Coryza, sneezing and itching in the nose for sure more than once in my life every person experienced. This condition is very unpleasant and can cool anyone out of the usual rhythm. It is especially difficult to bear the disease for babies. Indeed, many children under three years of age do not even know how to clean their sinuses from accumulated mucus on their own. This article will tell you how to rinse your baby’s nose with saline. You will also find out how to use this remedy in older children. From the information presented, you will learn how to quickly and correctly get rid of a cold.
Origin of pathology
Before children wash their nose with saline, it is necessary to find out the cause of this symptom. It is worth noting that the flow from the nose can be pathological or physiological. The latter species is most often encountered by infants. In this case, you can rinse the baby’s nose with saline. How to do it right will be described below.
If the onset of a runny nose is caused by a pathology, then we can talk about bacteria, a virus or an allergic reaction. All these cases have individual treatment. So, for example, anti-virus products will not help you cope with bacteria or eliminate allergies. That is why, before children wash their nose with saline and give various medications, it is worthwhile to see a doctor and get qualified advice.
Nasal cleansing: pros and cons
So, you visited the doctor and found out what caused this symptom. Before starting corrective measures, it is necessary to properly clean the nose. If the child can blow his nose on his own, then your task will be easier. When the baby is not yet able to independently blow mucus from the sinuses, an aspirator is required. Is it possible to rinse the nose with saline for the child? The answer to this question can take two forms.
If the baby does not have otitis media or inflammation of the Eustachian tube, then such manipulations are allowed. When ear diseases in various forms join a runny nose, it is strictly forbidden to perform such actions. This information should always be reported by a pediatrician or ENT when prescribing a medication. Remember: as soon as the baby begins to complain of pain in the ear - all washings should be canceled.
Using saline to cleanse the nose
Before children wash their nose with saline, it is necessary to warm it. Quite often, the drug is stored in the refrigerator. The opened ampoule must be kept there. However, cold administration of the drug is strictly prohibited. This can cause not only severe discomfort, but also provoke an increase in the inflammatory process. Dilute the drug with water or other liquids is not necessary. The product is already ready for use.
How to rinse the nose with saline for a child (2 years old and younger)?
If you are a parent of a baby or young children, then flushing the nasal passages can be a serious problem. Turn the process into a game form. Make sure that the baby is not afraid of upcoming manipulations.
Take a pipette and instill in each nostril two drops of sodium chloride 9%. This dosage is supposed for children up to one year. If your baby has crossed the 12-month milestone, then he can pour five drops of saline into each nasal passage. After that, wait a while (up to one minute) and thoroughly clean your nose with an aspirator. In this case, the tip of the device must be turned in different directions. In this way, you will collect mucus from all walls.
For older children and adults: using a kettle for washing
How to rinse a child’s nose with saline? Currently, almost every pharmacy chain sells special kettles for the nose. They have a rather unusual bend for the pouring hole. Using such a device will lead to proper cleansing of the sinuses and the removal of all accumulated mucus. Be sure to rinse the dishes before use. After that, pour saline in it in the amount of 50-100 milliliters. This volume should be enough for you on both nasal passages. Tilt your child’s head over the sink and turn to one side. Place the teapot spout in one nostril (which is located higher) and start pouring liquid. After a few seconds, you will find that saline with existing mucus spills out from the opposite opening of the nose.
Syringe application
How to rinse the baby’s nose with saline if the device described above is not at hand? In this case, you can use a regular syringe. Take the device containing from 5 to 20 milliliters of liquid, and collect the prepared medicine in it.
Take a seat near the sink. Before starting the procedure, ask the child to open his mouth and stick his tongue out. This position will help to avoid getting the medicine into the respiratory tract and esophagus. The baby's head should be slightly tilted back. By sharp pressing the piston, inject sodium chloride solution into the nasal passage. Warn the child that this substance will fall into his throat. At this moment, the baby should not be confused and spit out the contents of the pharynx. Treat the second nostril in the same way. Remember that children up to 10-13 years old simply will not be able to react in the right way to such an intervention. That is why the use of a syringe is possible in older children.
Frequency of use
How children wash their nose with saline solution - you already know. However, this information is not enough. You need to know that often such manipulations can not be carried out. The maximum number of purifications per day should not exceed three. In this case, the intensity and nature of the common cold does not matter. With more frequent use of sodium chloride , dryness of the mucous membrane may develop. In this case, the body will try to produce even more mucus to moisturize it.
Try to rinse immediately before using the drug. In this order of application of drugs, the effect of treatment will come quickly.
The introduction of medicinal compositions
When the nasal passages are completely cleaned, you can start using medications that will help you get rid of the common cold.
- If the pathology is caused by a viral infection, then prescribe antiviral and immunomodulating drugs. These include Interferon, Grippferon, Derinat, IRS-19, as well as many others.
- For bacterial infections, antimicrobials are prescribed - for example, Protorgol, Isofra, Polydex.
- If a runny nose is allergic in origin, then doctors often recommend using Vibrocil, Avamis, Tafen and some other compounds.
Summing up the article
You found out whether it is possible to wash the nose with saline to the child. If a runny nose is caused by a viral pathology, then this method of treatment may be enough. However, do not get involved in such manipulations. After recovery, it is not recommended to wash the sinuses. This often leads to dryness and nasal congestion. Follow the doctor's recommendations and be healthy!