A 6-month-old child has a stuffy nose, what should I do?

Non-infectious causes

Nasal obstruction can be eliminated only if the cause of blockage of the nasal canals is identified and eliminated. If you have a stuffy nose on one side for several weeks or months, most likely the cause is a non-infectious pathology. Moreover, difficulty breathing may be a consequence of defects in the intranasal structures or congenital diseases.

Oncological diseases

Oncological diseases are almost asymptomatic, so signs of breathing problems in the first couple of days are weakly expressed. However, as the pathology progresses, the overgrown tissues block the airways, which leads to obstruction of the nasopharynx. Tumors can destroy surrounding tissues and thereby cause discomfort in patients.

If a person cannot breathe through only one nostril for a long time, the reason for this could be:

• angiofibroma is a benign neoplasm that occurs between the soft palate and the posterior wall of the nasopharynx;
• myxoma - a small lump covered with mucous membrane; is formed mainly in the nasal cavity, which is why the patient cannot breathe through the right or left nostril;
• carcinoma is a malignant tumor that rapidly progresses, destroying the surrounding soft and bone tissue.

Physical and chemical carcinogens are the main provoking factors that increase the risk of malignant tumors by 3 times.

As the tumor grows, the symptoms of nasopharyngeal obstruction only increase. At the initial stages of development of the pathology, the patient has blockage in only one nostril. If the tumors are not eliminated in time, they will block the choanae, which will lead to complete blockage of the airways.

Allergy

When an allergic reaction to the action of irritating substances occurs, a person almost always experiences symptoms of rhinitis. The fact is that when the nasal mucosa comes into contact with allergens (dust mites, fluff, wool), inflammation occurs. Swelling of the soft tissues leads to obstruction of the hone and, accordingly, obstruction of the nasopharynx. In this regard, when breathing through the nose, either the left or the right nostril may become blocked.

Difficulty breathing, watery eyes, lack of fever and itching in the nasal cavity are the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Its development can be triggered by:

• household dust;
• animal dander;
• wool and fluff;
• fungal spores;
• plant pollen;
• the smell of perfume;
• household chemicals.

Inadequate treatment of allergic rhinitis can lead to the development of bronchial asthma, otitis media, conjunctivitis and purulent sinusitis.

Vasomotor rhinitis

Vasomotor rhinitis is a disease characterized by obstruction of the nasal canals, which is associated with impaired vascular tone. If you constantly have one nostril blocked for no apparent reason, it is likely that the cause is an inadequate reaction of the mucous membrane to the action of ordinary physiological factors - cold, extreme temperatures, dust, etc.

Chronic nasal congestion, lack of smell and a feeling of dryness in the nasopharynx are the main manifestations of vasomotor rhinitis.

The development of vasomotor rhinitis is based on a violation of the excitability of the peripheral or central parts of the nervous system. In this regard, the ciliated epithelium that covers the nasopharynx cannot adequately respond to the action of specific or nonspecific stimuli. If the patient does not breathe through the nose even when using decongestants (vasoconstrictor medications), in most cases this indicates the development of a neurogenic (vasomotor) runny nose.

Treatment and prevention of nasal congestion

A symptom such as nasal congestion in infants, especially in newborns, becomes a real problem for new parents. It prevents the baby from not only breathing fully, but also from eating. There are many reasons for the condition. And it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a cold. Often the nose does not breathe, and there is no mucus or snot. Let's consider the main causes of congestion and treatment methods.

Runny nose with snot - colds and viruses

The situation when, after giving birth, a mother notices with alarm that the child’s nose is not breathing is not uncommon. To properly treat a runny nose, it is important to determine its cause:

• Physiological rhinitis. In most cases, this condition is not a pathology and is explained by the structural features of the nose of babies under one year old and the narrowness of the nasal passages. The mucous membrane is not fully formed. Therefore, a newborn and even a month-old baby breathes poorly. At this stage, there may be slight mucous discharge and swelling of the nasopharynx. This is the norm. Physiological rhinitis can be distinguished from a cold by the discharge. With a cold, it is liquid, constantly flowing snot, turning into thicker ones. A baby with a cold completely loses the ability to breathe through the nose, while with physiological rhinitis, even when swelling of the mucous membrane develops, the ability to breathe through the nose is partially preserved.
• Insufficiently humid air in the room, which leads to drying of the secretion on the mucous membrane. The resulting crusts cause the child to suffocate, begin to sniffle, and breathe heavily through his nose.
• Clothes that are too warm or the temperature is too high can cause the baby to sweat and overheat. As a result, immunity decreases and a viral infection develops, accompanied by a runny nose. The newborn is suffocating and cannot breathe through his nose.
• Teething. This process involves not only the oral mucosa, but also the nasal mucosa. It becomes inflamed and swollen. The situation when a baby wakes up from nasal congestion while teeth are growing and becomes capricious is familiar first-hand to every mother.
• Sensitivity of a newborn to the action of allergens, including dust, pet hair, feathers, fluff of pillows and blankets, mites, detergents, washing powders, pollen. Therefore, parents should be very responsible about the cleanliness of the children's room and try to protect the baby from contact with irritants.
• Congenital anomalies of the nasopharynx, leading to partial or complete obstruction. Such pathologies are extremely rare.
• Adenoiditis. Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil in infancy is an isolated phenomenon. This may be due to infections or allergens.
• Complications after viral and bacterial infections. Most often, infants experience inflammation of the ethmoid bone (ethmoiditis) and the maxillary sinuses (sinusitis).

