Swelling of the nasal mucosa treatment in a child

The essence of the disorder - what is swelling of the nasal mucosa?

This term refers to the swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity, which is caused by a strong blood flow. Typically, swelling is accompanied by inflammatory processes.

The nasal mucosa is a barrier that prevents infection from spreading to other organs. Swelling becomes evidence of a struggle with foreign objects or damage that provoked a reflex reaction. In response to danger, vascular permeability increases and blood flows to the organ that needs help.

Causes

Many ENT diseases, both seasonal and not, are accompanied by severe swelling of the nasal mucosa.

This causes people great discomfort. Therefore, the question of how to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa is relevant at any time of the year.

Edema is one of the primary manifestations of the inflammatory process. Thus, the body reacts and protects itself from the effects of certain harmful factors.

It occurs due to active blood flow and production of specific compounds by cells. As a result of this, the permeability of small blood vessels significantly increases, and fluid sweats (penetrates) from them into the intercellular space, thereby causing swelling of the mucous membrane.

Thus, swelling indicates inflammation, which is typical for:

ARVI. Any disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by viruses is commonly called ARVI. The peak activity of all kinds of viruses, including rhinoviruses, occurs in the autumn-spring period, but this does not mean that you cannot catch a cold in the summer.

Sinusitis. This term hides inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses. Depending on which of them are affected, they distinguish between sinusitis (maxillary), frontal sinusitis (frontal) and ethmoiditis (cells of the ethmoid labyrinth). Often they cause thickening of the nasal mucosa.

Allergies. Hypersensitivity to certain substances today occurs in almost every third inhabitant of our planet. In some cases, it manifests itself as difficulty breathing. You can suspect its presence by the presence of itching in the nose and prolonged swelling of its internal membranes.

This may be observed:

constantly with intolerance to dust, components of household chemicals or other substances with which a person comes into daily contact;
annually at the same period, if a person has increased sensitivity to pollen of certain plants.

Surgical interventions and injuries. Despite the small size of the nose, many different surgical interventions can be performed on it, which, in fact, are the same injuries. These include removal of polyps, straightening of the nasal septum, plastic surgery, etc. But after surgery, swelling and pain almost inevitably develop. But all this happens without a runny nose.

Anatomical features of the structure. These include narrowing of the nasal passages, the presence of neoplasms of various natures, and a deviated nasal septum, which often leads to the development of sinusitis. Therefore, it is rare to find people whose inflammation of the nasal mucosa is observed only as a result of the presence of certain anatomical defects.

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Provoking factors - reasons

Typically, swelling is observed during the development of a viral infection or becomes a consequence of hypothermia. In this case, a person develops congestion and other signs of illness. The nasal passages can swell especially quickly in infants. This is due to the high sensitivity of the body and the narrowness of the nasal openings.

In addition, some forms of infection do not immediately cause severe rhinorrhea, itching and sneezing. In the first 1-3 days, the patient may experience only swelling of the mucous membrane. This often leads to incorrect diagnosis.

For respiratory infections, swelling of the nasal mucosa goes away after 5 days. If the pathology becomes bacterial in nature, there is a risk of damage to the sinuses. This leads to the development of sinusitis or sinusitis. Swelling of the sinuses leads to negative consequences - purulent masses can rupture the mucous membrane and penetrate into nearby organs.

Another common factor in the development of pathology is allergies. Under the influence of allergens, dilation and inflammation of the nasal vessels are observed. Due to increased permeability, fluid loss occurs. As a result, swelling develops. Various substances can act as allergens - pollen, medications, food.

Other causes of swelling include the following:

traumatic injuries - can provoke the formation of a hematoma;
hormonal imbalance – causes may be pathologies of the pituitary gland, pregnancy and other factors;
vegetative-vascular dystonia - this disorder can provoke the development of vasomotor rhinitis;
excessive use of vasoconstrictor drops;
enlarged adenoids – provokes chronic edema;
foreign object in the nose;
presence of alcohol dependence.

With a deviated nasal septum and other anomalies in the structure of the nasopharynx, swelling of the bridge of the nose is quite often observed. Sometimes the provoking factors are polyps and cysts, a weakened immune system, diabetes mellitus, and systematic hypothermia of the body.

Causes and symptoms of swelling of the nasal mucosa

The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx contains special cells that protect the body from various infectious diseases. If they are not damaged, then the body is protected from the penetration of bacteria inside. However, if you feel unwell, a situation may arise when the cells of the mucous membranes are not able to cope with the load.

At almost any age, a child may experience problems with nasal breathing, so parents should be prepared for this. The cause of the disease may be allergic reactions. But, as a rule, this is seasonal. In this case, it is very important to identify all kinds of allergens and eliminate the source.

