter;
• nasal injuries;
• presence of adenoids;
• allergies.

There may be not only a runny nose, but also a cough without fever in a child with a runny nose. In any case, this causes discomfort, so assistance is required.

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Reasons for the development of pathology

The presence in a child of a cough with a runny nose without fever is a sign of an incipient cold or allergy

The main signs of a cold, which can occur when various viruses enter a child’s body, are a runny nose and cough. The baby’s immune system begins to react to pathogenic microorganisms and enter into a peculiar reaction with them.

However, in some cases, problems arise with recognizing the virus and it easily penetrates into the cells of the body. If a bacterial disease develops, an increase in body temperature is immediately noted, but with a viral infection, the indicators remain normal.

In the absence of effective treatment for viral rhinitis, the risk of developing a severe inflammatory process in the sinuses increases, that is, sinusitis develops.

Parents need to understand that pathogenic microorganisms may enter the throat and trachea area.

In such a situation, in the absence of effective treatment, complications may develop in the form of:

The penetration of various viruses into the child’s body significantly disrupts the functioning of the immune system, so the course of such a disease can be supplemented by a bacterial infection. With ARVI, other pathogenic microorganisms present in the child’s body are also activated, which leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the ENT organs.

Parents need to understand that even in the absence of fever with a cough and runny nose, it is imperative to show the child to a specialist who will find out the causes of this condition and prescribe effective treatment.

Useful video - Cough in children: causes, types and treatment

In some cases, the cause of cough and runny nose without fever may be the development of allergic rhinitis. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in children and adults who spend a long time in a dusty room. Allergic rhinitis can occur as a reaction to chemicals, pollen, children's cosmetics and animal dander. In some cases, even healthy children may experience a runny nose and cough without fever due to too dry air in the children's room.

If a cough and runny nose without fever bother a child for a long time, this may be a dangerous signal. An allergic reaction can lead to the development of such a complex disease as bronchial asthma. It is for this reason that it is necessary to show the child to the doctor in time, which will avoid the development of many complications.

Drug treatment

It is important to remember that in childhood it is necessary to use various medications only after consultation with a specialist.

To combat a viral infection, antiviral drugs are usually used, since without their help it is unlikely to achieve a positive result.

• The following drugs have a good effect in the treatment of viral diseases: Ingavirin, Remantadine, Isoprinosine, Ribavirin, Arbidol.
• Such antiviral drugs can be used in children from the first day of their birth. In order to activate the body's strength to fight the disease during drug therapy, interferonogenesis inducers are prescribed: Laferon, Cycloferon, Viferon, Anaferon.
• A severe cough and nasal congestion cause children a lot of inconvenience and anxiety, so it is necessary to get rid of unpleasant symptoms. To eliminate nasal congestion and restore breathing, experts prescribe the use of the following medications: Tizin, Farmazolin, Nazivin, Galazolin. It is important to remember that such vasoconstrictor drops are allowed to be used for no more than 5 days, otherwise the risk of developing allergic rhinitis increases. If a child is bothered by a wet cough, treatment should be carried out using medications that help dilute mucus and remove it from the respiratory tract.
• The following drugs have a good effect in the fight against wet cough: ACC, Mucaltin, licorice root tincture.
• If a child is bothered by a dry cough, drugs such as Libexin, Pertussin and Tusuprex are usually used to eliminate it.
• In some cases, a child may suffer from a prolonged cough combined with nasal congestion, but without fever. In such a situation, it is recommended to give the child herbal breast milk, however, this must be done after consulting a doctor. The fact is that such a collection has a suppressive effect on cough, which can disrupt the process of sputum discharge and cause the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs.
• Often a cough and runny nose without fever is a manifestation of an allergic reaction against the background of an inflammatory process in the body. In such a situation, to eliminate tissue swelling and relieve an allergic reaction, the following antihistamines are prescribed: Loratadine, Zaditen, Suprastin, Tavegil.