Adenoids are the cause of congestion.
Nasal congestion in a newborn cannot be ignored. It prevents the baby from breathing, sleeping, and eating normally, disrupting the regularity of life and the peace of mind of the whole family.

We need to figure out what caused this condition. Then seek help from a pediatrician.

Warming up

In conditions not complicated by other symptoms, warming the nose will help restore breathing. Boiled chicken eggs or heated table salt are suitable for these purposes. Two eggs that have not yet cooled down are applied to the wings of the nose on the right and left sides and heated for 5–10 minutes. Salt is heated in a frying pan and wrapped in cloth. Before you start doing thermal treatments for your baby, try applying salt or eggs to yourself. The child should be comfortable.

You can warm up your baby by steaming his feet. Add salt to a bowl of hot water. For children over 3 years old, you can take mustard. The feet are immersed in water and covered with a blanket on top. The procedure time is 10–15 minutes. Then wipe your feet and put on warm socks. Children under one year old can warm their feet under running warm water for 1–2 minutes. Thermal procedures are contraindicated at elevated body temperatures.

Drug-induced rhinitis

With this pathology, a stuffy nose in the absence of a runny nose is the most characteristic symptom. As in the case of drying out mucus in the nose, drug-induced rhinitis is a consequence of parental violation of treatment rules, in particular the use of vasoconstrictors. This is an indicative situation when parents want to help the child, but only make things worse.

The cause of drug-induced rhinitis is atrophy of the nasal mucosa with constant exposure to vasoconstrictors. As addiction to the medicine develops, instilling such drops first ceases to have an effect, and then itself leads to difficulty in nasal breathing. At the same time, the drying effect of decongents is preserved, and snot does not flow.

The only significant sign of medicinal rhinitis is the constant instillation of vasoconstrictor drops into the child.

Nazol Baby - nasal vasoconstrictor drops for children. Such drugs do not cure the disease, but only temporarily relieve swelling of the mucous membrane. With prolonged use, they also cause complications.

Dangers of rhinitis medicamentosa:

1. Transition to chronic atrophic rhinitis;
2. Irreversible changes in the nasal mucosa;
3. Permanent loss of smell.

If a child develops medicinal rhinitis, parents should stop giving their baby vasoconstrictor drops. It won’t be worse anyway - the mucous membrane is already swollen, the nose is stuffy due to the drops. But within a few days (up to a week), the functioning of the mucous membrane will be restored. It is possible to discontinue decongestants gradually, reducing their quantity and frequency of use, but such treatment will be quite long, although less severe.

A child’s prolonged runny nose and/or difficulty in nasal breathing is a reason to consult a doctor. Prolonged self-medication can cause serious health problems in the future.

Irrigation as the main method of treatment

Minor and severe runny nose in a child begins to be treated with irrigation. This is irrigation of the nasal mucosa with saline solutions or the use of similar sprays. What does this give to the child? There are several positive effects:

1. Mechanical removal of viruses, bacteria and other pathogens from the mucous membrane that support inflammation. There are no pathogens - inflammation subsides.
2. Mucociliary transport improves. This is a physiological protection of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, which is provided by the “inside-out” movement of the cilia.

Preparations that are suitable for irrigation are Aqualor Baby, sea water, saline solution. They are gentle and provide a long-lasting effect.

How to get rid of chronic nasal congestion

1. Swelling of the mucous membrane can be removed by taking a hot foot bath or putting mustard plaster in your socks. Drinking hot drinks with berries, raspberries, honey and warming procedures have a similar effect.
2. Massaging the wings of the nose and bridge of the nose improves blood circulation.
3. Inhalation of essential oils - pine, mint, fir.
4. Rinse with sea salt, saline solution or herbal decoction.

At the early stage of inflammation, heating with bags of salt or sand can be used. But this procedure is dangerous and not recommended, since heating can lead to the spread of infection to other parts of the head.

Causes of runny nose and mechanisms

As a rule, a runny nose does not occur in a 6-month-old child who is exclusively breastfed, because the baby receives protective antibodies contained in breast milk.

If for some reason a woman feeds with formula, then the child becomes defenseless against viruses that are constantly in the air. There are especially many of them in the autumn-winter period, when the incidence of cold rhinitis in infants peaks.

In more than half of the cases in a 6-month-old child, a runny nose is associated with rhinoviruses. They lead to acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, the vessels dilate and plasma comes out of them. For this reason, nasal congestion (swelling of the mucous membrane) and copious discharge (“snot”) appear.

In a six-month-old child, a runny nose also threatens:

• sinusitis - transient inflammation of the epithelium lining the paranasal sinuses;
• adenoiditis - inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil, with draining mucus leading to constant irritation of the back wall of the pharynx. Therefore, a runny nose and cough are combined with each other.

Adenoiditis does not require special treatment. It goes away after the rhinitis is eliminated. The only recommendation is to irrigate the nasal passages with saline or sea salt solution.

A runny nose in a child under one year of age is always severe, because... The nasal cavity has a small volume, the nasopharynx is flattened, and adequate toileting of the nasal cavity is very difficult. Therefore, even moderate inflammation leads to serious breathing problems, refusal to eat and other conditions. The baby needs help, and we will tell you how to provide it correctly.

