Frequent colds, allergies, and sneezes can clog a child’s nose, making it difficult for him to breathe properly. This can be a source of discomfort for him and anguish for parents, so it is essential to know solutions to deal with this situation.
Saline solution to relieve nasal congestion in children
Saline solutions help decongest the nose in toddlers, substantially improving the breathing of children. In the pharmaceutical market, there are many brands, divided into three categories:
- Hypotonic: have a lower salt concentration than human blood.
- Hypertonic: have a higher salt concentration than human blood.
- Isotonic: have the same concentration of salt as human blood.
The type of mixture to be used will depend on the level of nasal congestion. Isotonic solutions work best in cases of colds and allergies, while hypertonic solutions can help manage the congestion associated with chronic respiratory disorders. The solutions with lower salt concentration do not seem to be very effective in combating the stuffy nose in toddlers.
If the congestion is strong and you do not have a saline solution at home, you can prepare it with three ingredients:
- Water
- Salt
- Sodium bicarbonate
The only thing that varies is the amounts to use depending on the type of serum you need to decongest your child’s nose:
- For an isotonic solution: a cup of water, half a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of bicarbonate.
- For a hypertonic solution: dissolve a teaspoon and a half of salt and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda in the cup of water.
The homemade solution is stored in a dropper, and three drops are applied in each nostril while the child rests horizontally for about 5 minutes, unless you start coughing because in that case, you will sit until you start to expel the accumulated mucus from natural form. Help or teach the child to clean their nose correctly so that it eliminates the mucus that causes congestion.
How to decongest the nose in children – Saline solution to relieve nasal congestion in children
Nasal Aspirator
Although the nasal aspirator device can be used alone, when combined with saline it can be more effective, since the liquid causes the mucus to move and the aspirator helps to remove it.
There are aspirators for newborns and others for babies a little larger and, although the models can vary, in most cases they work similarly:
- Tighten the pump or pear
- Insert only the tip into the child’s nostril
- Pump to extract mucus
- Clean the nasal aspirator
In case nasal congestion is caused by the accumulation of mucus, this is a very good way to get decongesting the nose in children.
Incorporate the child when it rests
Raising the top of the mattress of the crib or bed of our child can help drain mucus and reduce inflammation that can cause congestion in the child.
In the case of cribs, this elevation should not be achieved by putting pillows, since newborns and babies should not use them. It is always more advisable to add a pillow under the mattress and the child’s head directly.
Inhalation of vapor
While there are many home remedies that recommend inhaling vapors of medicinal plants such as eucalyptus or chamomile, the reality is that specialists advise against its use because of the risks of burn associated with bringing the child to the source of steam, either by the contact with the hot container or the high temperatures of the vapors themselves.
The safest way to decongest the nose in children using this method is with the steam from the shower. Open the hot water, when the steam comes out, go with your child to the bathroom and close the door. Do not go directly into the shower, as the drops of hot water could burn you, stay in the room with steam as if it were a wet sauna. With the door closed the steam is concentrated in the bathroom so that you can stay with the child a few minutes safely for both.
Humidifiers to relieve nasal congestion in children
One way to relieve nasal congestion is to keep the air in the child’s room moist. This is achieved through the use of humidifiers, but in this case, only those that generate new steam and without pointing directly to the child’s body are recommended. Placing a glass or container with water inside the room can help enhance this effect.
If neither of these methods works to decongest the nose of the child, or if the congestion does not subside with the passing of the hours, it is best to take the child to the pediatrician to diagnose the cause of the congestion and prescribe an appropriate treatment for Their case.
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