In young children, the immunity is rather "flimsy", because they often suffer from various diseases. A snotty nose is a common occurrence, especially since bacteria are excreted along with the liquid. Parents begin to scare the runny nose, if the snot becomes yellow, especially when this condition does not pass for a long time.
In our material we will tell you what could be the reason for the appearance of such secretions and how they should be treated.
Causes of yellow snot
Most often this problem is observed if:
The common cold is under completion. Abundant transparent snot turn yellow, become thick, they can still bother the child for about a week after recovery. Within 3-4 days, the body produces antibodies to the bacteria that caused the runny nose, after which it disappears.- There is a complicated runny nose, as a result of which the infection turns into the maxillary sinuses. In this case, the snot will be yellow, purulent in appearance. The nose starts periodically to lay. Symptoms such as fever and headaches may also occur.
- Inflamed tonsils, from which the bacteria simply penetrate into the sinuses or into the bronchi. As a result of swelling of the tonsils, the child cannot breathe normally, snoring may occur. Moreover, even the removal of the tonsils does not always save from disease, which is usually associated with low immunity.
- Allergic rhinitis, which may take a chronic form.
- Curvature of the septum, which can be a congenital problem, and caused by frequent colds with a constant runny nose.
- Foreign body exposure. The fact is that children quite often put small objects in their mouth and nose that can not only harm the mucous membrane, but also block the nasal passages, which leads to festering snot.
- Constantly finding the child in a too dry room. As a result, the mucous membrane begins to dry, crusts form on the nasal passages, mucus accumulates inside and becomes yellow.
The common cold is under completion. Abundant transparent snot turn yellow, become thick, they can still bother the child for about a week after recovery. Within 3-4 days, the body produces antibodies to the bacteria that caused the runny nose, after which it disappears.In addition, the presence of yellow snot can tell about the presence of a bacterial infection in the child’s body. That is why it is so important to visit a doctor in time, who will be able to find the true cause of such a problem and prescribe treatment.
A little about the complications in children
Special anxiety should cause discharge, which appear in infants. And all because their cause can be a cold or infection from an older family member.
The main danger is that the clogged nose does not allow the baby to suck milk properly - it will not gain weight and develop. In the event of a violation of nasal breathing, after a period of time, it may stop completely.
Due to the fact that the child has an imperfect immune system and there are some physiological features, the infection in infants spreads as quickly as possible, which can cause otitis media and pneumonia. In children of any age, such snot can lead to the following complications:
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- bronchitis.
If the disease is associated with a bacterial infection, in the absence of proper treatment, heart disease can develop.
When should I seek medical help?
In some cases, in order to eliminate such a problem, it is enough to humidify the air in the room, to remove dust, if we are talking about allergies. With a small cold, you should just flush your nose.
But you shouldn’t treat at home, if in the presence of yellow snot there is the following:
- The runny nose is more than two weeks.
- Increased temperature.
- There is blood in the mucus.
- Baby complains of pain in the head.
- On the face, especially near the nose, there is swelling.
After the examination, the doctor will prescribe the required treatment.
Principles of home treatment
If you use traditional methods of treatment, then any means you should first try for yourself - you need to make sure that they will be harmless to the child. And remember that you can start treatment at home only in the absence of complications.
The main methods of treatment often depend on the age, degree of the disease.
Cleaning the nasal cavity
It is necessary to clean with saline. It is better and more convenient to rinse using a syringe. If the baby has not yet learned to blow his nose, you need to use cotton buds, and in order for the child to sneeze, drip lightly salted water in his nose beforehand. Also on sale you can find special children's "tools" for sucking snot.
Drops with sea salt or saline
It is necessary to bury drops in the nose, and are best suited:
- Salin.
- Aqualore.
These agents have a disinfectant effect. Moreover, the concentration of salt in such compositions does not cause irritation. Furatsilin or Miramistin should be used as antiseptics.
You can also use oil solutions of vitamins, use vaseline or peach oil, which softens the mucous membrane and protects it from drying out.
The use of vasoconstrictor
Do not do without the use of tools that will ease breathing. These include:
- Naphthyzinum.
- Nazol
- Tizin.
Such means are available both in the form of drops, and in the form of sprays, the latter, by the way, are more effective, but they should not be used in the treatment of children under three years of age. At this age in children, the auditory tubes are very close to the nasal passages, and when the medicine is released under pressure, foreign microorganisms can get along with it. As a result, it can cause otitis.
And many experts, including Dr. Komarovsky, believe that such funds do not cure a cold, but only alleviate the condition. They also can not be taken longer than a week, because after this period the body becomes accustomed to the drugs, as a result of which there is a dependence.
Antimicrobial agents
In the presence of yellow snot in a child, Protargol is a fairly effective remedy, which has an antimicrobial effect.
What popular ways to help
Inhalation - one of the most effective ways in the presence of yellow snot. To do this, you can use a solution of soda, decoctions of herbs, potatoes, solutions based on essential oils (for example, mint, pine, etc.), also help anti-inflammatory decoctions of chamomile.
If there is no special inhaler on hand, just use a kettle. Moreover, when treating a child, it is much more convenient to do this: sit with the baby at the table, cover with a large blanket or towel, put a decoction container at the bottom so that the child can inhale useful vapors for 10 minutes.
There is also another option: put a sleeping napkin on the breast of the sleeping child, wetting it in eucalyptus oil - this option is suitable even for newly born children.
To wash the nose, you need to prepare the decoctions of those herbs that have an antibacterial effect, reduce inflammation. For this fit chamomile, sage, St. John's wort.
A few words about prevention
So that the child does not have such a problem as yellow snot, you should take care of his immunity so that he less often forgives. To do this, hold hardening, helps proper nutrition, when all dishes are filled with vitamins. Also reduce the risk of diseases walk in the fresh air.
It is important that the baby is dressed according to the season, the apartment should be fresh and clean (air more often, do wet cleaning). Also, treat adenoids in time and immediately consult a doctor if complications arise.
For example, Dr. E. Komarovsky emphasizes that when treating yellow snot, emphasis should be placed not on the pills, but on abundant drinking, humidifying the air in the room. This will prevent thickening of the discharge.