Traditional methods of treatment

The best folk recipes for treating a runny nose and cough in a child

At home, you can treat a child’s runny nose and cough using folk remedies:

• You can use steam inhalation, when the child inhales the emanating steam from boiled potatoes. To do this, you need to thoroughly wash the root vegetable and boil it. After this, you should slightly tilt the child’s face over the emanating steam, covering himself with a towel on top. He must breathe over the steam for 15-20 minutes, and this procedure is preferably carried out for older children.
• If a cold is accompanied by a runny nose, then homemade nasal drops can be used to relieve nasal congestion. For this, it is recommended to use medicinal plants such as aloe and Kalanchoe, as well as garlic and onions.
• If parents decide to prepare drops from Kalanchoe, then it is best to use a young plant no older than 3-5 years. The squeezed juice must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 and a few drops of the prepared product should be dripped into each nasal passage. It is important to remember that during treatment it is not recommended to combine aloe juice with medications such as Sanorin and Naphthyzin, since there is a danger of developing sinusitis.
• Inhalations with a nebulizer based on soda and medicinal herbs give a good effect for a productive cough and runny nose. At the moment of inhalation of the medicinal solution, the mucous membrane is moistened and the muscles of the bronchi are relaxed, which allows sputum to easily exit the respiratory tract.

Other therapies

When treating a child with a cough and runny nose without fever, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

1. it is necessary to maintain optimal humidity in the children's room and this can be done with regular ventilation
2. The air temperature in the room should be maintained no higher than 20 degrees
3. It is important to organize the child’s drinking regime
4. It is recommended to maintain proper and nutritious nutrition, excluding spicy and hot foods from the diet
5. During the day, it is fashionable to rinse the child’s nose more often with saline or saline solution
6. It is necessary to fill the child’s diet with vegetables and fruits

It is possible to improve blood circulation in the chest area and speed up the discharge of sputum when coughing with the help of warm compresses. For this purpose, you can use boiled potatoes, honey, flour and vegetable oil. All ingredients are mixed together and the resulting mass is applied to the child’s chest area for several hours. After time, the compress is removed from the chest and the baby is carefully wrapped.

It is important that during illness the child consumes as much fluid as possible.

You can offer your baby rosehip decoctions, compotes, tea with lemons, cranberry or lingonberry juice. Decoctions of medicinal plants such as oregano, coltsfoot, plantain and thyme provide a good effect in the fight against cough without fever.

It is necessary to treat a child only after consultation with a specialist, since self-medication can further aggravate the baby’s condition and cause the development of many complications. If a child has an allergic runny nose and cough, then, first of all, it is necessary to identify the allergen and completely protect the child from it.

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Diagnostics

To identify the cause of a runny nose without fever in a child, a doctor performs a personal examination. The specialist asks about complaints and, if necessary, sends you for tests and consultation with an otolaryngologist. Sometimes the following studies are required:

When the causes of a runny nose without fever in a child are established, the doctor can prescribe treatment. In each case, his method may be different. The main thing is that therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease.

Colds

When infected with viral pathogens, the child's body temperature rises. Thus, the body starts the process of producing interferon. But with weakened immunity, inflammation occurs against the background of normal temperature indicators. In this case, parents must not only cure the disease, but also strengthen the baby’s defenses.

In addition to cough and runny nose, acute respiratory diseases are manifested by the following symptoms:

• sneezing, lacrimation;
• sore throat;
• headache;
• rapid fatigue;
• irritation and whims.

Without treatment, the inflammatory process descends to the lower respiratory organs and is complicated by a secondary infection.

Consequences

If there is no timely treatment, complications are likely. This usually happens when parents do not see the danger of a runny nose without a fever in the child. The consequences include the appearance of:

The development of various ailments requires drug treatment prescribed by a doctor. Independent measures of therapy can lead to a worsening of the situation. Negative consequences also occur when a child coughs without fever with a runny nose.