Common Causes

In order to eliminate the manifestation of such an unpleasant symptom, you need to understand and find out why the baby has a stuffy nose. It is worth noting that both external irritants and infectious diseases can provoke nasal congestion.

• If the immune system is not fully functioning, it will not be able to repel the attack of viruses. The development of viral diseases can be triggered by hypothermia of the body, which is why the peak occurrence of colds occurs in the cold seasons.
• Difficulty breathing can be caused by inflammation of the adenoids. During colds, they increase in volume and close the nasal passage.
• In infancy, a runny nose can be a specific reaction of the body to teething.
• Children prone to allergic reactions are at high risk of developing allergic rhinitis. Difficulty in breathing often manifests itself along with sneezing, lacrimation, and mucous discharge from the nose.

The most common causes of prolonged nasal congestion include:

1. Dry indoor air. The children's room must be regularly ventilated, and in winter it is also necessary to artificially humidify the air in the room.
2. Acute viral rhinitis. Often accompanied by a runny nose.
3. Herpetic lesions of the nasal cavity.
4. Bacterial rhinitis.
5. Pathological processes associated with the proliferation of fungi of the genus Candida inside the nasal cavity.
6. Inflammation of the sinuses.
7. Rhinitis of allergic nature.
8. Vasomotor rhinitis.

Currently, allergic rhinitis is a common problem. Children of all ages are increasingly faced with this pathology. Many experts attribute this to the fact that the child comes into contact with household chemicals and medications literally from the first days of life. It is interesting to know that a predisposition to developing allergies is often formed in artificially raised children. Rhinitis of this type often appears in the spring months, because at this time trees are actively blooming, the pollen of which penetrates the respiratory tract. It is worth noting that patients with allergic rhinitis have a certain predisposition to the development of bronchial asthma.

When a child's nose can't breathe

Babies under three months have unadapted nasal mucosa. They are characterized by a physiological runny nose, when nasal congestion in an infant is accompanied by a mucous transparent discharge. This is a vascular reaction. Helping the baby to better adapt to the bacterial, viral and dust environment of the outside world (see runny nose in a newborn).

There is no need to treat such a runny nose if the child sucks without difficulty, does not worry and does not have a fever. Something has to be done when the baby refuses the breast or cannot suckle due to problems with nasal breathing. In any case, it is advisable to show the baby to the pediatrician.

• A child under one year old may have a stuffy nose if he suffers from a viral infection or bacterial rhinitis. Such conditions can be complicated by otitis media.
• Children after one and a half years old may already suffer from ethmoiditis, when prolonged nasal congestion is accompanied by an increase in temperature and purulent discharge from the nose.
• Older children suffer from the same diseases as adults.

Prevention

A runny nose, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than to treat. Following simple recommendations keeps the respiratory organs and mucous membranes healthy. Prevention measures include:

Rinse the nose with saline solution. The procedure allows you to clear the mucous membrane of foreign bodies that may cause congestion.

The activity must be performed carefully so that liquid does not get from the nasal passages into the auditory passages, since this phenomenon provokes otitis media. Safe rinsing products are AquaMaris, Moreal, Vibrolor, AquaMaster.

The drugs can be used to treat and prevent such diseases. Daily walks and ventilation of the premises are important. A runny nose appears in a weak body. Walking helps strengthen your immune system. There should also be fresh air in working and living areas, so ventilation is considered a necessary measure. Exercise is beneficial. Thanks to breathing exercises, running, and race walking, not only the condition of the muscles and body improves. The body will be protected from colds. Swimming, aerobics, dancing are useful. “Derinat” is a medicine that eliminates the causes of diseases related to decreased immunity in adults and children. The medicine should be used for prevention.

Modern standard of treatment for children's runny nose

We looked at what methods are used in the treatment of rhinitis. Now let’s look at the modern model of helping a child with a runny nose. It looks like a considered use of irrigation therapy and safe decongestants.

Let us examine in detail how to treat a runny nose in a 6-month-old child.

The first is irrigating the nasal cavity with a saline solution (isotonic, for example, Marimer, or hypertonic, for example, Sea Salt).

The second is spraying Oxymetazoline spray. In addition, a number of studies have shown that Oxymetazoline, in addition to its vasoconstrictor effect, also exhibits a direct antiviral effect, because disrupts the attachment of these microorganisms to the epithelial cells of the nose.

It is worth remembering that babies cannot blow their nose yet, so before starting complex treatment, it is necessary to remove accumulated mucus with a special aspirator. You can use both manual instruments (“Elephants”) and electric ones. The latter are more effective because create higher negative pressure.

Aspirators are used to remove liquid “snot” that has clogged the baby’s nose. Remove dried secretions with an ear stick, previously soaked in any baby massage oil.

Effective means

In addition to medications, you can use effective home remedies for nasal congestion:

1. Warming up with boiled eggs works great. They should be applied on both sides of the nose, to the maxillary sinuses. The heat should not cause discomfort, otherwise you may get burned. It is advisable to perform the procedure at night, for 10-15 minutes for 10 days. This will reduce swelling, but if there is pus, the method should not be used.
2. Kalanchoe juice helps. It must be instilled into the nose, and after a few days the unpleasant symptom disappears.
3. You can use inhalation with potatoes. It is necessary to boil the vegetable, drain the water and breathe over its vapors, covering yourself with a blanket. The procedure lasts 5-10 minutes.
4. Herbal lotions help. Gauze swabs soaked in the broth are inserted into the nostrils for 5 minutes. You can use a mixture of herbs: 1 tsp. linden, St. John's wort, chamomile. The mixture should cook for 20 minutes.
5. Water with sea salt. The product relieves swelling. For 1 glass of water you need a drop of iodine and a pinch of salt. The product should be instilled into both nostrils for several days.

