How to cure a persistent runny nose in a baby

Do babies get ARVI?

Infants are the most susceptible to various viruses, and the reason for this is not fully formed immunity. Children who are bottle-fed are the most affected. Naturally fed children, along with their mother's milk, receive antibodies that help fight the disease.

The antibodies that the child received during pregnancy and breastfeeding protect him for the first 3-4 months of life.

Can a baby get infected from its mother?

Many parents are confident that breastfed children are not susceptible to various viral diseases. This is all an erroneous judgment, since any baby is very weak, his immunity is not fully developed, and any illness is very difficult. Although such children have a much lower risk of getting sick than artificial children.

Can a baby become infected with this disease from family members or from a sick mother? In most cases, it is impossible to become infected from the mother, since antibodies are supplied to him through breast milk, which protect his immunity. The virus is especially dangerous in the first 3 days, after which a period of recovery begins and its symptoms weaken. To avoid transmitting the virus, you can follow these simple tips:

If any family member is sick, it is advisable to isolate him or her from the baby or wear a protective mask.

Important! These masks must be changed every three hours.

All children's utensils must be sterilized and kept away from common items.
The room where the baby is located must be thoroughly ventilated. This must be done at least 2-3 times a day for half an hour. It is very important to walk with your child, because fresh air helps develop immunity.
The premises should be wet cleaned daily. To do this, you can use hypoallergenic and disinfectants.
To destroy viruses present in the air, place a bowl of finely chopped garlic and onion at the baby’s location.
The air in the room should be humid with a temperature of about 20-22 degrees.
During the period of mass circulation of viruses, it is better not to receive guests, as the baby can become infected from them.

Causes

The reasons for the development of a runny nose in children may be associated with exposure to a wide variety of factors. Rhinitis develops due to the following reasons:

viral and bacterial infections;
influence of allergens;
indoor air is too dry;
exposure to toxins and other environmental factors;
entry of a foreign body into the nasal cavity;
the so-called “runny nose on teeth” - can begin when the baby is teething;
hypothermia, overheating, sudden temperature fluctuations.

Symptoms and signs

Any malaise in a baby is accompanied by lethargy and weakness. He begins to refuse food, sleeps poorly, and the digestion process is disrupted. A runny nose, cough, and high fever appear, which can last for 3-5 days. If it persists for more than 5 days, urgent hospitalization is necessary, as this leads to serious complications (pneumonia, etc.).

Each type of ARVI has certain symptoms:

Flu. The most common type of ARVI, the incubation period of which is 4-5 days. Usually accompanied by a slight fever. At the same time, the skin becomes pale, appetite is impaired, a runny nose, sniffling and vomiting appear. If treatment is not started, this will lead to consequences such as pneumonia, otitis media, etc. Therefore, it is very important to follow flu prevention measures and promptly eliminate its symptoms.
Parainfluenza is very rare in newborns; up to 5 months they practically do not suffer from this type. There is no intoxication, but hoarseness, frequent regurgitation, nasal congestion and nasal discharge are possible. Usually the disease goes away within 6 days.
Adenoviral infection - there is a fever, but there are no signs of intoxication. Symptoms of the disease include nasal congestion, mild cough, difficulty breathing, restlessness, poor sleep and lack of appetite. Sometimes bowel movements may be disrupted. The disease lasts from 10 to 37 days, and a bacterial infection may occur.
Respiratory syncytial – symptoms appear progressively. It all starts with a slight increase in temperature, then a mild cough, nasal congestion, regurgitation and vomiting appear. On examination, wheezing may appear in the lungs.
Rhinovirus - at first there is a slight fever, stuffy nose and discharge from it. The baby's sleep is disturbed, his appetite disappears, and he becomes restless. Minor wheezing in the lungs is also not uncommon.
Reovirus - there is a slight fever, the face becomes red, there may be a slight cough, difficulty breathing, general anxiety, conjunctivitis and vomiting. Sometimes loose stools and abdominal pain appear.

The incubation period for the development of ARVI in infants in almost all its types is 5-7 days. In children under one year of age, diarrhea is possible with ARVI.

