When a cough and runny nose appears in a one-year-old child, parents begin to worry and bother. The kid is naughty, does not sleep well at night. A clogged nose prevents the baby from breathing normally and eating. Colds require urgent treatment.
Causes of the common cold
Experienced mothers know how to treat a runny nose in a one-year-old child, but when the first-born grows up in the family, the parent experiences anxiety and confusion.
The situation is aggravated and often repeated in the cold season. The reasons why a year-old baby has a fever and a runny nose are quite common:
- poorly formed immunity;
- infection by infection and viruses;
- reaction to an allergen;
- overheating or hypothermia;
- lack of hygiene.
Before treating a runny nose in a one-year-old child, it is necessary to find out due to what circumstances he developed it.
Runny nose diseases
Children's catarrhal diseases entail such unpleasant symptoms as fever, chills, a stuffy nose, redness of the throat, cough, snoring.
If the baby has signs of a cold, it must be shown to the doctor. The correct diagnosis will help cure the baby from possible diseases.
Usually, a runny nose manifests itself with such infectious diseases of the respiratory tract as:
- rhinosinusitis - inflammation of the sinuses and nasal mucosa;
- laryngotracheitis - inflammation of the larynx and upper mucosa of the trachea;
- nasopharyngitis - inflammation of the sinus mucosa;
- coryza.
Attention to the child
It is easy to notice the first symptoms of a runny nose. The baby begins to sniffle, is naughty, opens his mouth to improve breathing. He becomes moody. Disturbed appetite, sleep, characteristic mucus appears from the nose. The child's cheeks acquire an unnatural red color. This is due to the moisture of the nose, the mucus from which the children spread their palms on the face.
Parents notice changes in behavior and worry about how to quickly cure a runny nose in a one-year-old child.
Aspirator - a constant assistant
A severe runny nose is an unpleasant problem, but it can be solved. Timely treatment of the common cold in a one-year-old child will quickly relieve his condition and prevent the aggravation of the disease.
A baby’s clogged nose is filled with thick mucus, and it’s difficult for a little man to get rid of it on his own. For such cases, parents need to purchase an aspirator in a pharmacy kiosk, with which you can release the sinuses. Reviews confirm that almost every family has such aspirators.
Helpful hints
The following tips will tell you what to do with a runny nose in a one-year-old baby. They were collected based on feedback from parents and doctors:
- Do not leave the problem on its own. Every day, the mucus will thicken, dry out in the nasal region, which will aggravate the well-being of the child. A runny nose will not go away on its own, and the baby’s breathing is much more difficult.
- Snot can be cured with saline prepared by hand. The solution is made from pure warm water and sea salt. Drop 1-2 drops in each nostril.
- Before treating a runny nose in a one-year-old child, consult with your doctor what medications are best to bury the nasal canals. Strictly adhere to the dosage indicated in the instructions. The child’s body is very susceptible to medical means, excess drugs can be harmful.
- During sleep, place a small roller under the head of the crumbs. This will prevent stagnation of mucus in the baby nose.
- Do not miss outings. A stream of fresh air can ease the baby’s breathing.
- Observe the density and color of the discharge. If drops of blood appear in the mucus, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Necessary actions
Severe runny nose in a one-year-old child requires immediate therapy and medical advice. It is necessary to create a suitable environment at home that will help the baby soon cope with the disease.
Before treating a runny nose in a one-year-old child, regardless of the nature of the disease, take the necessary measures in your home:
- Ventilate the room and do wet cleaning. The source of dust is the primary cause for the appearance of rhinitis and allergic reactions.
- Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations in the room.
- Eliminate all kinds of flavors. If possible, remove from the house everything that can be a source of allergies and the appearance of inflammatory processes.
- Do not use aromatic oils to rub the baby's body.
Medical facilities
How to treat a runny nose in a one-year-old baby? The main components are cleansing and hydration.
Pharmacies provide many medicines aimed at combating such an unpleasant phenomenon as a runny nose.
To cope with swelling and clogged nose, you can use several drugs:
- antiviral;
- vasoconstrictor;
- moisturizing;
- decongestants.
Drug List
Few parents know what and how to treat the common cold of a one-year-old baby. In such cases, consult a pediatrician or pharmacist.
The following drugs will help get rid of snot and a stuffy nose in the baby. They are, according to parents, the best:
- "Viferon" - an excellent tool that helps with a cold and inflammatory processes, copes with viral diseases.
- "Vibrocil" is a medication whose effectiveness is associated with the duration of the disease.