Treatment of cough and runny nose in children according to Komarovsky

The content of the article

At Dr. E.O. Komarovsky is often asked whether it is possible to walk with a child if he has a cough or runny nose in winter. What does the popular pediatrician think about this? The pediatrician is confident that walks have a beneficial effect on the little patient’s condition and only speed up the recovery process. However, cold air can provoke local hypothermia in the nasopharynx and throat, so it is best to take walks only when the temperature outside is above zero. As an alternative to walking, it is recommended to ventilate the room at least 3 times a day and maintain the required level of air humidity in it - at least 60%.

Care

To cure a severe runny nose in a child without fever, it is necessary to ensure compliance with simple rules:

1. Drinking plenty of fluids is necessary.
2. It is important to maintain strict bed rest.
3. You need to eat light food.
4. The baby should be in the crib in the correct position at an angle of 45 degrees. This will minimize mucus buildup in your sinuses.
5. The children's room should have fresh air and high humidity. This is necessary to protect the nasal mucosa from drying out.

First aid

How to help if a child has a runny nose without a high fever? First aid is as follows:

1. The nasal passages should be cleared of mucus. The child must blow his nose.
2. If he cannot do this, a syringe or aspirator is used.
3. After removing easily accessible mucus, you need to proceed to the substance accumulated on the back wall of the nose. For this purpose, use saline solution or sea salt solution. The product should be dripped into each nasal passage 2 times a day.
4. Humidification of the air where the child is is required.
5. Drinking plenty of fluids is necessary.
6. You need bed rest and no contact with people.
7. It is important that the food is light. It should not include fried or fatty foods.

Foreign body in the respiratory tract

The child may inhale a small object or stick it into the nostril with a finger. After this, one-sided nasal congestion, sneezing, dry cough without fever, runny nose with a putrid odor, and headaches appear.

Examine your child's nostrils with a flashlight. If the foreign body is shallow, follow these steps:

• ask your baby to breathe through his mouth;
• explain how to exhale sharply through a clogged nostril (covering the healthy one with your finger);
• if the child feels the object moving, try again;
• Bring ground black pepper to your baby's face to induce sneezing.

It is strictly forbidden to rinse your nose with water, pinch the sore nostril, or try to pull out an object with tweezers or your fingers. These actions will push the foreign body even deeper into the airways.

When an object remains in the nasal passage for a long time, rhinoliths - phosphate stones - are deposited around it.

Medical assistance consists of examining the respiratory tract, local anesthesia of the nasopharynx, and removing the object with special instruments. After the procedure is completed, the otolaryngologist prescribes anti-inflammatory treatment.

Treatment

How to treat a runny nose without fever in a child? Rhinitis is considered a consequence of some process, so therapy is directed to the cause of the condition, and then to the consequences in the form of a runny nose:

1. The doctor prescribes antiviral or antibacterial agents, it all depends on the etiology of the runny nose.
2. For local therapy, drugs are used that reduce mucus secretion and improve the condition of the nose to facilitate the child’s breathing.
3. Vasoconstrictor drops are effective, especially helping with viral infections. You should not exceed the period of taking the drug, otherwise addiction will occur. “Nazivin”, “Sanorin”, “Otrivin baby” are prescribed.
4. Antihistamines are used to reduce swelling. They also help with allergic rhinitis. Diazolin, Loratadine, and Suprastin are often prescribed.
5. Oxidizing agents are used. The drugs help with infection. With silver ions, the removal of microorganisms from the nasal passages is accelerated. A popular remedy is “Protargol”.
6. Local antibiotics are also used. They help in the treatment of bacterial rhinitis.
7. Treatment of cough, runny nose without fever in a child can be performed using physiotherapy. Quartz and UHF help. Laser therapy is recognized as one of the most successful.

Do not ignore the appearance of a runny nose. It should be borne in mind that the condition is aggravated by other symptoms. Likely to appear:

For these symptoms, complex therapy is required. It is aimed at getting rid of all signs.

Simple methods for treating a runny nose without fever in a child

It is advised to warm your nose. This is not difficult to do, you just need to heat the bag with added salt and boiled eggs. To warm up, it is recommended to use a reflector lamp; the child should draw in warm air through his nose, this will warm him up.

