Signs and Remedies of Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion in infants and toddlers can be worrisome for the parents because the little ones feel very uncomfortable. The blocked nose can be due to inflamed blood vessels due to cold, allergy or infection due to sinus. They cannot blow their nose and clear the congestion, which makes it very tough for them. They cannot even convey that they are uncomfortable and parents need to keep a watch on them all the time. My baby used to suffer from nasal congestion very frequently and I was always worried about it. The first step is to look for the signs of nasal congestion, and if you find them, take measures to relieve the discomfort.

Signs of nasal congestion

1) Runny Nose : Running nose can cause nasal congestion.

2) Noise while breathing: You can hear a noise while the child breathes.

3) Sneezing: A child sneezes in an attempt to clear the blockage in the nose. But he does not succeed every time. Sneezing can also irritate the mucous membrane.

4) Decreased appetite: Appetite decreases in kids when their nose is blocked. This is because they have difficulty breathing and feel uncomfortable.

5) Difficulty in sleeping: Blocked nose causes difficulty in sleeping.

6) Trouble in nursing or having milk through a bottle: Again due to difficulty in breathing.

How to relieve nasal congestion in kids?

1 )Elevate head during sleep

Elevate the head side of the mattress to keep the head elevated. This elevation helps in breathing.

2) Warm Steam

Warm steam helps in diluting the mucus and clearing the nose.

3) Nasal Drops

The first step would be to use Nasivion Nasal Saline drops after consulting your doctor. If they do not work, try the Nasivion Nose Drops. It is a nasal decongestant which comes in an easy drop form. It can unblock the nose to help your baby/toddler play and learn in a more enjoyable way. Its active ingredient Oxymetazoline is soft on the nose. It provides up to 12 hours of easier breathing. There are two types of the nasal drops for different age groups and following is their usage:

a) Nasivion Mini (Baby 0.01%) Nose Drops : Intranasal administration for infants below one year. Up to the age of 4 weeks, instill 1 drop of the solution into each nostril 2-3 times per day. From the 5th week of life until the age of 1 year, instill 1-2 drops into each nostril 2-3 times per day. Do consult a physician/pediatrician before using it.

b) Nasivion Pediatric (Child 0.025%) Nose Drops : For children aged between 1 to 6 years only: instill 1-2 drops into each nostril 2-3 times per day or as directed by the physician. Do consult your pediatrician before using this product.

Please Note: Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride is present in the nasal drops, thus should not be used for longer than 10 consecutive days. A treatment-free period of several days should precede any repeated use.

4) Use nasal aspirator

Nasal Aspirator helps in sucking out the mucus from the blocked nose. Use an aspirator after using saline drops or steam. See the manual of the aspirator for further instructions on how to use it properly.

5) Keep your kid hydrated

If the baby is still on milk, try to feed him frequently to keep him hydrated. For toddlers, give them lots of liquids like juices, warm soup etc.

6) Use a humidifier

The humidifier keeps the room of the child moist which will make it easy for him to breathe. You may use essential oil like eucalyptus, which further helps in clearing the blocked nose.

Let your child take lots of rest. See a doctor in case your child has a high fever or has a lot of difficulty in breathing.