When are such medications needed?
It is important to understand that rhinitis is not a separate disease.
It often appears together with influenza, measles, and acute respiratory disease. Nasal congestion can last about a week, sometimes even more than 10 days. Drops should be used at all three stages of the pathological process:
- At the initial stage of the disease, a sharp narrowing of blood vessels occurs. This causes burning and itching in the nose. Drops can relieve such symptoms and significantly improve the child’s condition.
- At the catarrhal stage, the vessels dilate significantly, and redness of the nasal mucosa occurs. Its swelling is also noticeable. Drops are also necessary when the main sign of rhinitis appears - a large amount of watery discharge. Usually, nasal congestion goes away faster if you help the body get rid of unpleasant symptoms in a timely manner.
- At the recovery stage, the signs of rhinitis gradually subside, and the discharge acquires a thick consistency. In this case, the child feels some difficulty breathing. Nasal drops relieve this symptom and facilitate the passage of secretions.
Subsequently, the condition improves, and if the runny nose is treated correctly, the child recovers completely. If the disease is not dealt with, it can cause chronic pathologies of the upper respiratory tract. In children they are especially difficult.
Types of sprays
Today, there are different types of nasal spray that are designed for different situations.
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For rinsing
Sprays that are intended for rinsing have the main task of mechanically removing dust, toxins, bacteria and possible viruses from the surface of the nasal mucosa. The composition of this spray differs from other types in that it contains sea water, which does a better job of cleansing.
Sprays for washing are absolutely safe, therefore they are recommended even for children under one year old. The product copes well with the early manifestations of rhinitis, however, the spray is not able to cope with already pronounced symptoms.
Also, a rinsing agent is good for prevention. Experts often recommend using it for daily nasal hygiene. This hygiene will be especially useful for people susceptible to diseases, as well as those suffering from allergic rhinitis.
Antiallergic sprays
Anti-allergy sprays will become saviors for people who suffer from allergies. The product can suppress allergic reactions. Before using an antiallergic spray, be sure to consult a doctor.
Antibacterial sprays
This type of spray contains antibiotics and is prescribed for bacterial infections whose symptoms do not go away for more than a week.
Vasoconstrictors
The use of a vasoconstrictor nasal spray will help quickly relieve symptoms such as:
- nasal congestion caused by swelling of the mucous membrane;
- makes breathing easier by stopping the formation of mucus.
Based on the name, we can conclude that the main principle of operation of these funds is to narrow blood vessels. Due to the narrowing of blood vessels, the flow of blood to both the nasal mucosa and the paranasal sinuses is reduced, therefore, the intensity of the inflammation process decreases.
Yes, the use of a vasoconstrictor nasal spray has a temporary effect, but many of these products can last several hours.
It is worth noting that vasoconstrictors do not treat a runny nose; they only suppress unpleasant symptoms that can seriously bother a child. Difficulty breathing, which can be observed in a child with a runny nose and nasal congestion, will not allow him to fall asleep peacefully, so it is very important to provide assistance to the baby before bedtime. It is also important to remember that vasoconstrictors have some age restrictions, which depend on:
It is also important to remember that vasoconstrictors have some age restrictions, which depend on:
- from the active substance in the drug;
- on the concentration of the active substance;
- release forms of vasoconstrictor nasal spray.
This is explained by the fact that the nasal mucosa contains a large number of blood vessels through which the active substance can enter the general bloodstream and cause a side effect.
The downside of this product is that it can be addictive. Therefore, it is recommended to use a vasoconstrictor nasal spray for no longer than 7 days. It is necessary to strictly observe the regime of use of the spray, since frequent use disrupts the normal blood supply to the mucous membrane.
As a result of frequent use, it may:
- there will be a feeling of dry mucosa;
- develop addiction:
- nasal congestion increases.
Antiviral
The main purpose of antiviral nasal sprays that contain interferons is to prevent and treat acute respiratory viral infections in both adults and children.
Antivirals stimulate local immunity and fight viruses without directly affecting symptoms. Therefore, they cannot relieve a child's symptoms of a stuffy nose.
