A child’s malaise always excites his parents. Most often, babies suffer from a runny nose. Only after this the children develop a cough, weakness. In some cases, the temperature rises. It is worth noting that mucous discharge from the nasal passages is not always evidence of the disease. Sometimes this process is physiological. This article will tell you why a runny nose appears in a child up to a year old. How to treat this symptom will be described below. You will also learn the opinions of specialists on this issue. It is worth mentioning that you can give your child a runny nose at home.
See a doctor
If there is a runny nose in a child up to a year, how to treat it? For starters, it's worth visiting a doctor. Doctors say the following. The correction method directly depends on what caused this symptom. In most cases, it is a viral infection. Less commonly, a runny nose (snot) appears due to a bacterial lesion. Also, the baby may be prone to an allergic reaction, as a result of which discharge of mucus from the nose begins.
If the pathology appeared in the newborn, then in this case we can talk about a physiological runny nose. In this case, treatment should be selected accordingly. We will understand why a cold occurs in a child up to a year, how to treat it and prevent it later.
Physiological Slippers
Before treating a runny nose in a baby, you need to show the baby a doctor. In most cases, newborns have physiological snot. Their appearance is explained as follows.
While in the womb, the infant is in fluid. It can penetrate the ears, nose, mouth of a child. After birth, this mucus leaves on its own. Only in emergency cases it must be sucked off with a special device after cutting the umbilical cord. Further, in the first month of life, a small nose can make grunting sounds. The treatment in this case consists in using an aspirator and the Aqua Maris preparation. Follow the steps below. Put two doses in each nostril of the baby. After that, use an aspirator to suck the mucus out of the nose. After that, you need to use the oil from the common cold. Twist a cotton swab and moisten it in baby oil. After that, clean the spout with these devices and remove the remaining crusts.
Allergic rhinitis
How to treat a runny nose in an infant if it is caused by an allergy? Many children suffer from urticaria or rhinitis. With the right approach to treatment, these pathologies go away on their own with age. That is why it is so important to consult a doctor on time, and not conduct the correction yourself.
If an allergic rhinitis occurs, it is necessary to first establish an irritant. To do this, pass some tests. Preparations for the correction of pathology can be as follows: Avamis, Tafen, Fenistil, Zirtek, and so on. For children of the first six months of life, Vibrocil is used. It is worth noting that many allergy medications cause drowsiness. Topical agents can be addictive with prolonged use.
In the treatment of allergic rhinitis , all irritants must be eliminated. The house needs to be cleaned up. Try to discard carpets on floors and walls. Thoroughly wash the curtains and upholstery of upholstered furniture. Mattresses and pillows should be cleaned. Also revise household chemicals. Sometimes a new powder or bathing agent becomes the cause of the allergy. Baby clothes also require thorough cleaning. Parents and relatives in contact with the baby need to give up perfume, tobacco and other respiratory irritants.
Viral nature
If there is a temperature, cough, runny nose in a child, how to treat the baby? In most cases, these symptoms indicate the acquisition of a viral infection. A small child can get sick 8-10 times a year. This is an absolute norm and should not cause concern to his parents. With a virus infection, a runny nose can be disturbing for about one week. During the correction, the symptom disappears faster. The temperature in this case lasts for more than three or five days. If the fever is longer, then we are talking about bacterial pathology.
Treatment for viral rhinitis always requires the use of antiviral drugs. In addition to combating pathological microorganisms, drugs help strengthen immunity during the illness. Such funds include suppositories "Viferon", "Genferon", "Kipferon" and others. Among the tablets, the following drugs stand out: "Anaferon", "Isoprinosine", "Ergoferon", as well as many others. Often, pediatricians prescribe homeopathic remedies and food supplements. Among them are Oscillococcinum, Aflubin, Agri, and so on. For topical use, the following formulations are used: Derinat, Interferon, IRS-19, and the like. All of these medicines should not be used on their own. You must first consult with your doctor and get his permission.
Bacterial pathology
If the temperature and runny nose in a child, how to cure a baby? With an increase in the readings of the thermometer for more than five days, we are talking about the attachment of a bacterial infection. In this case, you can not do without taking antimicrobial medications. They can be prescribed for oral administration or topically.
Among the drugs that are used orally, one can distinguish preparations based on amoxicillin (Flemoxin, Amoxiclav). Also, agents with azithromycin (Sumamed) are often prescribed. All these compounds are capable of affecting the intestinal microflora. That is why when using antibiotics for the treatment of the common cold, it is necessary to conduct a parallel course of taking beneficial bacteria. Of the preparations for local use, the following can be distinguished: Isofra, Polydex, Protorgol, Bioparox, and so on. They can be used as an independent medicine or in complex therapy.
Inhalations - help or harm?
A good remedy for treating a cold and cough is an inhaler. It is worth noting that at high temperatures it is impossible to perform such procedures. Otherwise, you will seriously harm your child.
Inhalations can be carried out using many medicinal solutions. Also often used and decoctions of plants. Many parents attribute this method of treatment to folk remedies. However, doctors still distinguish it as a medical intervention.
Folk recipes
If there is a temperature and a runny nose in a child, then many mothers try to cure the baby with folk remedies. Perhaps this is correct. Many recipes allow you to abandon the use of drugs. However, it is worth consulting a doctor before using them.
- Warming up. Pour five tablespoons of mustard into a warm bath and put your baby there. Such water treatments should last at least 15 minutes. After that, wrap the baby and put in bed.
- Onion and garlic. When thick green mucus appears, antibacterial drops can be prepared. Take five milliliters of onion juice and garlic. Mix the liquid with a few drops of liquid honey. Inject one dose into each nasal passage three times a day.
- If the baby does not have a temperature, and the runny nose is not caused by sinusitis, it makes sense to warm the sinuses. Fry the salt in a dry pan. Pour white substance into a towel and fold it tightly. Attach an envelope to one side of the nose for 10 minutes. After that, also warm up the second part.
Prevention
So that you do not have to think about how to cure a runny nose for a baby, carry out preventive procedures. Here are some tips that you can use to reduce your child’s illness:
- Rinse the baby’s nose with saline.
- Organize proper nutrition for the baby. Every day, vitamins and beneficial elements should be present in his diet.
- Walk with your child at least twice a day.
- Use herbal oils for breathing.
- Wash your hands a little more often.
Summarizing
Now you know why a cold in a child up to a year may occur. How to treat a symptom in a particular case is described in the article. Remember that some folk remedies can trigger an allergy. Be careful during such manipulations. Health to you and your baby!