The peak of allergic reactions occurs in the spring and summer months, when different flowers and plants begin to bloom. Allergic rhinitis can occur when pollen settles on a child's body.

Babies have their own peculiarity in the structure of the nasopharynx, so adenoids can be caused by a specific physiological nature. Most often, children who spend a long time in dry buildings and rooms suffer from this. Nasal breathing is impaired due to decreased humidity in the room.

The baby begins to breathe worse through the nose when polyps grow inside the nasopharynx. It is worth noting that polyps lead to a variety of consequences. They appear in school-age children. Although it is very easy to identify, since they force the child to breathe only through the mouth, so he is constantly in a slightly open state.

If germs and viruses get on the mucous membrane, this contributes to the appearance of a severe runny nose and nasal congestion. Each child experiences this disease differently, it all depends on the age of the child. Swelling of the mucous membrane can be caused by staphylococci (bacteria of the Staphylococcaceae family). They cause severe runny nose and cough.

Doctors very often detect swelling of the nasopharynx in children with adenoids. This pathology manifests itself only with overgrown lymphoid tissue and difficulty breathing. Excess tissue blocks the nasal passages and deprives the body of access to oxygen, and therefore negative changes for the body begin to occur in the nasopharynx.

All babies experience swelling differently. If a child has first degree adenoids, then the cause may be unclear. But when the adenoids are in a neglected form, the symptoms make themselves felt. Parents must recognize this pathological condition in a timely manner in order to effectively cope with the problem.

Trauma to the nose can also cause a lot of harm to the child and cause adenoid problems with complications. Damage to the nasal septum increases adverse symptoms.

Negative signs lead to the baby’s health becoming unusable. Although at the initial stage, parents may not notice the symptoms. When the process of the second degree of adenoids begins, pronounced symptoms appear. In particular, we are talking about dryness of the nasopharynx and lips. The mucous membrane begins to dry out, leading to the development of pharyngitis and other complex diseases in the baby.

Despite the fact that adenoids are a very unpleasant disease, symptoms appear gradually, with nasal congestion and runny nose. Also, the child’s nose begins to discharge green mucus and pus. At night, the baby experiences the most health problems. The child may snore during sleep, toss and turn, or be capricious. Third degree adenoids cause changes in voice, speech and hearing. Only a specialist can determine the extent of adenoids. To do this, he carries out diagnostics and analyzes the obtained health data.

Clinical picture

Inflamed tissues interfere with normal air flow, resulting in the nose not breathing. If congestion is a consequence of a viral or bacterial infection, the inflammatory process is accompanied by the following symptoms:

runny nose - discharge may have a clear consistency or purulent nature;
feeling of heat in the nose;
the appearance of dryness and burning;
breathing disorder.

Allergic edema is characterized by the following symptoms:

discharge of clear liquid;
frequent sneezing;
rapid development of congestion.

Sometimes this form of pathology is characterized by a feeling of itching and sore throat. If you remove the influence of the allergen, such manifestations go away quite quickly. Sometimes they are present for quite a long time - most often this is observed with seasonal allergies.

If swelling of the nasal mucosa is caused by other factors - traumatic injuries, tumors, deviated nasal septum, there is most often no discharge. This condition is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and discomfort. Another distinctive sign of edema is snoring.

Methods of therapy - how to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa and bridge of the nose?

Many people are interested in how to relieve swelling. In this situation, conservative and traditional methods of therapy are used. For treatment to be successful, it is very important to see a doctor who can make the correct diagnosis.

General recommendations

So, how to relieve swelling? To cope with swelling, it is imperative to select therapy depending on the cause of the symptom:

In case of allergic edema, you need to stop contact with allergens and rinse your nose with Aqualor or Aquamaris. These drugs successfully cleanse the nasal cavity of irritating substances. You should also take any antihistamine medication - loratadine, tavegil, cetrin. Local antiallergic drugs – nasonex or flixonase – are often prescribed. They help you breathe better.
If the disease is viral in nature, frequent rinsing with saline or saline solution will remove swelling. Doctors often prescribe antiviral drugs - Kagocel, Ingavirin. When the temperature rises, antipyretics are used - Nurofen and Ibuklin. Warming ointments effectively remove swelling.
Bacterial rhinitis requires the use of nasal medications with antibacterial action. These include polydex and sofradex. Doctors also often prescribe immunostimulating drugs - bronchomunal, cycloferon. If the nasal sinuses are swollen, you can rinse with antiseptic solutions - miramistin, furatsilin.
If the nose is damaged, you need to apply cold to the injured area and use vasoconstrictor drugs that will relieve swelling. Systematic rinsing of the nasal cavity is of no small importance. It will help get rid of crusts and blood clots.

The use of physiotherapy will improve the prognosis. The most effective include phonophoresis, which normalizes vascular tone and the functions of the ciliated epithelium. Laser therapy and electrophoresis may also be used. These techniques successfully cope with vascular dystonia.

