A Toddler With A Stuffy Nose

While few enjoy having a stuffy nose, the condition can be particularly irritating for toddlers. Although toddlers share a developmental quest for autonomy and often try to refuse parental help, many are not able to blow their own noses to clear nasal passages on their own. It may take a good deal of patience, but parents who learn about nasal congestion in toddlers can more effectively manage this condition.

Causes

Nasal congestion in toddlers can occur for many reasons. Common culprits are colds, the flu, a sinus infection or seasonal allergies. A stuffy nose, however, can also occur if there is an object lodged in the nose, especially if the nose seems only stuffy on one side. Parents should try to find the cause for the congestion so they can provide the proper treatment. Those who are unsure of the cause may want to consult a doctor or pediatrician for advice.

Remedies

Saline solutions can ease the congestion of a stuffy nose in a toddler. Saline nose drops are available at most drugstores and supermarkets, but parents can also make their own at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of water. After placing a few drops of this solution inside the toddler's nostrils, parents may want to use a bulb syringe to suck out the excess mucus. This is particularly helpful for younger toddlers who are unable to blow their noses effectively using a tissue. In addition, propping the toddler up with pillows and using a humidifier in the room where he sleeps may help.

Hygiene

Stuffy noses often turn into runny noses, and practicing proper hygiene techniques can decrease the chances of spreading germs. Dr. Dan Levy, pediatrician and contributor to BabyCenter.com, states that most toddlers are developmentally ready to learn how to blow their own noses around the age of 2. Parents can encourage this behavior by modeling the appropriate way to blow a nose and providing tissue boxes with child-friendly designs or characters. They should also remember to show their toddler how to throw away used tissues and to wash her hands afterward. Although it may take practice before toddlers are able to handle this entire process on their own, the proper support and encouragement from their parents can go a long way.

OTC Cough and Cold Products

Although many parents turn to over-the-counter cough and cold products when they are seeking relief from nasal congestion, they should think twice before doing so for their toddler. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend the use of any cough or cold medication for children younger than 2 because serious and life-threatening side effects can occur. The FDA is also reviewing information about the safety of these in children 2 through 11 years of age, but has not yet reached a conclusion.

Warning

Although having a toddler with a stuffy nose is generally not a cause for alarm, parents should call the doctor if the toddler displays other serious symptoms. These may include blurred vision, sore throat, yellow or white spots on the throat or tonsils, coughing that last longer than 10 days, coughing that produces gray or yellow-green mucus or swelling of the forehead, side of nose, check or eyes. In addition, they should also report a stuffy nose that interferes with the toddler's ability to eat, drink or sleep or one that lasts longer than two weeks, warns Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health

Livestrong.com