Traditional methods of treatment are considered the most effective. Many people cope with congestion on their own by following simple procedures.

How to rinse a baby's nose

Prepare a solution for rinsing, draw a full nozzle suction. You can only press once, because if it is incomplete, it is impossible to achieve the required pressure. Therefore, you need to take a nozzle suction pump, squirt it into the child’s nose, pour out the rest and take a new full one. There is no need to pinch the second nostril, since the snot will flow through it. During the procedure, the child should be held with his face directly over the sink so that the water flows into the sink. Before carrying out the procedure, think about how best to carry it out; perhaps it is better to do it together, so that one person holds the baby and the other rinses the nose.

What to do if you have a constant runny nose and sneezing?

Pregnant women often complain about such manifestations; in some cases, such symptoms can be considered the first sign of pregnancy, since during this period the immune system of the female body weakens significantly. In addition, the expectant mother may be bothered by nasal congestion in the last stages of pregnancy, before the birth itself, this process is due to the fact that the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx swells greatly, as a result of which nasal breathing becomes much more difficult.

To alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman, it is recommended that she rinse her nasopharynx daily; she can also take antihistamines as prescribed by a doctor; vasoconstrictors should be categorically avoided during the period of bearing a child. This disease in medicine is called “rhinitis of pregnant women”; it is associated with hormonal changes in the female body.

Allergy as one of the reasons for this process

. During this period, when you are very worried about your own well-being, because allergies cause not only a runny nose and sneezing, but also cough, nasal congestion, headache, sore throat, and general weakness of the body. It is known that in order to get rid of an allergy, it is necessary to eliminate the allergen, but in the case when it is caused by pollen, this is impossible.

• rinse the mouth and nasopharynx every time after visiting the street;
• wash your hair every day;
• change clothes more often;
• carry out wet cleaning of the premises;
• take antihistamines;
• drink plenty of fluids.

. Another manifestation of allergies is itching and burning of the eyes, their redness, and watery eyes. In this case, a diagnosis of rhinoconjunctivitis is made when the nasal cavity and mucous membrane of the eyes are affected, which is caused by exposure to a certain allergen on these organs.

Common diseases

• flu;
• acute respiratory infections;
• ARVI;
• measles;
• chicken pox;
• scarlet fever.

If the cause of frequent sneezing and runny nose is a cold or viral infection, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. To enhance their effect, it becomes advisable to use antihistamines. Adults can be treated with vasoconstrictors, which significantly improves nasal breathing; if possible, it is better to drip them into the nose only at night. When the nose is stuffy, and the reason for this is the accumulation of thick mucus, which does not come out of the paranasal sinuses on its own, you can use some methods of traditional medicine. For many years, a plant such as Kalanchoe has been popular, with which you can thoroughly clean your nose thanks to intense sneezing. To do this, you need to put a few drops of the plant juice into your nose.

If a person has been bothered by sneezing and mucus discharge from the nose for a long time, he should definitely contact a specialist as soon as possible with a complaint of constant sneezing and runny nose. It is strictly forbidden to let such a process take its course, as this can cause many serious health complications.

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How to care for a child with a runny nose?

If a child has a stuffy nose, he becomes irritable and restless, and his appetite is impaired. Mom needs to try to alleviate the baby’s condition. But the baby is very vulnerable. Careless actions when treating the nose can lead to serious complications, for example, otitis media. Therefore, it is not permissible to choose methods of therapy and medications at your own discretion. It doesn’t matter whether the baby has just been born or is a one-year-old child. The problem of congestion can be dealt with by dropping a saline solution into the nose, carefully suctioning out the mucus, and creating a comfortable temperature and humidity. When caring for a baby, you should not rinse your nose with a rubber bulb or use sprays.

Aspirators for infants

Increased pressure will lead to mucus particles being thrown into the Eustachian tube and the development of inflammation in the middle ear. If you need to free your nose from viscous mucus, it is recommended to drip saline, wait a little and suck out the mucus with an aspirator. After this, you can use the drops prescribed by your doctor. Vasoconstrictor drugs are used only if prescribed by a doctor. It is important to observe not only the dosage, but also the duration of administration. You cannot use them for longer than 5 days, as well as drip undiluted juices from vegetables, plants, and essential oils into your baby.

A fatty, sweet organic environment is an excellent environment for the rapid proliferation of bacteria and the development of disease.

How to get rid of congestion

To decompose the nose, you must first conduct a thorough diagnosis. When the cause is established, a treatment method is selected.

For vasomotor rhinitis, antihistamines are prescribed

, intranasal glucocorticosteroids are sometimes used.

Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, inhalations using a nebulizer) is often used. The patient is also prescribed endovasal blockades with Novocaine, local cauterization of the nasal mucosa with chemicals, and the use of sclerosing drugs.

If one nostril is clogged due to allergies, it is necessary to eliminate the allergen causing the disease if possible. Regarding medications, patients may be prescribed antihistamines and hormonal drugs, leukotriene antagonists, enterosorbents and vasoconstrictor sprays.

In addition, when one maxillary sinus is clogged, the doctor prescribes the following medications:

chamomile) or medicines.