Before treating a swollen nose, it is very important to consult your doctor. You should not use vasoconstrictor drops all the time if the congestion does not go away for a long time. This will lead to the development of addiction and the appearance of medicinal rhinitis.

Medications

Specific medications should be selected by the doctor depending on the provoking factors. If swelling is a consequence of respiratory pathology, vasoconstrictor drugs will help cope with the disease. They can be used for a maximum of 1 week. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing addiction.

Basic remedies for swelling include the following components:

naphazoline;
xylometazoline;
tramazolin;
oxymetazoline.

These substances are contained in the following preparations:

naphthyzin;
Lazolvan Rino;
Nazivin;
sanorin;
Galazolin.

Preparations that have a natural composition are highly effective. The most effective means include the following:

Pinosol. The medicine has an anti-inflammatory effect and copes with swelling. It contains essential oils of mint, pine and eucalyptus. The substance also contains vitamin E.
Sinupret. This drug is indicated for oral use. It is produced in the form of dragees and syrup. With the help of the medicine it is possible to stimulate the excretion of secretions and cope with swelling.

In some cases, homeopathic medicines help eliminate swelling:

cinnabsin;
delufen;
Euphorbium compositum.

Features of nasal rinsing

Washing helps to cope with swelling. This procedure can be carried out using saline solution or chamomile decoction. To make a useful solution, you need to take 30 g of salt and mix it with a glass of warm water. With the help of the medicine, it is possible to remove mucus, clear the sinuses, eliminate inflammation and achieve disinfection of the respiratory tract.

To carry out the procedure, it is necessary to alternately rinse the left and right nostril with a warm solution. The liquid is administered with a small syringe or syringe without a needle. The manipulation itself lasts 5-10 minutes. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:

Bend over the sink, turn your head so that one cheek is directed towards the floor and the other towards the ceiling.
Place the tip of a syringe in the upper nostril and slowly squeeze out water. It is not recommended to suck in the product. Otherwise, it may get into your throat.
The liquid should pour out through the lower nostril.
After the procedure, you should blow your nose. This will help clear fluid from your sinuses.

Folk remedies against edema

In addition to traditional methods of therapy, you can use effective folk recipes:

Saline solution. This remedy effectively relieves swelling. To prepare it, you need to take 1 small spoon of salt and mix with 500 ml of warm water. To rinse, the resulting solution is poured into one nasal passage and poured out through the other. Thanks to this simple procedure, it is possible to make the mucus more liquid and speed up its removal.
Inhalations with potatoes. To perform the procedure, you need to boil the vegetable in its peel, drain the water and, covered with a thick cloth, inhale the fumes. This should be done until the broth cools down.
Iodine solution. To make it, you need to dissolve only 1 drop of iodine in a glass of warm water. When rinsing your nose, it is important to avoid getting the product inside.
Drops with honey. This remedy can be used if you are not allergic to honey. To do this, the beekeeping product is mixed in equal parts with water and injected into the nose. To relieve swelling, this must be done several times a day. To strengthen the immune system, honey should be taken orally.
Inhalations with essential oils. To obtain a healing mixture, add a few drops of cedar and pine essential oils to hot water. Inhale the fumes of the resulting composition, covered with a towel.
Sea buckthorn oil. This product has a beneficial effect on the condition of the mucous membranes of the nose. The product is instilled 1 drop into each nasal opening.
Herbal decoctions. To cleanse the nose at home, you can use decoctions of chamomile and calendula. These products have pronounced antiseptic characteristics and promote the regeneration of mucous membranes. To make a medicinal decoction, you need to pour a tablespoon of herb with a glass of boiling water. Then the product must be cooled and used to rinse the nose.
Aloe drops. To prepare them, you need to cut and wash the lower leaves of aloe and grind them using a blender. Squeeze the juice from this pulp and combine in equal parts with honey. Use 3 drops three times a day. This treatment quickly relieves swelling and accelerates the healing process of the mucous membranes.

Therapeutic measures

It doesn’t matter whether your nasal congestion is temporary or chronic, it must be treated. As a rule, distraction therapy is used for these purposes. Its essence lies in a certain list of manipulations, thanks to which it is possible to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa and optimize the process of blood flow in the vascular area.

Treatment in adults

How to treat nasal congestion with folk remedies? Foot baths and application of mustard plasters, which are placed on the calves, can eliminate the symptom that has arisen. Hot tea using natural ingredients has a similar effect: raspberries, honey or linden inflorescences. There are times when, to enhance the effect obtained during warming procedures, it is necessary to wear woolen socks on your feet.

Local therapeutic measures involve the use of nasal drops. Here it is worth using homeopathic preparations, which contain essential oils. The duration of their use is not limited, but they are not always able to completely eliminate the unpleasant symptom.

