We are in one of the most relentless winter cold seasons in anyone’s memory. Parents deserve every award out there for getting through this year. It is hard work. On average, children get sick 6-8 times per year but this year, all of those illnesses seem to be happening at once or back to back over the course of these last few months. Let’s talk about one of the more common symptoms-a runny nose.
So what causes a runny nose? Most of the time, a runny nose and cold is caused by a virus. There are many different viruses that can cause a cold but rhinovirus is the most common one.
How do we get colds? Colds are spread when a cold virus gets in your child’s nose, mouth or eyes. It can do this in one of two ways.
colds are spread through touch
and through Droplets
Droplets with virus can pass from one child to another child through sneezes or coughs. The virus lands on surfaces or gets in their eyes, nose or mouth. Sometimes there are other symptoms as well such as a low grade fever (less than 102F) or a cough.
How contagious are cold viruses? It depends which virus is causing your child’s cold but on average a child can be infectious from 2 days after the appearance of symptoms to 2 weeks. It is reasonable to assume that if there is mucus, they can make other people sick. You can catch the same or a similar virus more than once but the second time around, the symptoms are usually milder since we have developed some immunity. That can explain why the same illness seems different between household members.
How should we treat colds and runny noses? If your child is over the age of 2 and healthy, they will most likely tolerate a cold without any complications. If they have asthma or any other chronic illness, you should consult with your Pediatrician for what measures you should take during colds. Children under 2 need to be watched more closely since they occasionally can be sicker than older children with the same virus. Children 3 months and younger will need to see a doctor right away in person with any cold or illness.
Basic treatment for colds- Your 2 year old and older child should be encouraged to rest, offered lots of fluids and given Tylenol or Motrin (6 months and older only) for fever and aches. Children don’t know how to tell you that they have a headache or that their body is aching or that they feel more tired than usual or less hungry. We can assume that if we feel these things when we are sick, they do too. Treating these symptoms with Tylenol can make everything else easier-drinking enough fluids, resting comfortably, and staying somewhat active.
We recommend using saline and Nose Frida for nasal congestion-Studies have shown that clearing mucus with saline and perhaps even using the aspirator called Nose Frida, can help with relieving congestion. This is beneficial in all ways. It helps with preventing spread of the infection to other children and it makes your child more comfortable and able to breathe easily. We believe that it can also help prevent ear infections by preventing the blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube from the throat to the eardrum) with mucus.
If you can’t use the Nose Frida even saline sprayed into the nose regularly can help dissolve the mucus and keep the nasal passages healthy. Please note that you should use nasal saline that is just salt water, no chemicals. Brands that are chemical free include-Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Jr. Nasal Relief. We don’t recommend using Flonase or other chemical based nose sprays because they do not add any benefit and can make things worse.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
How often should I use the Nose Frida or Saline Spray? You can use saline and aspirators gently as often as 4-6 times per day. Please read the inserts for more information on how to use your particular version of this. This should be done gently and as best you can with your child understanding what you are doing and participating in it. Children always deserve an explanation and gentle guidance and care. A fight now will make all future colds more difficult.
GENTLE TECHNIQUES
It is really important to use age appropriate explanations including demonstrating on yourself first when giving medicines or performing the nasal suction on your child. This can go a long way to help develop trust and to make all future colds easier.
What else should I do to help my child with a runny nose? We will explore treatments for coughs and other cold symptoms in a later blog. Here we are focussed on runny noses. Keeping your child’s airway humidified with a humidifier as well as sitting in the bathroom for a few treatments with the hot shower running in the background, just sitting in there, perhaps reading her a book, while safely steaming for 5-10 minutes is very helpful. Please note that it is popular to use Vick’s Vaporub on your child with a cold. We prefer to use a eucalyptus version of this-try Maty’s Vapo Rub made of all natural ingredients and available at CVS-that provides the same menthol effect without any chemical dangers. Camphor and turpentine oil, both ingredients in Vick’s, can be harmful.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Cold viruses really irritate our nasal passages so keeping the nose as healthy as possible theoretically will help them heal faster. Use soft wipes on the nose or clean rags that you can throw in the wash. Put Aquaphor or antibacterial cream externally just beneath the nose if any redness develops to heal the skin. Give lots of fluids-all that mucus is a loss of fluids for your child. Staying hydrated will help them feel better during the illness. If they are not eating well, use Pedialyte or diluted apple juice instead of plain water so that they receive some sugar and salts as well.
OTHER MEDS
A note about other medicines available over the counter-There are so many choices of cold medicines available for parents at the drugstore. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend any of these to children less than 7 years of age. The reason is is that there are ingredients in these medicines that can lead to sedation or can cause us to overdose when giving more than one type of medicine. More importantly, they rarely help. Runny noses are best relieved by clearing the mucus via saline and the aspirator and Kleenex-the less mucus that hangs around your child’s nose and airway, the better! Please note that Aspirin is never used for children unless specifically prescribed by your doctor.
IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR CHILD-
Please reach out to your Pediatrician or take your child to the nearest ER.
When should we worry? Most cold viruses are minor illnesses. Your child may play throughout the runny nose and congestion as if nothing is wrong. Alternatively, the body aches and tiredness may make your child take more frequent naps and perhaps eat less. They may even get a low grade fever. Treat all of these as appropriate with Tylenol or Motrin and fluids. Expect to see an improvement after these fever and pain reducers are given-your child should be more active and willing to eat and drink. If your child does not perk up, or has been sleeping a lot, or has any difficulty breathing, or has a high fever, or has not been drinking enough, or has been sick for 4-5 days, you will need to see a Pediatrician in person. They will check to make sure your child is hydrated and does not have any complications such as an ear infection from the cold.
A final note-We at Tiny Pediatrics are happy to see your child for a runny nose or many of the other childhood illnesses Virtually via your phone and video. We provide the information in this blog to help you care for your child. It is vital though that you realize that you are your child’s best advocate. If you are worried, then we are worried. This information is a guide only. You should consult a Pediatrician if there are any health concerns.