Massaging your nose will also help relieve congestion.

To this end, rub the wings of the nose and the bridge of the nose with light circular movements until a pleasant feeling of warmth appears in these areas.

, allowing you to quickly free up nasal breathing - the use of vasoconstrictors. But such sprays and drops cannot be used for long, because they are addictive.

As you can see, there are many reasons for nasal congestion on the left or right side. And in order to resume breathing, a thorough diagnosis is first necessary. But you can prevent the appearance of an unpleasant symptom if you treat all diseases of the respiratory organs in a timely manner, give up bad habits, humidify the air, do breathing exercises and ventilate the room more often.

A runny nose and nasal congestion are symptoms that can manifest in a person in various combinations and occur in a variety of forms. Sometimes it happens that only one nostril is blocked, and this happens especially often at night. In this case, a runny nose may not be observed at all. In many cases, such a condition can be established as a result of infectious diseases. It is necessary to eliminate the causes of this condition, because treating symptoms only will not give any result.

Possible reasons that only one nostril is blocked may be:

• The presence of polyps or other neoplasms in the nasal passages, the course of the inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses;
• Violation of the shape of the nasal septum or other problems associated with its anatomical features;
• Allergic reactions of the body;
• Pathologies of proliferation of blood vessels;
• Diseases such as sinusitis, vasomotor and allergic rhinitis.

These are the main reasons why only one nostril is blocked. Regardless of the underlying one, the main symptom manifests itself in the same way in each case: the patient feels that congestion is present on only one side. At the same time, if he is in a lying position, he closes exactly the nostril that is located below, while the other breathes freely. The most alarming thing is that there is no snot.

Possible consequences of nasal congestion in infants

If a baby has a stuffy nose, it is necessary to get qualified advice as soon as possible. This condition cannot be ignored, since rhinitis in a newborn baby can cause various complications.

With a stuffy nose, the child breathes through his mouth. At the same time, all pathogenic bacteria freely penetrate into the baby’s body, since the natural purification of the air, which is ensured by a healthy nasal mucosa, is “turned off.” That is why a slight runny nose in a baby can result in a cough and more serious inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

In newborn babies, due to its special anatomy, the nasopharynx is connected to the inner ear. A runny nose can trigger the development of inflammation of the middle ear. This is a very serious condition for a child and should not be forgotten.

Therefore, if even a slight runny nose appears, the baby should be shown to a doctor, who will prescribe a treatment regimen, selecting medications adequate to the condition. It is advisable to avoid self-medication, since incorrectly selected medications can only worsen the child’s condition.

Algorithm of actions in all situations

If a child has a stuffy nose due to a medical condition, the underlying cause should be addressed as quickly as possible.

Infectious rhinitis

The following therapeutic regimen is used to treat snot. Washing.

For an infant you should prepare in advance:

• rubber bulb for suctioning snot;
• syringe without needle;
• cotton turundas;
• a clean diaper;
• isotonic solution;
• boiled vegetable oil.

The child is placed on his side, having previously lubricated the nasal passages with oil to soften the crusts, then they are carefully removed with a cotton swab. Then, using a syringe without a needle, an isotonic solution is poured into the nasal passages one by one - you need to make sure that the baby does not begin to choke

The remaining water that has not poured out, together with the discharge, is sucked off with a rubber bulb.

With older children, the procedure is carried out in a sitting position; children from 4-5 years old are already able to rinse their nose themselves, sucking water from their palm over the bathtub.

In addition to the isotonic solution, you can use infusions of medicinal herbs that have an antiseptic or anti-inflammatory effect.

1. For a runny nose, the doctor prescribes vasoconstrictor drops for 4-5 days - they will help the child sleep peacefully. You should not purchase the drug yourself without consulting a doctor - pharmacies have a huge selection of such drugs, but each age needs “its own” medicine;
2. Anti-inflammatory drops are used - again on the recommendation of the pediatrician.

To eliminate the concomitant disease, their own remedies are also used.

Allergic rhinitis

Washing is carried out in the same way as in the case of a runny nose of infectious etiology.

• Antihistamines of general and local action – tablets and drops – are introduced into therapy.
• It is imperative to identify the source of the allergen and exclude contact with it, if possible.
• If hay fever is detected, it is necessary to carry out treatment so that the runny nose does not recur during the flowering period.

Teeth!

When teething, you need to make sure that secondary infection does not occur - you can even create “quarantine conditions” for the baby for several days.

To alleviate the condition, the nose must be rinsed, and during sleep it makes sense to use vasoconstrictor drops.

Anomalies of the nose structure

Congenital and acquired anomalies in the structure of the respiratory organ cannot be eliminated at home.

1. The problem is solved after consultation with a doctor - surgical intervention may be recommended.
2. The same measures are taken when polyps or adenoids grow.
3. Currently, children are trying to undergo gentle operations using endoscopy. The rehabilitation period after such surgery is minimal.

In some cases, the growth of adenoids can be stopped with medication.