You can drip Kalanchoe extract into your nose for 2-3 days. This remedy will clear the airways and reduce swelling. If you are a supporter of traditional medicine, then such a procedure eliminates nasal congestion after the first use.

There are times when massage helps to forget about nasal congestion without a runny nose. Its main advantages can be considered harmlessness and accessibility. Perform massage procedures in the area of the bridge of the nose using acupressure. The result of such therapy is the optimization of the blood circulation process in the treated area. As a result, swelling of the nasal mucosa decreases.

Another effective treatment method is nasal rinsing. The essence of this technique is to cleanse the nasal passages from dust particles and allergens. In addition, do not forget about moisturizing the nasal mucosa. This is especially true when the air in the room is too dry.

To rinse the nasal passages, you should use not only purified plain water or saline, but also purified sea water. It is best to purchase drugs such as Aquamaris or Marimer.

You can also try to overcome nasal congestion without a runny nose by warming it up, using a blue lamp, a bag of salt or sand. But such a procedure should be carried out only in cases where it is reliably known that the resulting nasal congestion does not imply the accumulation of purulent mucus. Otherwise, during warming up, it can enter the brain and lead to serious complications.

The video explains the causes of nasal swelling without a runny nose:

If the cause of nasal congestion is reliably known, which excludes the presence of purulent contents in the maxillary sinuses, then heating will relieve swelling and make it easier to breathe through the nose. Steam inhalations using potatoes, garlic and essential oils have a similar effect.

Therapy in children

It is always difficult to treat young patients, since it is necessary to select drugs that contain natural ingredients. To eliminate the problem, children are most often prescribed nasal rinsing. For these purposes, it is worth using the following drugs:

Aquamaris, follow the link to read how to rinse a child’s nose with aquamaris;
Aqualor;
Dolphin.

Therapeutic measures aimed at relieving edema involve the use of homeopathic medicines. As a rule, herbal medicines and decoctions of medicinal plants are used.

If swelling occurs as a result of allergies, then it is imperative to include antihistamines in the treatment, which will have a local and systemic effect. Anti-inflammatory drugs should be used in combination with them. At the time of treatment, it is necessary to protect the child from exposure to various allergens and during the course of vitamins.

Folk recipes, of which there are a huge number, can also overcome swelling of the mucous membrane in children. The most effective and safe include:

Rinsing with saline solution. To prepare it, you will need to put a few tablespoons of salt in a glass of boiled water. Using a syringe without a needle into which the solution is drawn, inject the salty ode first into one and then into the other nostril. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to liquefy and quickly remove mucus. This product is approved for use even in pregnant women due to its safety. Here you can read how to rinse a child’s nose with congestion.
Iodine solution. With the help of this remedy it is possible to eliminate swelling in chronic sinusitis. To get it, just add a couple of drops of the main substance to a glass of warm water. Perform the washing procedure as in the previous version. At the same time, make sure that the child does not swallow the solution.
Inhalations using essential oils. Add essential oils in small quantities to boiling water. Here you can use cedar, pine, fir oil. After this, you can perform steam inhalations and inhale the vapors. The number of such manipulations per day is 2-3. Duration – 20 minutes.
Healing herbs also actively eliminate swelling. The best in this regard are chamomile and calendula. To prepare a decoction, you need to take a tablespoon of the presented ingredients and pour boiling water. Place in a water bath and keep there for 20 minutes. When the broth is at room temperature, you can rinse the nasal passages.

Nasal congestion is always a discomfort, but this symptom deserves special attention when there is no nasal discharge. In this case, you should not delay time, but immediately seek medical help. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner and more successful the treatment will be.

Features of the treatment of edema in pregnant women

Nasal swelling during pregnancy is quite common. Usually this disorder is associated with hormonal changes in the body. It is caused by an increase in progesterone levels in the blood and goes away on its own after childbirth. However, sometimes pregnant women develop inflammatory or allergic edema, and this condition requires adequate treatment.

Only a doctor should select treatment for a pregnant woman. It is usually enough to rinse your nose with saline solutions and use Pinosol drops. For viral infections, Viferon suppositories or Gripferon drops may be prescribed.

Vasoconstrictor drugs are prescribed in exceptional cases. Such medications are taken in pediatric dosage for a short period of time - no more than 4-5 days. Most often, experts prescribe children's Nazivin or Sanorin. For swelling of an allergic nature, antihistamines, Vibrocil drops or Flixonase spray can be used.

Swelling of the nasal mucosa is a common disorder that can cause serious consequences. For therapy to be effective, it is necessary to correctly determine the provoking factor for the appearance of this condition. That’s why it’s so important to contact a specialist in a timely manner and strictly follow his recommendations.