- "Bioparox" (it was discontinued in Russia, but it can be purchased in Ukraine and Belarus) is a medicine aimed at eliminating the common cold and fighting bactericidal ailments.
- "Aqua Maris" is a solution for washing the sinuses, which includes sea salt.
- "Fluimucil" (in drops), "Mukodin" remove a viscous secretion from the nasal canals and facilitate breathing.
- "Zirtek", "Zodak" - antihistamine drops that help cope with a runny nose with allergies.
It is important to use several drugs. Washing the nose will facilitate the baby’s breathing, but will not save him from the further progression of the disease.
Honey and onions will relieve torment: folk remedies for the common cold
If a one-year-old child does not go down with a runny nose, parents can resort to using traditional medicine. Grandmother's funds helped children of many generations.
Many parents use folk recipes and know how to quickly treat a runny nose in a one-year-old child. Positive feedback from parents can be heard about the following methods that traditional medicine offers:
- Beet is a good medicine. Beetroot juice is washed the nose of a small child three times a day. This procedure has a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane, relieves leaks and improves the well-being of the baby.
- To cope with the common cold of a one-year-old baby, garlic juice will help. A few cloves are rubbed on a fine grater. A drop of olive oil is added to the resulting mixture. Insist for a day. The next day, filter the gruel through gauze and instill the baby’s nose twice a day with the medicine obtained.
- An effective cold medicine is obtained by mixing honey with an onion. A teaspoon of onion juice is combined with a spoon of honey. The child is given a spoonful of medicine before eating. It is suitable if the baby is not allergic to honey.
- Many grandmothers will tell you how to treat a runny nose in a one-year-old baby with aloe. Agave leaves are crushed and filtered through linen fabric. The resulting juice is instilled in the nose of the crumbs in 1-2 drops. The tool is effective and safe even for the treatment of snot in monthly babies. It is used only in fresh form. Not subject to storage.
- A weak infusion of chamomile is a proven and effective remedy for babies from a cold. 1 tsp chamomile inflorescences are brewed in a mug of boiling water and cooled to 36 degrees. Drip 3-5 drops in a child’s nose. The product has anti-inflammatory properties and helps speedy recovery.
- A decoction of oak bark is often used to wash the sinuses. It has a vasoconstrictor effect, is an antimicrobial agent.
For washing and instillation of the nasal canals, infusions of herbs such as yarrow, calendula, thyme, linden, mint, currant and raspberry leaves are successfully used.
Additional activities
Before treating a runny nose in a one-year-old child, pay attention to certain aspects and make corrective changes:
- The baby's daily diet should be enriched with foods with vitamins C and D, antioxidants.
- Rinse the baby’s nose daily, use an aspirator.
- Let's get plenty of fluids, fruit juices and compotes, tea with lemon.
- Limit contact with outsiders for a while. Avoid crowded places.
- Watch for house cleaning, air humidity, an overdried room complicates the course of the disease.
- Do not walk on windy weather.
- Do not ignore the child's complaints about the condition of the nose and shortness of breath.
- Do not let the mucus dry.
- Use sprays for nose and rinse with products made on the basis of sea salt.
- Do not rush to treat your child with antibiotics. Strong remedies can harm the baby’s fragile immune system. Parents' reviews confirm that they use antibiotics only when necessary.
The use of medicines based on aromatic oils can damage the mucous membrane of the sinuses of the baby. Among the medicines, choose water-based gentle drugs.
Prevention - First and foremost
Experienced parents know: it’s easier to prevent a disease than to treat it.
To a small child was not susceptible to colds and attacks of microbes, it is required to adhere to certain rules:
- Frequent hand washing prevents viral infections. It is important to accustom the baby to simple observance of the principles of personal hygiene, especially after a walk, visiting the toilet and public places.
- The use of alcohol-based wet wipes is an excellent way out of the situation for parents who are walking with their child away from home. Wipe your baby’s palms and face after playing in the sandbox, traveling on public transport, visiting the playground, or contacting animals.
- Disinfect the surfaces of the house and children's room. Wipe away dust accumulation daily with a damp cloth.
- Ventilate the room.
- Temper your child, adhere to proper nutrition. Do not forget about the mandatory water procedures.
- Use oxolinic ointment as intended when visiting a store, clinic, crowded places.
- Keep the baby away from people infected with a particular disease, even if they are your friends and relatives.
Attentive attitude, care and timely reaction of parents will help the baby stay in a healthy state and good mood.