What to do if a newborn has a stuffy nose, but no snot

If nasal congestion persists for some time and causes noticeable discomfort to the baby, it needs to be treated. But a mother who is not a doctor should not try to do this on her own. The right decision in this case is to consult a pediatrician, who will diagnose the cause and tell you how to treat the baby. If this is not done in a timely manner, complications may develop. When a baby cannot breathe through his nose, you can alleviate his condition with the help of:

1. Cleaning the nose with a cotton pad dipped in slightly salted boiled water. When the mucus dries, it turns into dense crusts that interfere with free breathing.
2. An aspirator or small rubber bulb with a soft tip. These devices can be used to suck out mucus if necessary.
3. Drops like “Aqua Maris” or saline solution for rinsing the nasal passages. These products moisturize the mucous membrane, soften the crusts, and help remove them easily. For nasal congestion in a newborn without snot, Komarovsky recommends instilling saline drops as often as possible, every half hour, if the baby is not sleeping.
4. Traditional medicine recipes. A clogged nose can be instilled with beetroot, carrot, or aloe vera juice diluted with water (2 parts boiled water to 1 part juice). No other drops should be used without the advice of a pediatrician. This may harm the child's health.
5. In the fight against this problem, do not forget about humidifying the air in the room where the baby is. You can use special humidifiers, containers with water near the radiator, hang wet towels in the room, and carry out wet cleaning daily. It is advisable to use the air conditioner less, it dries out the air. Regular walks in the fresh air are beneficial for nasal health.

How to make turundas for the nose

Baby 6 months old

What to do when a 6 month old baby has a stuffy nose? The treatment algorithm at this age, as in newborns, depends on the cause that led to difficulty breathing. Rinsing the nose with saline solutions, humidifying the air and walking outside do not lose their relevance if the child’s nose is not breathing. At this age, the pediatrician, if necessary, can expand the list of medications for the treatment of congestion. Vasoconstrictor, antiviral and antibacterial drops may be prescribed.

A runny nose in such babies quickly leads to complications. Therefore, you should not self-medicate.

Adequate therapy can only be carried out by a doctor after examining the baby and diagnosing the cause of difficulty breathing.

TOP-5 drugs for children against runny nose

If you would like to make your baby's breathing easier, there are several of the safest and most effective medications that can be used for self-medication.

1. Aqua Maris. You can use this sea salt solution for allergies, chronic and acute runny nose, to prevent diseases and cleanse the nasal cavity. You can buy a spray or drops. Spray - for children over 1 year old, drops can be used from the first day of life (this principle also works with other drugs). You can use the drug 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops/injections into each nostril.
2. Aqualor Baby. Ionized water for nasal rinsing. Also available in the form of drops and spray. Suitable for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, sinusitis, adenoiditis, as well as for cleansing the mucous membrane and preparing for the administration of other drugs. Regardless of the release form, use the drug 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops/injections.
3. Nazol Baby. Vasoconstrictor drops that can be used for colds, acute respiratory viral infections, and allergies. Children under one year old should do 1 instillation no more than 4 times a day, children older - no more than 6 times a day. It is prohibited to use the drug for more than 3 days in a row.
4. Otrivin Baby. A product based on an isotonic solution. Suitable for washing mucous membranes, treating runny nose and colds. Also available in drop and spray form. Drops can be instilled 2-4 into each nostril (a clear number of times a day has not been established, since the drug is safe). The spray can be used according to the same algorithm.
5. Vibrocil. The herbal drug is intended for the treatment of runny nose of any etiology, otitis media. Available in the form of ointment, drops and spray. Children under one year old, 1 drop 3-4 times a day, over one year old, 1-2 drops with the same frequency.

But you should always remember that treating a child yourself, especially when there is no runny nose, is always a risk and it is better to consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Nasal congestion without snot is certainly a warning sign. Therefore, you should always contact your pediatrician to determine the cause of this phenomenon and rid your child of it as soon as possible. If self-medication does not produce results in 4-5 days, all the more reason to visit a specialist.

Decongestants are the second direction in the treatment of children's runny nose

How to cure a runny nose in a six-month-old baby quickly? Every baby needs saline solutions, but these drugs will not provide an immediate effect; it will be extended over time.

To reduce the severity of a runny nose within a few seconds, use decongestants. These are vasoconstrictors that are available in the form of nasal drops and spray.

Spray is more preferable because... distributes active particles of the drug throughout the mucous membrane and prevents them from draining. Therefore, nasal drops are a thing of the past. But if you don’t have a spray on hand, you can use them.

How do decongestants work? Treatment with these drugs leads to stimulation of α-adrenergic receptors, resulting in the release of adrenaline. It constricts blood vessels and reduces blood supply to the nasal mucosa, so congestion goes away and the secretion of pathological secretion decreases.

The best drugs from the group of decongestants are those whose active ingredients are Oxymetazoline and Xylometazoline. Their effect develops quickly (after 25-30 seconds) and lasts for a long time (for 12 hours). In this case, there is practically no systemic effect, because drugs are practically not absorbed from the mucous membrane.

Drugs with active ingredients - Norepinephrine, Phenylephrine, Naphazoline and Adrenaline are not recommended for use in children. They cause serious systemic manifestations - bradyarrhythmia (decreased heart rate).

Stuffy nose without a runny nose: reasons

If your nose is constantly stuffy, but there is no runny nose, then this is a sign of developing pathology in the nasal passages. When the nose is stuffy for no apparent reason, many may think that everything will go away on its own. Over time, impaired breathing greatly affects a person’s overall health and life.

He begins to breathe through his mouth, which threatens inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. The protective function of the nose is disabled, the air is not humidified, is not sanitized from bacteria and is not warmed up. Dry, cold and dirty air easily affects unprotected bronchi, larynx and trachea. Laryngitis and pharyngitis begin to develop, up to bronchial asthma.

