Even such a seemingly banal disease as a runny nose in children, unlike adults, is quite serious. A runny nose is especially dangerous for infants, since they have narrow nasal passages, which even a slight swelling of the mucous membrane leads to a sharp violation of breathing.
Due to the anatomical and physiological features of the structure of the nasal cavity and auditory tube, a runny nose in young children is often complicated by otitis media. Therefore, it is important to know what measures should be taken in case of a cold.
In most cases, a runny nose is the main symptom of many common respiratory infections. Rhinitis in children can be caused by allergies or environmental pollution.
For infants, sometimes rhinitis treatment requires active intervention and hospitalization. In older children, a runny nose, as a rule, does not require special treatment, since it is only a symptom of a respiratory infection, which is most often caused by viruses. The treatment of such a rhinitis is based on the general rules for the treatment of acute respiratory infections. If rhinitis is accompanied by a bacterial disease, such as sore throat or tonsillitis, antibiotics are naturally prescribed.
At the initial stage of a cold, you need to take care of the cleanliness of the air in the house. Important: regular ventilation, wet cleaning, elimination of foreign odors and active humidification of the air.
A child with a runny nose also needs an increased drinking regime (especially if there is a fever) in order to replenish the loss of fluids. In the absence of temperature, thermal procedures in the form of foot baths or general baths and showers are useful, since they reflexively relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa and facilitate breathing.
It is also necessary to regularly (4-6 times a day) use products to moisturize and cleanse the nasal cavity. They make mucus easier to pass.
For nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor drugs (drops or nasal spray) can be used to ease breathing. But it should be borne in mind that they do not cure a runny nose, but only temporarily eliminate the swelling of the nasal mucosa. The duration of the use of vasoconstrictor drugs should not exceed 5-7 days, and it is better to instill them in the nose not regularly, but only on demand (when it is very difficult to breathe), no more than 2-3 times a day.
