Rhinitis in the baby: what should parents do?

Acute rhinitis, or runny nose, is one of the symptoms of an acute respiratory viral infection, which is accompanied by high body temperature, decreased appetite and cough. It is especially difficult for a baby who behaves restlessly, does not eat well and often wakes up.

The first sign of rhinitis is the appearance in the sinuses of a liquid and transparent substance - serous, then mucous, and after the spread of bacterial infection - mucopurulent. Rhinitis in the baby is harder tolerated because the nasal passages are small and clogged faster than in adults. The child is difficult to suck his breast with a stuffy nose, and sometimes almost impossible. In addition, the baby can not blow his nose, and therefore parents should help him cope with the disease.

So, a cold in the baby. What to do?

1. Cleaning of nasal passages with the help of cotton buds with restrictors (they are specially produced for children). Carefully collect the mucus and dried crusts. Do not damage the delicate skin, ask another person to hold the baby - he can shake his head and toss and turn.

2. Moistening of the nasal mucosa. This can be done by digesting a regular mineral water or special products based on sea water ("Salin", "Aqua Maris"). They are easy to use and safe for babies. After moistening, the crusts are removed more easily.

3. Use of nasal aspirators. The simplest is a rubber pear or can with a tip for the nose. If a cold in the baby, choose a soft nozzle. Click on the balloon or pear, letting out all the air, hold the tip to the nostril, and hold the other one. If the pear or bulb is slowly released, the mucus will be absorbed. Aspirator ENT-doctors recommend to use only with a strong nasal congestion, when the above described means do not help. If this device is used too often and unjustifiably, there is a risk of infection and development of otitis media. The electric aspirator is safer, but quite expensive.

4. Drops in the nose vasoconstrictive can be used only on the advice of a doctor! They contain alpha-adrenomimetics (drugs "Nazivin", "Otryvin") or sympathomimetics ( "Nazol Baby"). With the action of these substances, the vessels narrow, there is less blood flowing to the nasal mucosa, the swelling subsides, and breathing is greatly facilitated.

Means "Nazivin", according to the instruction, children from one month to a year is prescribed 1-2 drops in each nostril 2-3 times a day, newborns - 1 drop. Do not use any sosudosuzhivayuschie drugs for more than 5 days, with prolonged intake of the common cold may worsen. Observe the dosage and use special children's drops (where the concentration of the active substance in the solution is lower), since in high concentrations they can cause irregularities in the heart. Remember the signs of poisoning with vasoconstrictive means: rapid pulse, lethargy and drowsiness.

Sometimes cause a runny nose in the baby teeth that are about to appear. A distinctive feature of this rhinitis - it lasts no more than 4-5 days and the discharge is watery, transparent.

The choice of means to cure a cold in the baby, today is huge. But when using them, you should be careful and attentive, act on the advice of a doctor. In time, seek medical help. Be healthy!