General indications for the use of drops
Today there are good drugs that help treat rhinitis in the earliest stages. Experts advise not to use folk remedies to eliminate such pathology.
All children's nasal drops act quite quickly and relieve the condition. General indications for the treatment of rhinitis are:
- difficulty in nasal breathing;
- various manifestations of hay fever;
- allergic rhinitis;
- sinusitis;
- long-lasting runny nose, if it has caused hearing complications;
- pain in the ears, which indicates the development of acute otitis media;
- body temperature above 38 °C (this symptom indicates the onset of the inflammatory process);
- Nasal drops for a runny nose are also indicated when taking vasoconstrictor medications.
Features of pharmacodynamics of drops for the common cold
All drugs against rhinitis (allergic or inflammatory) differ greatly in their principle of action.
Before prescribing a medicine, the doctor conducts a diagnosis to determine the types of pathogen and other causes.
Here are some types of anti-runny nose drops that can be used in children:
- Moisturizers. They are needed for sufficient irrigation of the mucous membrane. Such medications moisturize the nose well and prevent its excessive drying.
- Vasoconstrictor medications are very effective for severe runny nose. They are especially needed when normal nasal breathing is impossible and air is difficult to pass through the mouth.
- Antibacterial agents are prescribed only in cases where snot is caused by bacterial pathogens. If a child develops a runny nose due to viruses, then the use of antibiotics is strictly prohibited. If the allergic type of rhinitis is obvious, then such medications are not recommended.
- Antiviral drugs must be used when the pathology is just beginning. These drops are needed if rhinitis is caused by viruses.
- Antihistamines can be prescribed only in cases where the pathology is caused by allergies. In other situations, such drugs can harm the child.
Folk remedies
1. Fir and eucalyptus oil. A few drops of essential oil are dripped into vegetable oil (approximately 25 ml). Drop into the nose in the morning and at night. This mixture instantly makes breathing easier, has a bactericidal effect, softens the mucous membrane and relieves swelling.
2. Beetroot juice relieves inflammation and swelling. Drop it several times a day or make tampons (for 10 minutes). A weak solution of beet juice can be given to babies for a runny nose.
3. Honey drops. Dilute honey with water in equal proportions. Warm it up a little and drip up to 6 times a day. Do not use if you are allergic to this product. Honey is a strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
4. Aloe juice improves immunity and relieves inflammation. You can drip in its pure form. Can be diluted with vegetable oil.
5. Kalanchoe juice is an irritant. When it is instilled, intensive mucus separation begins, swelling quickly disappears and inflammation is relieved.
If your nose is stuffy due to allergies, the best drops are antihistamines. They:
- used during periods of exacerbation of allergies;
- require preliminary cleansing of the mucous membrane with saline solutions;
- may be prescribed over a long period of time.
The best drops in this group are Tizin Alergy and Allergodil, however, they have restrictions on the duration of use and can cause drug dependence.
Allergodil is recommended to be used twice a day, one dose.
It is not recommended for children under six years of age or for pregnant women. Among the adverse reactions, we highlight a bitter taste after instillation, drowsiness, sneezing, coughing, itching in the nasal passages.
Effective nasal drops - Cromohexal. The drug is prescribed one dose three times a day. It is contraindicated up to two years of age, as well as during lactation. The duration of the therapeutic course can be up to 4 months. Adverse reactions include burning sensations and coughing. Cautious use concerns people with renal insufficiency.
Allergy drops may not be effective if the allergen continues to act.
Effective drugs for children
Today doctors recommend the following remedies for children:
- Aqua Maris is purified sea water containing a large number of trace elements. All of them have a positive effect on the nasal mucosa and relieve swelling. Can be used for a runny nose (both acute and chronic), allergic rhinitis, and as a prophylaxis during an epidemic period. Summer is a suitable period for prevention, since it is at this time that pathogens become active. This drug is safe for children.