How long does the temperature last

If a virus enters the baby's body, fever is observed for 3-5 days. But sometimes this figure can be higher, for example, with an adenovirus infection it can last about a week. Flu is accompanied by an increase in temperature for up to 5 days, and rises to 39-40 degrees. Usually after a day it becomes lower.

When should you lower your temperature?

Sometimes you shouldn’t reduce a baby’s fever, as the body must try to overcome the illness itself. It is considered normal at no higher than 38 degrees; anything higher can threaten life and health. Heat above 38 degrees causes a lot of discomfort to babies; they become lethargic, restless and weak. In this case, it is simply necessary to knock it down, and antipyretic suppositories or syrup will help with this.

Cough and nasal congestion

Cough and nasal congestion are the most common signs of a cold. There are five types of cough:

This disease is characterized by a dry and wet cough. It is with a dry cough that any cold begins, after which the sputum begins to liquefy and leave the upper respiratory tract. Wet - indicates the passage of the disease, since germs and viruses come out along with sputum. You can get rid of this disease with the help of syrups and inhalations, which are selected by the doctor.

Acute respiratory disease is accompanied by nasal congestion, with the release of thick or thin mucus. In the first option, the baby is not able to breathe through his nose, which causes discomfort and disrupts sleep and appetite. When liquid mucus is secreted, the baby can breathe on his own, but he should definitely clean his nose. In this way, viruses and bacteria are removed.

How to treat ARVI according to Dr. Komarovsky

If an infant is diagnosed with ARVI, treatment should be started immediately, as inflammatory processes may begin in the lungs and bronchi. The infection may spread to the ears and larynx. In children under one year of age, a strong, paroxysmal cough does not allow breathing freely.

Dr. Komarovsky believes that the use of antipyretics and other drugs makes no sense. They should be used only in critical cases. In others, it is better to let the immune system fight off the viruses on its own.

Also, in case of ARVI, there is no need to give antibiotics to the baby. Firstly, an allergy may occur to them, and secondly, antibiotics are powerless against viruses of this type. They only work against bacterial infections.

In the fight against respiratory diseases, it is best to harden and strengthen the immune system, then no bacteria or viruses will be scary. If the disease has already appeared, the doctor advises using the simplest methods: giving preference to breast milk as feeding, which contains antibodies that can help fight viruses and carry out hardening procedures.

The use of warming compresses, mustard plasters, and steam inhalations is prohibited. The same applies to alcohol and vinegar rubbing.

In any case, you need to contact a pediatrician who will prescribe the correct treatment. There is no need to bring the temperature down to 38, but raising it requires a qualified approach. In this case, you can give a medicine that contains paracetamol, it will help relieve the fever.

Also, you should not put antibiotics and vasoconstrictor drugs in your nose; it will be enough to use saline solutions that clear the nasal passages. Antitussive drugs for infants are selected by a pediatrician based on their general condition. Cough suppressants should not be given.

It is very important for infants to drink plenty of fluids; this will help replenish their water supply and not lead to dehydration. If your baby refuses water, you can prepare him a decoction of raisins, rose hips or chamomile.

Prevention of ARVI

To prevent frequent colds, it is necessary to provide proper care for your baby. You need to bathe him more often, play with him, and walk in the fresh air. Hardening and massage strengthen the immune system well.

Hygiene and cleanliness in the room where the baby is located is also very important. Wet cleaning and ventilation will help remove viruses from the air, especially if someone in the house is already sick. The air in the room should be humidified and have a temperature of no more than 18 - 22 degrees; this optimal balance prevents microbes from multiplying.

The nutrition of a nursing mother is also important, because the baby receives all the nutrients from her. Therefore, the diet should be varied and correct.

Every mother should know what not to do during ARVI:

Under no circumstances should you wrap your child if he has a cold, as he should not sweat. Sweat removes fluid from the body and leads to dehydration. The baby should be dressed according to the temperature, and the skin should be allowed to breathe.
Antibiotics and analgin should not be given.
You should not bathe your baby in hot water or warm it up.
The fever should not be reduced to 38.
Instilling onion or garlic juice into the nose is strictly prohibited, as it can cause a burn to the mucous membrane.

