Runny Nose Drying Up the Drip
RUNNY NOSE Drying Up the Drip
Among kids, runny noses are as common as sticky fingerprints on the woodwork. And when kids get together, wet noses often outnumber dry ones. That's because a runny nose is usually a sign of the common cold. And experts say the average child is likely to catch a cold virus about eight times a year. Figure in the fact that colds are spread fastest by busy hands, multiply this by all the times children handle the same books and playthings, and it adds up to a lot of drippy noses.
And viruses aren't the only cause. Runny-nose problems can also be prompted by cold air or by allergens like dust, animal dander and pollen.
Of course, there's a good side to mucus. It's nature's cleansing mechanism, according to Ted Kniker, M.D., professor of pediatrics, microbiology and internal medicine in the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. ''A runny nose has some utility because it helps flush out bacteria, viruses, irritants and tissue debris associated with inflammation,'' he says.
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| When to See the Doctor If you have an infant, you should contact your doctor if your baby's runny nose is accompanied by a fever, or if it prevents him from eating or drinking, says Lee D. Eisenberg, M.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. For an older child, check with the doctor if his runny nose is accompanied by coughing or a fever of 103° or more. If the nasal discharge persists beyond two weeks, or the mucus is yellowish or has a strong odor, you'll also need to check with a physician. ''Color, odor and a cough can all indicate an infection that should be treated with antibiotics,'' says Dr. Eisenberg. |
But even a good thing can be overdone. A nose that runs too heavily or too often can make both you and your child uncomfortable. If that's the case, here's what the experts suggest to do.
Encourage blowing with tissues. ''The only trick to nose blowing is getting your child to do it,'' says Bob Lanier, M.D., a pediatric allergist and immunologist in private practice in Fort Worth, Texas, and host of the nationally syndicated radio and TV program ''60 Second House Call.'' One way you can encourage a child to blow more often is by giving her some personal tissue packs. Add some stickers with her favorite cartoon characters--like the Little Mermaid, for example.
Teach toss-'em-out habits. Used tissues should go straight into the trash, or your child could pass on her cold virus to other kids, says Dr. Lanier. Make sure your child has a wastebasket nearby, and stress the importance of using it.
Teach her to wash her hands afterward, too. Studies show that contaminated hands spread viruses faster than sneezes do, says Dr. Lanier. Remind your child to wash her hands after using tissues, and after a while she'll get into the habit.
Buy a tube of lip balm. ''A child may resist nose blowing because her upper lip is raw from wiping away mucus,'' says Helen Baker, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle. An older child can carry lip balm in his pocket and use it as needed to soothe the irritated area. Toddlers are too young to carry lip balm, but a thin coating of petroleum jelly may help. ''Try to smear a coating of Vaseline on your child's upper lip whenever you get the chance,'' says Dr. Baker.
| The ''Sniffle Salute'' May Signal Allergy ''If your child's runny nose lasts more than two weeks, there's a good chance it's caused by an allergic condition,'' says Ted Kniker, M.D., professor of pediatrics, microbiology and internal medicine in the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. An obvious clue is if he constantly rubs the tip of his nose with his palm in an upward fashion--what some doctors refer to as the allergic salute. Other signs include intense sneezing, burning, itchy and watery eyes, and bluish circles under the eyes ( known as allergic shiners). A doctor can perform skin tests to help identify the sniffle trigger. For hay fever--like symptoms, your doctor may also suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine to help your child through the sneezing season. For more persistent symptoms, a prescription steroid nasal spray or allergy shots may be needed. Another possible cause of runny nose in children under two is an allergy to a food such as cow's milk. ''Five percent of all babies have cow's milk sensitivity, which can cause nasal allergy, asthma, colic, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes,'' says Dr. Kniker. When milk is removed from their diets and a formula with low allergy potential is substituted, he says, often the runny nose and other symptoms vanish. But this change in diet should only be made with a doctor's recommendation. |
Give a salty squirt. Over-the-counter saline (saltwater) drops and sprays, such as Ocean, can help flush out irritants that may be causing the nose to run, says Dr. Kniker. To put the drops in your child's nose, have him lie on his back on the bed, with his head over the edge, advises Dr. Baker. Place two drops in each nostril and let them seep in for two to three minutes.
Prop up the head of the bed. Tuck a strong support under the head of the bed, to elevate it, suggests Dr. Baker. In addition, you can use extra pillows to prop up the child's body even more. The prop should be about 18 inches high. That way, you enlist gravity's help so mucus can drain better. You also help prevent seepage down the back of the throat, which can lead to coughing fits, he says.
Fend off cold air with a scarf. If your child's nose drips when she's in cold, windy air, she probably has nonallergic rhinitis, says Lee D. Eisenberg, M.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. This is a harmless, common condition that can be remedied by wearing a scarf over the nose to warm the incoming air, he says.
Suction away those secretions. A baby may have so much excess mucus that it interferes with his breathing and he can't drink or eat comfortably. ''He'll kick up a fuss until you clear his nose,'' says Dr. Baker. The fastest way to do this is with a rubber ear bulb, purchased from the drugstore. ( She prefers it to a nasal aspirator because it has a longer, easier-to-use tip.)
Place the baby on his back. Squeeze the bulb, then insert the long, tapered tip in one nostril, and gently release the bulb to suction up the mucus. Withdraw the tip and squeeze the secretions out in a tissue. Repeat with the other nostril. When you're done with the ear bulb, boil it before you use it again.