- Aqualor-Baby. It also consists of natural sea water. It is enriched with microelements beneficial for the nose. To maintain the normal condition of the mucous membranes, just a few injections of the drug are enough. Research shows that regular use of this product can improve immunity.
- Nazol-baby is an effective vasoconstrictor medicine. The active substance is presented in the minimum therapeutic dose. Drops can relieve symptoms of acute rhinitis, facilitate nasal breathing and shorten the treatment period. This medicine is approved almost from the first days of life. The duration of use should be no more than 3 days, otherwise addiction may develop.
- Otrivin-baby is a sterile solution for instillation that relieves signs of inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It moisturizes the latter well and prevents the further development of rhinitis. The medicine is natural for the body because its composition is as close as possible to the internal environment. It can also be used for daily nasal hygiene.
- Vibrocil contains phenylephrine and dimethindene, lavender oil. Because of this, the drug has a specific taste and smell. However, it is well tolerated by patients. The medicine perfectly relieves swelling in the mucous membrane and quickly restores normal breathing. Vibrocil can be used for a runny nose, especially if it is complicated by ear inflammation.
Sea water drops
All drops and sprays for moisturizing the nasal mucosa contain a solution of sea salt. “Aquamaris”, “Aqualor”, “Salin”, “Morenazal”, “Physiomer”, “Marimer” are drugs that moisturize and soften the mucous membrane. A similar remedy for the runny nose, reviews of which are always positive, relieves swelling well. Preparations based on sea water treat inflammation and dilute purulent discharge.
A good cold remedy does not immediately relieve nasal congestion. It treats a runny nose and reduces the risk of complications. Medicines in this group have no side effects. They are allowed for young children and pregnant women.
If it is not possible to purchase drops of sea water, you can use a simple saline solution. This is a regular salt solution, it is also effective for treating rhinitis.
How to use vasoconstrictor drops correctly
The solution is instilled into the nasal cavity, as a result the patient begins to breathe freely. However, relief comes only for a while, then the procedure must be repeated. The drugs do not remove the cause of the disease, but only relieve swelling.
These drugs can increase blood pressure and cause heart palpitations. Therefore, for children it is necessary to use only the drop options intended for them, in which the therapeutic dose will be the minimum necessary.
Long-term use of medications causes secondary swelling of the mucous membranes and the development of the same symptoms of a runny nose. If your runny nose persists for more than a week and these remedies do not help, you should consult a doctor.
Vasoconstrictors include the following drugs:
- Naphthyzin is a well-known and proven drug. Its disadvantage is that it does not last long.
- Preparations with xylometazoline have the same effect as Naphthyzin, but last a little longer. They have a milder effect on the mucous membrane, and some drops contain additional components that can moisturize the nasal passages.
- Drugs containing oxymetazoline last the longest (up to 12 hours). Modern drops have a significant amount of moisturizing components, so the nasal passages will not be irritated. Among the drugs included in this group are Nazol, Noxprey and others.
Nasal decongestants with antimicrobial action
Drops and ointments, which contain not one active ingredient, but two or more, have an antimicrobial effect . They are made on the basis of natural ingredients and are able to cope with fungal and bacterial rhinitis by stimulating the restoration of the mucous membrane and the subsidence of edema. Popular products in this group include:
- Dr. Theiss Nazoline contains xylometazoline as a vasoconstrictor component. In addition, it contains eucalyptus essential oil, which has antibacterial properties.
- Pinosol is a drug that contains a complex of various medicinal herbs with a natural effect against microbes. The product is produced in the form of drops, creams, ointments, and bath capsules.
- Bactroban is a nasal ointment made on the basis of antibiotics. It is used for staphylococcal infections, which are characterized by purulent secretions.
- Polydex with Phenylephrine contains antibiotics and is available in the form of a spray. The composition contains anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor substances, which are good for coping with the cause of a runny nose - a bacterial infection, as well as alleviating its negative symptoms. For viral rhinitis, the drug should not be used; children under 3 years of age, pregnant women, and people with renal failure should be protected from it.