About the problem

Even the most caring mother, who takes care of and protects her child from everything in the world, will not be able to ensure that her child never gets a runny nose in his life. This is because rhinitis (the medical name for the runny nose) most often occurs during acute viral respiratory infections. At the physiological level, the following happens: one of the many viruses that always surround the child gets onto the nasal mucosa. In response, the immune system gives the command to secrete as much mucus as possible, which should isolate the virus from other organs and systems, preventing it from moving further through the nasopharynx, larynx, bronchi and lungs.

In addition to the viral form, which accounts for about 90% of all cases of children's runny nose, according to Evgeniy Komarovsky, rhinitis can be bacterial. This causes pathogenic bacteria to enter the nasal cavity. The body reacts in a similar way - with increased mucus production. Bacterial rhinitis itself is extremely rare, and its course is always very severe. Bacteria (most often staphylococci) cause severe inflammation, suppuration, and toxic waste products cause general intoxication.

Sometimes a bacterial runny nose can develop after a child has suffered a viral infection. This happens because accumulated mucus in the nasal passages becomes an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.

Usually these bacteria are harmless; they live in the nose and mouth on a permanent basis and do not bother the child in any way. However, in conditions of an abundance of mucus, its stagnation, drying out, microbes become pathogenic and begin to multiply rapidly. This usually happens with complicated rhinitis.

What complications may arise?

With ARVI, such adverse consequences as a bacterial infection and even a threat to the baby’s life are possible. With improper or absent treatment, the development of bronchitis, bronchiolitis, their obstruction and pneumonia is possible. In this case, the condition worsens even more, shortness of breath and wheezing appear in the lungs.

Prolonged ARVI can spread to the ENT organs and lead to sore throat, exacerbation of tonsillitis, otitis media or sinusitis.

In infants, damage to the bladder and gastrointestinal tract is possible.

Intense heat leads to convulsions, which are common in children under 3 years of age. False croup is also possible, which occurs when the vocal cords and the space under them swell. Characteristic symptoms are hoarseness of voice, barking cough, noise when breathing and shortness of breath when inhaling.

Infants are very weak and susceptible to various kinds of diseases. It is very important to provide the right living conditions for him, to walk more in the fresh air and strengthen his immune system. And if you experience any symptoms of a cold, you need to seek help from a pediatrician. How long ARVI lasts in children under one year of age depends on the correctness and timeliness of treatment. In infants, any illness is very difficult, so it is easier to prevent it.

Source

List of sources

Korovina N.A., Zaplatnikova A.L. Acute respiratory viral infections in the outpatient practice of a pediatrician: A manual for doctors. - M, 2005. - 61 p.
Piskunov G.Z., Piskunov S.Z. Clinical rhinology. - M, 2002. - 187 p.
Uchaikin V.F. Infectious diseases in children: Textbook. M., 2010: 115-148 p.

Education: Graduated from Rivne State Basic Medical College with a degree in Pharmacy. Graduated from Vinnitsa State Medical University named after. M.I. Pirogov and internship at his base.

Work experience: From 2003 to 2013 – worked as a pharmacist and manager of a pharmacy kiosk. She was awarded diplomas and decorations for many years of conscientious work. Articles on medical topics were published in local publications (newspapers) and on various Internet portals.

Source

The main symptoms of a runny nose in infants

In infancy, the child is not yet able to breathe through the mouth, and since his nasal passages are quite narrow, the mucous membrane, swelling, makes breathing very difficult. As a result, a simple runny nose in an infant is a very tiresome symptom that causes severe discomfort to the baby. With a clogged nose, the baby becomes capricious, refuses to eat, and sleeps poorly.

Usually a runny nose in a newborn lasts about two weeks. At first, the baby experiences copious mucus secretion, and during a cold or due to hypothermia, it may also be accompanied by a rise in body temperature.

A runny nose is most often accompanied by:

copious watery discharge from the nose;
deterioration of general condition against the background of elevated temperature, starting from 37 ° C;
the appearance of shortness of breath and disruption of normal breathing;
deviations from the usual rhythm of life, including disturbances in sleep, wakefulness and diet;
refusal of the breast or bottle and frequent breaks in the sucking process.

In cases where the cause of a runny nose is an allergy, it is characterized not only by watery discharge, but also by attacks of sneezing, redness of the eyes and itching near the nose. Also, when there is a runny nose or congestion in the respiratory tract, an infant unconsciously reaches out with his hands to his nose and rubs it.