There may be several reasons for asymptomatic congestion:

1. Vasomotor rhinitis is also a runny nose. A disease in which there is a feeling of nasal congestion, but without snot or other signs of a runny nose. First one and then the other nostril gets clogged alternately. This type of rhinitis can occur against the background of emotional and physical stress, hormonal imbalance, as a reaction to allergens. Substances that irritate the mucous membrane (chemicals, exhaust fumes, dust and fur) cause swelling, which, expanding, interferes with air movement.
2. Allergies, characterized by nasal congestion, are a common ailment among city residents. Flowering in the spring, emissions from production and machinery, pets, and food agents can cause an allergic reaction. Allergens affect and penetrate the body permanently (at home, at work) or temporarily. Congestion occurs due to swelling of the nasopharynx without mucus secretion. Often accompanied by a cough. The symptoms in the first days are similar to the flu, but there is no malaise or fever.
3. Anything can happen in life, especially with children, so the cause of constant nasal congestion may be a foreign object. A seed, a bead, a small insect, etc. accidentally gets into your nose. The presence of the object may be asymptomatic, but may be accompanied by pain in the affected nostril. A foreign body can cause inflammation and ulceration of the inner surface of the nose. In some cases, polypous neoplasms, tissue necrosis, and pus in the eye sac and tear ducts form. Infection during this period can lead to rhinosinusitis and inflammation of bone tissue.
4. Polyps and adenoids, growing, block the nasal passage. Polyps are benign tumors, usually small in size, and are not dangerous in themselves. Adenoids are tonsils in the nasopharynx that become inflamed. Allergies, chronic inflammation, and deviated nasal septum contribute to an increase in the size of adenoids and polyps. Enlarged tumors feel like a distended nostril.
5. Improper functioning of blood vessels due to uncontrolled use of nasal drops and sprays. The mucous membrane cannot cope with swelling without drugs that constrict blood vessels, and addiction begins.
6. A deviated nasal septum is not a disease, it is a feature of human anatomy. Almost everyone has some degree of curvature. It appears during the physiological development of the body, due to injury or incorrect anatomy. If the septum interferes with breathing, then manipulation is performed to correct it - surgery. The curvature is often accompanied by complications in the form of chronic rhinitis.
7. Insufficient air humidity and an environmental situation hazardous to health, characterized by a feeling of dryness.
8. Pathologies of internal organs - heart and blood vessels. Swelling of the nose is accompanied by bleeding and pressure changes.
9. Inflammatory processes in the sinuses - sinusitis, sinusitis - are characterized by blockage of the nasal cavity without discharge.
10. Recovery after surgery. After them, congestion persists for some time, which goes away after a couple of days. The treating specialist explains why this is happening and how long it will last.

In order to accurately identify the cause of the blockage, it is best to contact a specialist. He will conduct an examination and diagnostics that will give a clear picture of the disease.

Swelling of the nasal mucosa without a runny nose, the causes and treatment of which are varied, is best left to a specialist. Improper self-medication can lead to a deterioration in the patient’s condition and quality of life.

What are the dangers of constant nasal congestion and chronic runny nose?

The constant inflammatory process in the nasopharynx causes not only a lot of unpleasant sensations. It affects many body functions:

— Hypoxia factor. Breathing with one mouth sooner or later leads to a lack of oxygen. Nerve cells are the first to suffer from its deficiency. An adult feels constant drowsiness and fatigue; in children, memory and attention decrease. In adulthood, hypoxia creates a risk of arrhythmia, heart attack, and stroke.

— When breathing through the mouth, the load on the lymphoid apparatus of the pharyngeal ring increases, in winter the air is not warmed or moistened and, as a result, there is a risk of tracheitis and bronchitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes, and in children, adenoids.

— A source of chronic infection depletes the immune system. This creates a risk of activating inflammation in other organs and is often the main cause of the development of autoimmune diseases.

- Children's psychological characteristics change, they become less self-confident, anxious, fearful ( Ershov F.I., Garashchenko T.I. Current issues in otorhinolaryngology of childhood and pharmacotherapy of diseases of the ENT organs. Anniversary collection of scientific works. - M., 2001).

If the problem of a stuffy nose is not addressed in time, the mucous membrane begins to hypertrophy. The passage of air is hampered not only by swelling, but also by dense tissue, which has to be removed radically. The longer a person tries to treat the consequences of the problem (vasoconstrictor drops, antibiotics), the faster this unfavorable outcome of chronic rhinitis approaches.

Infectious causes

Why is only one nostril blocked? Most often, unilateral nasal congestion occurs due to infectious inflammation of the nasopharynx. Its inner surface is covered with ciliated epithelium, inside which there are small glands. Single-celled glands secrete nasal mucus, which moisturizes the nasal cavity and cleanses it of allergens and pathogenic agents. Inflammatory reactions stimulate the synthesis of more mucus, which clogs the internal nasal openings (choanae) and, accordingly, prevents normal breathing.

Maxillitis (sinusitis)

Quite often, nasal congestion on one side occurs due to inflammation of one of the two maxillary sinuses (sinuses). Damage to the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses is called maxillitis or sinusitis. The disease can develop either independently or against the background of other respiratory diseases - influenza, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, nasopharyngitis, etc.

If you alternately have one or the other nostril blocked for a month or more, the cause of your breathing problems is most likely an infection.