Features of using other drops
All moisturizing compositions are capable of thinning mucous secretions without irritating nasal tissues, so their use for children is most justified.
Most of these medicines contain sea water, which is sterile and enriched with other beneficial components. A distinctive feature of these drops is the absence of side effects. Therefore, doctors recommend using them to treat infants.
The effectiveness of antiviral drugs will appear only at the very beginning of the development of the disease, but prescriptions should be made by a pediatrician. If the drops are used correctly, they can free the child from the unpleasant symptoms of rhinitis in just a few days.
Some antiviral drugs contain interferon. In the body, such a substance is produced to combat pathogenic agents. The drops help him overcome the viral infection. The doctor may recommend buying dry Interferon (it is contained in ampoules). It is diluted with water and used like regular nasal drops.
Pharmacies sell a large number of herbal medicines for the treatment of ENT diseases. Like other drugs from this group, they relieve inflammation in the nasal cavity and moisturize the mucous membrane well.
The most effective of them is Pinosol. If a child has poor sensitivity to essential oils, then it is better not to use such drops so as not to cause complications.
But today the effectiveness of instilling homeopathic compounds into the nose has little proven, although advertising positions these products as high-quality and almost the only medicines for treating young patients. One of the drugs belonging to the homeopathic group is Delufen.
Nazaval PLUS
This product is manufactured in the UK. Nazaval Plus is a barrier agent that protects against ARVI and influenza. The main component of the medicine is wild garlic extract. Peppermint plays a supporting role.
The medication is used for prophylactic purposes. It is recommended to use Nazval Plus once in several cases:
- if necessary, come into contact with a person suffering from ARVI or influenza;
- 10-15 minutes before boarding public transport, shortly before visiting medical institutions and other places with a large number of people.
In such situations, the drug acts as an emergency defense. The drug provides antiviral, antibacterial and fungicidal effect. After its administration, a special gel is formed in the nasal cavity, trapping various infectious agents and preventing their further spread in the body.
Daily use of Nazval Plus drops is indicated during periods of outbreaks of influenza and ARVI. In this case, the drug is injected into the nostrils 3-4 times during the day, at intervals of 5-6 hours.
The medicine is not absorbed into the systemic circulation, has no age restrictions, and can be prescribed during pregnancy and lactation. As contraindications to the use of the product, the instructions indicate individual intolerance to its components, an allergy to garlic, and a tendency to nasal bleeding. The price of this product in the pharmacy chain is 340 rubles. and more.
Side effects from drops
As a result of long-term use of such drugs, the severity of the effect is noticeably reduced, and side symptoms may develop.
The child may develop a persistent addiction. In addition, nasal drops in some cases can cause even more signs of nasal congestion.
Vasoconstrictors should be used with caution. This is due to the fact that each child has a different reaction to drugs. In some cases, spasms may appear.
If for some reason the rules for administering the drops were violated (for example, they were used in excessive quantities), then the drug may be swallowed. This entails the appearance of undesirable symptoms such as:
- persistent increase in blood pressure;
- increase in heart rate;
- pain in the head area;
- vomit.
If a child is prescribed monoamine oxidases, then it is necessary to refrain from using drugs for nasal congestion. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.
What remedies for a runny nose are we talking about?
Colds, seasonal allergies, deformed nasal septum: all these diseases cause an unpleasant symptom - nasal congestion. Due to the inability to breathe normally, a person experiences not only a lot of inconvenience, but also oxygen starvation. And this, in turn, has a bad effect on the functioning of the brain.
More on the topic What is a cold allergy and how to treat it?
Fortunately, the problem of nasal congestion is quite easy to solve. All you have to do is go to the pharmacy and buy special nasal drops or spray. They can be moisturizing, antibacterial or antiviral. But we most often resort to the most effective - vasoconstrictors based on xylometazoline. They are the ones advertised on TV, promising relief from cold symptoms and free breathing.
The principle of action of xylometazoline is simple. When you have a runny nose, the vessels in the nasal mucosa dilate, which causes swelling and congestion. But a few sprays of the drug are enough for the blood vessels to narrow and the swelling to subside. After 4-5 hours the procedure will have to be repeated.