It is recommended to use Protargol drops, they are an oxidizing agent, and with the help of the medicine you can remove bacteria from the nose. Protargol contains silver. Such drops must be stored in a dark container. Remember that Protargol cannot be kept for more than 5 days; all the active components contained in it are destroyed.

A runny nose can be cured with chamomile decoction, mineral water, sea water; it should be dropped into the nose. The drops cleanse the nose and have a positive effect on the mucous membrane.

Most often, nasal congestion is observed in children with an acute respiratory infection. The infant cannot suckle at the breast, constantly abandons it, and is capricious. In this situation, you need to constantly ensure that the child can breathe normally through his nose. Before feeding your baby, clean your nose; you can suck out mucus using a special bulb. When a child has a large number of crusts, such procedures will not help.

So, it is necessary to pay attention to a runny nose without fever, it does not go away without a trace, there can be serious complications, it is important to avoid them in time, for this you need to treat a runny nose in all ways. Be careful with various drops that can seriously harm your child's health.

ethnoscience

For a runny nose without fever, a child 1 year of age or older can be helped by folk remedies, which are also effective. But it is important to be careful and not self-medicate. It is important that the doctor determines the etiology of rhinitis. Traditional medicine can be used only on the recommendations of a doctor:

1. Chamomile decoction is used for rinsing.
2. Warm herbal teas help. To prepare them, fish, raspberry leaves, and honey are used.
3. Inhalations over potatoes are effective.
4. Warm foot baths with tangerine or orange oil.

Symptomatic therapy

To make breathing easier, instill vasoconstrictor drops into your nose (Vibrocil, Otrivin, Nazol Baby). Remember, the maximum course of treatment with the drug is 5 days. With longer therapy, the lining of the sinuses becomes dry and vulnerable to secondary infection.

Monitor the air temperature and humidity level in the room. If the norm is not met (18-20°C, 50-70%, respectively), adjust the power of the heating boiler and hang a wet towel on the radiator.

If a child complains of dryness and sore throat, moisten the mucous membrane with inhalation. Such procedures are indicated for children over two years of age, in the absence of high fever and a tendency to nosebleeds.

Symptomatic treatment can be carried out using traditional medicine. To reduce the intensity of a dry cough, give your child warm milk with the addition of honey, butter, and alkaline mineral water. Do foot baths, drainage massage, rubbing your back and chest.

Drops and sprays

Nowadays many types of drops and sprays for the common cold are sold, even for children under one year old. When using drops, it must be taken into account that they have only a symptomatic effect. This means that they eliminate the feeling of stuffiness and rhinorrhea, but do not eliminate the cause of the runny nose. The best ones include the following drops and sprays:

1. "Brizolin". They have a vasoconstrictor effect, so they help relieve swelling. 2-3 drops in each nasal passage 3 times a day, for 5 days.
2. "Vibrocil." Helps with swelling and allergies.
3. "Otrivin baby." In addition to the vasoconstrictor effect, they have a cooling effect due to the presence of menthol in the composition.
4. "Aqua Maris" The nasal cavity is cleared of accumulated mucus by liquefying it. Due to the moistening of the mucous membrane, nasal breathing is ensured.
5. "Aqualor baby" Drops wash the nose of mucus, bacteria and viruses.
6. "Nazol baby." The product has a decongestant effect, relieving the feeling of nasal congestion.

During the treatment of chronic runny nose, it is important to increase the body's defenses. For this, immunomodulators are used, for example, “Imunofan” or “Immunal”. Breathing exercises, massage of bioactive points, and sanatorium treatment are also required.

A child has a cough and runny nose without fever - What to do?

Colds are often diagnosed in childhood and especially in infants. The main reason for the appearance of cough with runny nose in children under one year of age is the clearance of various contaminants from the respiratory tract, which is considered normal.

In older children, cough, runny nose and fever become the main signs of the development of colds in the body. In some cases, the disease occurs without fever and this can happen for various reasons. What should parents do if their child has a cough and runny nose without fever, and what treatment methods should they prefer?