General information

A runny nose is a very common disease that often occurs not only in adults, but also in the smallest children - infants. And if adults often simply do not pay attention to a stuffy nose, then rhinitis in a baby causes him noticeable discomfort. Feeling unwell due to a stuffy nose, the baby is capricious, eats poorly and sleeps restlessly. Signs of nasal congestion in young children are not uncommon. After all, in newborns, the immune system is just developing, and any seemingly insignificant reason can lead to the appearance of mucus in the nasal passages. A runny nose often begins after hypothermia and accompanies allergic manifestations and autonomic disorders.

Types of runny nose and their causes

In total, there are 4 main types of runny nose. He can be:

Physiological runny nose. Such a runny nose in infants often occurs at 1-3 months and does not require therapy. Its appearance is explained quite simply. During pregnancy, while the baby lived inside the mother, he was constantly in liquid. As a result, the formation of mucous membranes begins only after birth. At the initial stage, the nasal passages are completely dry, only a few weeks after birth the production of mucus begins. Since this mechanism has not yet been established and the passages are quite narrow, the child may experience small amounts of clear liquid discharge. Snot in a one-month-old baby is a natural phenomenon that is not dangerous for the baby and does not cause him any particular inconvenience. After some time, such a runny nose in an infant goes away on its own without treatment, which in such a situation can only cause harm.
Infectious or viral. The cause of the disease is an infection provoked by either a bacteria or a virus, and snot acts as a protective reaction of the body.
Allergic. It can be triggered by all sorts of allergens - for example, dust, flowers, household chemicals, animals or foods from the mother's diet, which he gets through her milk during breastfeeding. In this case, watery eyes are added to a runny nose.
Vasomotor. It is rare in infants. Appears when there are problems with the vessels of the nasal mucosa.

Reaction to unsuitable microclimate parameters

It is because of this reaction that a constant runny nose most often develops in an infant. Since the child is in a room with an unsuitable microclimate most of the time, his nasal mucosa almost constantly swells or dries out. While the baby is on walks, she does not have time to return to normal. Nasal congestion and sneezing in infants does not go away until the conditions in the room return to normal.

To solve this problem, parents almost always need to:

Humidify the air in the room.
To do this, you can buy a humidifier, hang wet towels and special hanging cups of water on the radiators. You can even install plastic water bottles with the neck cut off inside heating radiators; Maintaining air humidity and temperature within the limits recommended by the pediatrician will ensure normal functioning of the child’s nasal mucosa. The photo shows a humidifier.
Keep room temperature at the lower end of the limits recommended by your pediatrician. That is, if the doctor advised maintaining 20-22°C, you need to keep it at 20°C;
Take your baby outside more often.

If the nasal mucosa of a child is dry, then to maintain it in a normal moist state, you need to instill saline into the nose or use special sprays based on sea water. The amount of saline solution must be strictly controlled, since it is difficult for infants to cough up and problems may arise if liquid gets into the throat. 1-2 drops in each nostril will be enough.

On a note

You can put oil in your baby's nose only in consultation with your pediatrician, only before bedtime, and only when the nasal mucosa is dry. If a child has liquid, even thick, snot in his nose, he should not be given oil.

Useful video: put drops in your baby’s nose correctly!

Possible complications after a runny nose

A runny nose in a baby can subsequently cause various complications.

Chronic runny nose

Chronic runny nose is very widespread. From time to time, the baby's nasal passages become clogged in turn, as a result, breathing through the nose becomes difficult and sometimes even impossible. Treatment of this condition is significantly more complicated compared to ordinary rhinitis. However, it is quite possible to carry out treatment at home.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses. It can be provoked, like other diseases, by contaminated physiological fluid, which, due to the lack of tightness in the nasopharynx, can spread throughout the entire respiratory system. The main problem is that due to poor development of the sinuses at an early age, sinusitis can occur without visible symptoms. You can treat sinusitis, as well as similar inflammations, such as tonsillitis or pharyngitis, at home.

The main cause of unpleasant odor from the nose is diseases of the ENT organs.

