A runny nose can be a big challenge

Author: Dr. Galina Kisyova

Every parent is worried about frequent and non-stop runny noses in children, especially at the age when they attend nurseries and kindergartens. We are all aware that on the way to building a healthy and stable immune system, the organism of the small child goes through various viral and bacterial infections.

Still, a runny nose can be quite a challenge, both for the parent and their attending paediatrician.

The nasty garden snot

If you’re a parent of a child who attends nursery or kindergarten, you can’t help but worry about another runny nose, also called back runny nose or garden snot, especially if it’s constantly being brought back from kindergarten and you must miss work.

It is quite normal, during the natural growth of the body, that the frequency of viral infections is greater in small children. According to some studies, preschoolers get sick an average of 8-10 times a year, which sounds shocking, but is within the normal range. This is due to their still weak and immature immune system, as well as their intensive contact with other children during the day.

Good nasal hygiene can limit the frequency of illness

It is inevitable that children will get sick from time to time, thus building up their immunity against various viruses, but what we as parents can do to limit the frequency of illness or at least make runny noses a less frequent occurrence, is first of all to build habits for good personal hygiene in children.

The prevention of frequent runny noses includes: a healthy and varied diet, sports from early childhood, adequate sleep, walks in the fresh air and in nature.

Children’s personal hygiene includes, in addition to frequent hand, face and teeth washing, but also periodic cleaning of the nose with a suitable isotonic solution. Rinsing with a saline solution helps to clean and moisturize the nasal cavity, thus strengthening the natural defence of the mucous membrane. In addition to nasal washes, we can help children over 2 years of age by taking Sinupret syrup, especially in cases of aggravated allergic and other rhinitis, sinusitis and rhinosinusitis.

What is a back cold?

A runny nose is common in children and causes them problems from time to time. This is a buildup of mucus in the back of the throat that can cause a snoring and stuffy nose, throat irritation from runny secretions, and/or a wet cough. This is a common condition with the common cold, sinusitis, and allergies.

The most common symptoms of a runny nose in children are a constantly blocked or runny nose; persistent cough with sputum; tickling all over nasopharynx, red throat; expectoration of stringy sticky discharge; urges to cough constantly because of the need to clear the throat; increased amount of mucus in the throat; hoarse voice, bad breath, etc

Other complications can start from a common runny nose

Untreated, post-nasal drip can lead to otitis, rhinoethmoiditis and sinusitis. Due to the slow development of the various sinuses with age, in children up to 4 years the ethmoidal sinus is most often affected, since the maxillary sinuses develop after this age, and the frontal sinuses after the tenth year of life.

One of the main reasons for the more frequent rhinosinusitis in infants and young children is that their skulls are still morphologically and anatomically underdeveloped. In addition, the mucous membrane that covers the sinuses in young children is thicker and more prone to swelling. Even with a banal runny nose, the swelling can block the natural openings of the sinuses to the nasal cavity, cause retention of the secretion accumulated there and lead to inflammation. This problem is most common in infants, where proper sinus drainage is further hampered by their predominantly supine position, as well as the greater incidence of gastroesophageal reflux in this age group. Allergies in early childhood are also among the common causes of sinus inflammation.

Sinupret syrup is suitable in cases of rhinitis, sinusitis or upper respiratory tract infection. It is a suitable remedy for the problem of back runny nose. Sinupret is a medicinal product entirely of plant origin, which has proven its benefit to the patient in terms of efficiency and safety. Its timely use can prevent the occurrence of complications such as otitis, sinusitis and lower respiratory tract infections. It has a pleasant taste, does not contain sugar and dyes. Sinupret syrup liquefies secretions, unclogs the nose and relieves headaches. For older children over 6 years of age, there are also Sinupret tablets.

As a paediatrician, I am regularly visited by patients with complaints of prolonged runny nose, “rear” discharge and cough from runny nasal secretions, acute sinusitis, nasopharyngitis and others. In these conditions, they are greatly helped by taking Sinupret for self-treatment or, if necessary, in combination with antibiotic treatment.

Dr. Galina Kisyova is a specialist paediatrician and paediatric endocrinologist in Stara Zagora. Member of the Bulgarian Medical Union, Bulgarian Paediatric Association and Bulgarian Society of Paediatric Endocrinology. She has participated in numerous national and international congresses, qualification courses and seminars in Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology. She publishes scientific articles in periodicals of Bulgarian publishers and websites. Participation in Bulgarian scientific forums with reports and poster presentations.

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