Inhalations

These are therapeutic procedures in which medicine is inhaled. Inhalation treatment ensures the supply of the drug to the organs of the respiratory system, which become ill with a runny nose. Therefore, inhalations are considered an effective method of therapy. If they are performed correctly and in a timely manner, you will be able to recover without the use of systemic antibiotics.

Procedures are performed using nebulizers or steam inhalers. They also use household appliances - pots or kettles. Regardless of the method of performing inhalation during therapy, inhalation is performed through the nose and exhalation through the mouth. The choice of product, duration of the procedure, contraindications and other nuances depend on the type of device used.

Nebulizers are often used in treatment. These are devices in which the medicine is broken down into droplets and turned into a mist, which the child inhales through the nose through a tube. The temperature of the product does not increase, since the transformation is carried out under the influence of ultrasound, a membrane or a compressor. Inhalation with such equipment can be performed at different stages of a runny nose and at any age. The main thing is to follow the rules:

Due to the characteristics of the device, not all remedies used for a runny nose can be used. Herbal infusions, essential oils and various suspensions, even with small particles, are prohibited. Nebulizers, which have ultrasound that turns the medicine into mist, do not use antibiotics.

Inhalation of antibiotics is performed only with compressor or membrane nebulizers. Antiseptics (Miramistin, Furacilin), restorative medications (Tonsilgon, Rotokan), and anti-inflammatory medications (Budesonide) can be used for children. You can soften and moisturize tissues with a runny nose using inhalations with mineral water and saline.

Nasal rinsing

Procedures are performed to cleanse the nasal sinuses of mucus and normalize the respiratory process. This procedure, when performed regularly and correctly, reduces burning and dryness in the nasal cavity, as it moisturizes the mucous membrane. Substances in rinsing agents heal damaged, inflamed tissue. With antibacterial solutions, the mucous membrane is disinfected, protecting against infection.

There are 2 ways to rinse your nose. The first is used in the initial stages of the disease, when there are no symptoms of the disease from other organs. To perform rinsing, the child should take the solution into his right palm and close one nostril with the fingers of his left hand. Then you need to tilt your head down and draw in the liquid with your free nostrils. Then the solution is spat out and the procedure is performed from the second nostril.

The second method is used as the disease progresses. This method can be used in the treatment of young children, since the main actions are performed by adults. The procedure is performed as follows:

1. The head must be lowered, and in the meantime the parent must inject the solution into the nose with a special device. A medical syringe, a small syringe, or a rinsing kit can be used for this.
2. The solution is injected without strong pressure into the right nostril. The mouth should be open and the tongue should stick out. Adults need to monitor the process, as the child may choke on the liquid.
3. The procedure is performed until the liquid entering the nose is in the mouth. Then the solution is spat out and you can blow your nose.
4. Then the manipulation is carried out for the second nostril.

Heat compresses

These procedures improve blood circulation in tissues, which activates the restoration of structures painful from inflammation. Heat compresses also reduce pain. They must be carried out based on simple rules:

1. Procedures are not carried out at temperatures above 36.6 degrees. You cannot apply a compress if a runny nose occurs with a purulent sore throat.
2. The application is applied to the bridge of the nose and maxillary sinuses. They also warm up the feet with compresses.
3. It is not advisable for children under 2 years of age to apply compresses.

Using a potato compress is helpful. To do this, you need to boil a few potatoes and then mash them. Add 2 tbsp to it. l. vegetable oil and 2-3 drops of iodine.

Prevention

Simple preventative measures can help prevent a runny nose:

1. It is important not to get too cold.
2. It is necessary to strengthen the immune system.
3. During outbreaks of acute viral infections, you need to be less in crowded places and also use protective equipment.
4. There are now vaccines that protect against the common cold.
5. Avoid exposure to the allergen if it exists. Allergies can manifest themselves to plant pollen, animal dander, and insects.

Is it possible to bathe a child with a runny nose without fever? This procedure is not prohibited. The causes of a runny nose are different, but this is not always a sign of pathology. If rhinitis develops, the child should be taken to a doctor to check the cause of the condition and the need for treatment.