Otitis media

The danger of a runny nose in a child under six months of age is associated precisely with the high risk of developing this disease. There are 2 explanations for the fact that children at this age are susceptible to this complication:

Firstly, until 5-6 months the baby lies down a lot, and in this position it is not difficult for mucous secretions to flow into the middle ear through the auditory tube.
Secondly, at this age the auditory tube itself is short and wide. This structure contributes to the development of otitis media.

The main symptom of otitis media is pain in the ear area. At the same time, the baby begins to behave restlessly, constantly turning his head in different directions. In this situation, a mandatory examination by an ENT specialist is required. In the future, without proper attention, the baby may develop purulent discharge from the ear. This signals that the inflammatory process has reached a critical point. Plus, pus leaking from the ear means the eardrum has ruptured.

If you react to the symptoms in a timely manner and take the necessary measures, otitis media can be treated at home. In addition, when the baby is already sitting, crawling or learning to walk, closer to 8-9 months, the likelihood of otitis drops sharply. Plus, the auditory tube gradually develops; by 7-11 months it lengthens and becomes wider. As a result, a runny nose in a 9-month-old child is dangerous not because of otitis media, but because of other respiratory diseases.

Reaction to stimuli in the air

Because of this reaction, a frequent runny nose usually occurs in infants. It seems to parents that the child gets sick every few days, which goes away in 2-3 days, but in fact the baby’s nasal mucosa becomes irritated due to the abundance of dust in the apartment, which accumulates between cleanings, or in response to the smell of cleaning products that Mom uses it once a week to clean the bathtub and toilet. Sometimes, when the effect of irritants is constant, swelling of the mucous membrane turns into a persistent runny nose in an infant.

In such cases, parents first need to find out what substances (or set of substances) the child reacts to by sneezing. Most often these substances are:

Dust on carpets, under beds, on bookshelves, designer uneven ceilings and walls;
Chlorine-containing cleaning products;
Cigarette smoke (almost all infants react to it);
Gasoline, vinegar, kerosene and other strong-smelling technical liquids;
Animal hair and bird fluff in the air, the remains of chitinous coverings of insects.

Basic approaches to treatment

The natural desire of any mother, as soon as the baby’s snot starts flowing, is to help him get rid of it. However, the treatment of a runny nose directly depends on the exact reasons that led to its appearance. Before you try to cure a child with various methods, you need to understand why the baby has snot, and for this you need to have him examined by a pediatrician. The doctor, having seen the nasal discharge and assessed the patient’s condition, will be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

In case of ARVI

In the first six months, breastfed children rarely experience ARVI. This is due to the fact that mother’s milk contains a large amount of immunoglobulins that protect the child’s body from infections of a viral and bacterial nature. In infancy, experts recommend using a minimum number of medications so as not to provoke a possible allergic reaction.

In case of ARVI, parents should resort to the following measures:

Clean your nose with saline solutions. To do this, you can buy regular saline solution at the pharmacy or make a special solution for instillation into the nose at home. Boiled water in its pure form is not suitable for these purposes, as it will irritate the nasal mucosa. Examples of pharmaceutical antiseptics are Furacilin and Miramistin.
Use antiviral nasal drops. They are based on interferon. They help strengthen local immunity and prevent the virus from spreading.
Use local immunomodulators. The most commonly prescribed nasal drops are Derinat. However, many pediatricians are of the opinion that it is not worth treating ARVI in infants with immunomodulators, since their immunity is in the process of formation and their use can negatively affect their health.

For a runny nose with ARVI, Derinat nasal drops are successfully used

Treat with homeopathic drops. Their use is quite common in the treatment of snot in infants. With rare exceptions, they do not cause an allergic reaction. In the first year of life, homeopathic drops “Euphorbium Compositum” are usually prescribed.

