Recently, when the temperature drops, many children are troubled by nasal mucus and nasal congestion: nasal mucus wheezes downward, and parents wish to wipe it after a few steps. Children with nasal congestion suffer even more, and they cannot eat well or sleep well…
Runny nose and nasal obstruction are typical symptoms of the common cold. As we all know, the common cold can heal itself without taking medicine. But looking at the baby, parents are worried. Is there any what way to make the child more comfortable?
Of course there is!
Today, we invited pediatrician Kong Lingkai to teach us a wonderful way to effectively relieve nasal congestion and discomfort-physical nasal washing.
The left nostril enters the right nostril and exits, making the child’s nasal cavity easier.
Nasal washing is to use sea saline or normal saline, spray it from one nostril, and then rinse the nasal mucus out of the other nostril.
The purpose of washing children’s noses is not to [cure diseases], but to make children more comfortable.
Cold or allergy will cause swelling of the mucosa of the child’s nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. When the child’s nasal mucus increases, it will lead to nasal cavity blockage, and the child will naturally suffer and breathe hard.
In addition, various viruses, bacteria, inflammatory mediators and other stimuli accumulate in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. If they are not cleaned out, discomfort symptoms will continue to be unable to be relieved.
The baby is too young to blow his nose voluntarily. Washing his nose in time can wash away these dirty things and relieve swelling of nasal mucosa.
Is it amazing and surprising to look at the picture? There are so many dirty things hidden in the child’s small nasal cavity! (It’s really cute and disgusting)
Let’s look at the changes inside the nasal cavity when washing the nose.
By washing the nose, irritants such as nasal mucus, allergens, viruses, bacteria and the like can be washed away, the concentration of local inflammatory media can be reduced, nasal ventilation can be improved, and children can breathe smoothly.
Then the question arises, does what need a nose wash?
As long as the child’s nasal mucus is large and thick, causing nasal congestion and discomfort, he can wash his nose.
Whether it is allergic rhinitis or infectious rhinitis, whether it is viral infection or bacterial infection, nasal washing is applicable, and discomfort such as nasal obstruction, runny nose and nasal congestion can be effectively improved after nasal washing.
However, if the nasal mucus is clear water, it can flow out on its own. At this time, it is not necessary to wash the nose, just wipe it.
Children of different ages pay attention to nose washing methods.
1. Newborns and infants
Babies under 1 year old are recommended to wash their noses with saline nasal drops.
Let the baby lie on his side, wash the upwards nostrils with nasal drops, pay attention to the nasal cavity, not the nasal septum (cartilage in the middle of the nostrils), just squeeze the saline clean with [biu], wipe the nasal mucus out of the baby, then lie on his side and wash the nostrils on the other side.
Remember to ensure that the flushed nostrils are always on it during operation.
In addition to nasal drops, you can also use sea saline spray, nasal suction ball or syringe nasal washer to wash your baby’s nose.
After the baby is slightly older and can sit firmly, he can choose to sit and wash his nose, just let the child lower his head slightly forward, to ensure that nasal mucus can flow out, and try to keep the child’s mouth open, so that the pressure in the nasal cavity and ears of the child is not so great and he can be more comfortable.
2. Children (1 ~ 3 years old)
Children of this age can choose to use syringe-type or squeeze-type nasal washer to wash their noses. Note that if the child has not been exposed to nasal washing before, he may not be willing to let you wash his nose, so pay attention to the method and strategy.
When washing your nose, you should also let your child open his mouth or make a [ah] sound all the time to make it more comfortable.
3. Older children over the age of 3
If the child’s nasal mucus is sticky or thick, and the amount of saline may not be enough for children of this age to operate with syringe type, then it is necessary to use squeeze bottle type, and the specific posture is the same as the above method.
The above nasal washing devices are equipped with special saline for nasal washing. Just buy them directly. Don’t configure them at home! Not hygienic!
Also don’t wash your child’s nose with clear water. The concentration of clear water is different from that of nasal mucosal secretions, which will damage nasal mucosa.
Can you choke when you wash your nose? Can you get otitis media?
When I recommended nose washing to many parents, everyone paid more attention to safety issues.
1. Will children choke when washing their noses?
Children do feel a little uncomfortable when washing their noses, but this degree is tolerable.
As long as the posture is correct, you won’t choke. Lean the child’s head forward, don’t lean back, and quickly spray water into the nasal cavity.
2. Will washing the baby’s nose lead to otitis media?
Many parents will worry that when washing their noses, they will be under great pressure, which will easily cause otitis media by rushing nasal mucus into their ears.
This kind of worry is unnecessary.
There is a tissue between the nasal cavity and the ear called eustachian tube, which can adjust the pressure inside and outside the ear by [opening-closing]. When washing the nose, be sure to let the child open his mouth or shout [ah ah ah], which can make the pressure inside and outside the ear consistent. This principle is the same as opening his mouth when we take off and land on a plane, which will make the ear more comfortable.
Even if the nasal mucus is accidentally rushed into the ear, the nasal mucus will be discharged from the eustachian tube to the nasal cavity excretion function, so there is no need to worry about this problem.
Moreover, when the child suffers from nasal inflammation, the opening of the eustachian tube at the nasopharynx is mostly closed due to swelling, and it is even more difficult to spray nasal mucus into it.
3. What if the child does not accept nose washing?
Parents can show their children by themselves, or play house and show them with dolls. When they are older, they can also show their children videos and explain them while watching them.
When washing your nose, be sure to let your child open his mouth or shout [ah ah ah] long, so that the pressure inside and outside your ears is consistent. If your child is comfortable, he may be able to accept it.
It is suggested to give positive guidance as far as possible and not to force it. If it causes [bad experience] to the baby, it will be difficult to try again later.
Children really don’t want to, but they can wait for the baby to grow up and try again. Some babies will rush to do it after washing their noses several times and feel very comfortable.
If the child has discomfort such as headache and ear pain when washing his nose, do not force the child.