Symptoms of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses are:

• nagging pain in the bridge of the nose and at the level of the cheeks;
• periodic discharge of purulent mucus;
• headaches and malaise;
• violation of nasal breathing;
• low body temperature;
• decreased or absent sense of smell.

Treatment is carried out mainly with antibiotics and drugs that eliminate swelling. This improves the drainage of the paranasal sinuses, which prevents the penetration of purulent contents into the surrounding tissues.

Posterior rhinitis

The reasons for nasal congestion in children and adults may lie in the development of posterior rhinitis (rhinopharyngitis). Combined inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat and nasal cavity leads to swelling of the airways and, accordingly, difficulty breathing.

If one or the other nostril is blocked in turn, you should pay attention to the presence of accompanying symptoms. Typical manifestations of posterior rhinitis are:

• sneezing and watery eyes;
• burning and itching in the nasopharynx;
• nasal voice;
• crusts on the inner surface of the nasal passages;
• blocking the right or left nostril in a supine position.

Immune defense plays a key role in the development of nasopharyngitis in children and the elderly. A decrease in the body's resistance creates all the conditions for the development of infection in the respiratory system.

As a rule, blockage of both halves of the nose occurs during the acute course of the disease.

Sluggish inflammation of the mucous membranes is accompanied by swelling of only part of the nasopharynx, which is why patients alternate between the right and left nostrils.

How can you tell if your baby has a stuffy nose?

If the baby’s nose is stuffy, there is no snot, he “grunts” and sniffles, then the cause of this may be posterior rhinitis (mucus does not flow out, but down the nasopharynx below) of infectious origin or poor hygiene of the baby’s nasal passages.

If after carrying out measures to clean the nose, breathing has not been restored, then most likely the baby has infectious rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa, runny nose). This is confirmed by the accompanying symptoms of ARVI (fever, red throat, cough, deterioration in general condition).

In situations where difficulty breathing in a baby is accompanied by the release of clear mucus, three reasons can be thought of:

• ARVI, then in addition to a runny nose, other catarrhal phenomena will be present;
• Allergic rhinitis can be suspected if there is a connection between the baby’s contact with a suspected allergen (pet, mother’s perfume, new complementary food or toy, etc.);
• Teething in infants is often accompanied by nasal congestion and clear mucus. You can read more about this on our website, in the article devoted to this problem.

A baby's nose is stuffy in the morning, most often due to the accumulation of mucus, dried crusts, and milk residues (which can get into the nose when regurgitating) at night. After a thorough toileting of the nasal passages, the problem is easily solved.

A baby's nose gets stuffy at night for two reasons. The first is dry and warm air, which contributes to drying out and accumulation of mucus. The second is the structural features of the soft tissues of the nasopharynx, which partially block the airways in the supine position. In this case, you need to change the position of the baby's head during sleep.

A constantly stuffy nose occurs if the triggering factor (dry air, allergen) is not eliminated or the baby has a congenital pathology of the structures of the nasal cavity.

Nasal congestion, which is constantly present or does not go away after using the nasal passages, requires that the baby be examined by a doctor. This can be done by a pediatrician or an otolaryngologist.

How to help your baby?

In order to toilet the nasal passages, you will need:

• Cotton turundas - dense flagella, twisted from sterile cotton wool, at least 3 cm long;
• Sterile oil, homemade (boiled olive or sunflower, refined, deodorized, without additives) or industrial, purchased at a pharmacy;
• Saline solution - 0.9% saline solution, Salin, Marimer, Aquamaris drops. Sprays should not be used during infancy.

Use cotton swabs, matches with cotton wool, etc. for cleaning the nose in children is prohibited due to the high likelihood of injury to the mucous membrane. For the same reason, the use of aspirators for suctioning mucus is also limited in infants. When a baby's nose is stuffy, the snot, clear and liquid, can be easily removed with a cotton swab.

The sequence of actions when toileting a baby’s nose is as follows:

• Prepare everything you need, moisten cotton pads with oil;
• Place the baby lying on a hard surface;
• Place 3 drops of saline solution into your nose and into each nostril;
• Turn the baby onto his tummy for a minute, then turn him back;
• Using gentle rotational movements, insert cotton wool into the spout to a depth of 1 cm and remove all crusts, repeat if necessary.

It is important that the mucus in the nose should not dry out. Therefore, the main task in solving this issue is to maintain optimal microclimatic conditions in the room where the baby is located.

Humidity should be at 60-70%. Its value must be assessed using a special inexpensive device - a hygrometer. You can increase the humidity using a humidifier or other device that has this function. You can also hang a damp cloth over the included batteries, or place a bowl of water or an aquarium in the room.

To regulate the air temperature, which should be at the level of 20-22°C, climate systems and air conditioners are used. Provided they are cleaned regularly. In the absence of such devices, you can regulate the heat supply to the battery using valves that are easy to install.

Regular access to fresh air is ensured by constant micro-ventilation and periodic through ventilation.

If there is copious mucous discharge after toileting the nasal passages, you can drip vasoconstrictor drops based on phenylephrine (Nazol Baby) into the nose while you sleep at night, which does not affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Such drugs should not be used more than 3 times a day, for no more than 5 days.

Difficulty in nasal breathing in infants is a common problem. There are many reasons for its occurrence. Therefore, in order to understand the problem, it is better to consult a doctor who will determine exactly why the baby’s nose is breathing poorly and give recommendations on how to eliminate the problem.

Valentina Ignasheva, pediatrician, especially for the site

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