For complications of a bacterial nature

Complications of a bacterial nature include diseases such as otitis media, sinusitis, adenoiditis, and conjunctivitis. Typically, in such situations, antibacterial therapy is required, which consists of using:

Local antibiotics. They are usually included in nasal drops. The use of local antibiotics is contraindicated for children under 2-3 years of age. However, in severe cases of otitis or sinusitis, the pediatrician may prescribe them with a lower dosage.
Systemic antibiotics. Their use is justified in case of prolonged purulent runny nose, which signals the presence of sinusitis in the baby. Also, penicillin antibiotics are highly effective against streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. Unfortunately, penicillin can often cause allergies in infants, and then the doctor prescribes an antibiotic from a different group.
Vasoconstrictor drops. They are used as an anesthetic for otitis media, as such drops quickly relieve swelling and reduce pain in the ear. In addition to otitis media, they can be prescribed in case of prolonged difficulty breathing through the nose. Lack of oxygen due to impaired breathing can negatively affect the overall development of the body's nervous system. For newborns, drops with a mild effect, for example, Otrivin, are more suitable. “Vibrocil” or “Nasivin” is used after 1 year (we recommend reading: can “Vibrocil” be given to an infant?).

6 prohibited practices in the treatment of infantile runny nose

There are a number of actions that should not be done when treating snot in a child. These include:

Nasal rinsing. The consequences of such a procedure may be inflammation of the middle ear due to fluid entering the Eustachian tube during washing, or coughing, and in some cases laryngospasm, due to fluid entering the nasopharynx and pharynx.
Use of sprays. At the age of up to one year, the baby does not yet know how to hold his breath when liquid is injected, which as a result can enter the lungs and the baby can choke. So the use of sprays is allowed only after reaching 3 years of age.
Use of concentrated solutions. The child may get a burn to the mucous membranes, which causes a severe allergic reaction.
Nasal instillation with oil solutions. There is an opinion that the oil causes the cilia of the epithelium to stick together, which reduces the protective functions of the nasal mucosa. Frequent use of such solutions is undesirable.
Steam inhalations. Such procedures are dangerous due to burns of the body and respiratory tract, and laryngospasms.
Treatment with folk remedies, for example, instillation of mother's milk. This approach can lead the baby to intensive care.

Nasal sprays can only be used by older children

The most common questions when a baby has a runny nose

Infancy is an important period in the development and formation of a healthy body. To avoid unnecessary worries and worries associated with snot and its treatment, it is better to inquire with your doctor and ask him concerning questions. Among their many, the most frequently asked are:

How long does a runny nose usually last?

It all depends on the reason that caused it. In the case when it relates to the respiratory symptoms of ARVI, the duration ranges within 1 week. A bacterial infection is characterized by green or yellow discharge that lasts up to 2 weeks. If the snot does not stop after a two-week period, this indicates a possible allergic reaction.

What is the treatment for a runny nose in a newborn?

The basic principles of therapy are the same as for older infants. However, it is worth taking into account the anatomical features of the baby, such as the sensitivity of the mucous membrane and the narrowness of the nasal passages. Cleaning your nose should be done very carefully. It is important to monitor the dosage of medications and not overuse nasal vasoconstrictor drops and hormonal drugs.

Subsequent use of a large number of topical medications during the neonatal period can lead to allergic rhinitis and dysbacteriosis of the intestinal microflora. In cases where a runny nose is physiological in nature, treatment is not required. The period of formation of the mucous membrane can last up to 10 weeks, it is accompanied by copious mucus secretions.

What measures can be taken to help a baby with a severe runny nose?

When a baby produces too much mucus and it accumulates in the nasopharynx, this is a direct path to otitis media. You should suck out the snot using special baby aspirators and continue to do this as the mucus accumulates.

Often mothers are concerned about how to remove green mucous discharge from the nose, because children do not yet know how to blow their nose like adults. Young children need mechanical assistance to clear their nasal passages. Cotton pads, previously dipped in a saline solution, or devices designed specifically for suctioning out snot can be used as an aid.

Nasal aspirators are considered safe from the first days of life. However, they should only be used in cases of acute rhinitis; for everyday care, it is better to use cotton pads. Syringes and small syringes are not suitable for such purposes, as there is a high risk of injury to the mucous membrane.

You can remove mucous secretions using a mechanical or electric aspirator.

Another problem that parents of infants face is prolonged snot. A runny nose in a child 6 months and a year old can be a sign of teething and the symptom lasts until they erupt. This is usually a clear liquid discharge without fever or other symptoms of ARVI. Also, if a child continues to sneeze with green or yellow discharge after an illness or cold, this indicates a complication or infection. It is necessary to resort to drug treatment, and sometimes antibacterial treatment.