The instructions for vasoconstrictor drops state that they are recommended to be used for no more than seven days for adults, and three days for children. But not everyone completes the course of drops after a week. What will happen if you use nasal drops constantly? Let's ask an expert.
When are nose drops prohibited for children?
Liquid nasal products are contraindicated in the following cases:
- Marked increase in blood pressure.
- Atrophic types of rhinitis.
- Diabetes mellitus of the insulin-dependent type.
- Angle-closure glaucoma.
- Arterial blockage.
- Increased sensitivity of the body.
- Thyroid gland dysfunction.
- Allergy to individual components of the drug.
- Pheochromocytomas.
Anti-congestion drops should be discontinued if they cause itching, burning, or pain in the nasal area.
In the future, if such symptoms appear, it is necessary to choose other medications. When choosing medications for treating nasal congestion in children, the doctor always pays attention to the presence of contraindications for each individual patient. In such cases, there is no strictly developed treatment regimen for rhinitis. The course of the disease in children is strictly individual. If this or that type of therapy is suitable for one child, it will be harmful for another.
Moisturizers
Moisturizing drops for nasal congestion, which are not addictive, are quite popular. By instilling such remedies into the cavity, you can get rid of the mucous fluid in the sinuses within a week. There are several effective nasal medications that can help treat rhinitis.
Aquamaris
You can relieve nasal congestion and clear your nasal passages using the Aquamaris moisturizer. The peculiarity of such nasal drops is that they are made from the purest water taken from the Adriatic Sea. In addition, the drops contain useful components that normalize the performance of the nasal mucosa.
Many experts advise using drops not only to treat rhinitis, but also to improve immunity.
Before using the medicine, you should familiarize yourself with its contraindications and side effects. Aquamaris should not be used to treat babies under one year of age. This can cause an allergic reaction, which will be accompanied by dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
This nasal medication can be used to treat and prevent a runny nose. When treating congestion, children over two years of age and adults should instill two drops of the medicine into each nostril. The procedure is repeated daily for one month. If during this time it was not possible to completely get rid of mucous accumulations, then you will have to repeat the treatment course.
To prevent congestion, you need to use Aquamaris only twice a day. The prophylactic course lasts no longer than seven days.
Salin
Another drop for the common cold, which is often used in the treatment of congestion, is Salin. The product was made specifically to combat swelling and inflammatory processes that appeared on the mucous membrane. After reaching the surface of the mucous membrane, Salin immediately begins to have an anti-inflammatory effect, due to which nasal breathing begins to resume. Salin is often used to replace vasoconstrictors and vasoconstrictors, which cause dependence in many patients.
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The nasal remedy has a small list of contraindications that you should definitely familiarize yourself with. Salin is not suitable for people suffering from renal failure, pulmonary edema, acidosis or extracellular hyperhydration. Some doctors do not recommend using Salin for pregnant women.
When treating congestion, you can use drops or nasal spray Salin. During spray treatment, the medicine is injected into each nostril twice a day. If congestion is accompanied by complications, the drug can be injected into the nasal passage 3-4 times. Drops are also used daily, twice a day. It is enough to instill one drop per dose.
Marimer
To free the nostrils and treat congestion, you should use the nasal rinsing drug Marimer. It cleanses the nasal cavity from viruses and bacteria that can cause nasal congestion. Marimer also has an anti-inflammatory function, with the help of which the mucous membrane is gradually restored. Quite often, Marimer is used to treat allergic rhinitis, since with the help of this medicine you can remove allergens from the body.
This nasal remedy should only be used when treating adults or children over seven years of age. Such contraindications are due to the fact that after using Marimer, many children develop a rash on their body due to sea water in the composition of the medicine.
To get rid of snot, you need to use drops constantly. They bury themselves 2-3 times every day. After the first week of use, you should stop dripping your nose for 5-7 days. Then the course of treatment is resumed for another week.