Nasal Congestion Remedies for Children

Nasal congestion occurs due to the inflammation of membranes lining the nostrils and blood vessels. This inflammation leads to obstruction of the nasal passages and proves to be quite an annoyance to children. Nasal congestion due to a common cold, is the body's way of protecting and healing itself. It can also be caused by food allergies or allergens from the surrounding environment.

A blocked nose is not a very serious problem, however, neglecting it can conduce to other problems like hearing issues, headaches, mild facial aches, etc. A substantial amount of nasal obstruction in children can lead to sleep disturbances, snoring and other sleep disorders. Children with nasal obstructions caused due to dilated lymphoid tissues have been observed to suffer from chronic sleep disorders, with depleted levels of oxygen supply and even heart failure. To avoid all these extreme conditions from arising, nasal congestion remedies for children are important. Read more on stuffy nose remedies.

Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion in Children

Remedy # 1
During incidents of nasal congestion, allow the child to have plenty of rest and sleep. Have your child drink plenty of warm water, vegetable broths and fresh fruit juices. It is important to get your child to consume plenty of fluids (more than usual) throughout the day, so as to flush out the irritants in the nasal passages. The congestion causing the blocked nose will also get cleared. Avoid giving your children beverages like tea and coffee.

Remedy # 2
For nasal clearance, have your child blow his or her nose frequently. For children unable to blow their nose, nasal suctions can be used before sleeping and feedings. However, limit the nasal suction to 4-6 times a day. This nasal suction process can be facilitated by using a nasal saline. Just place a few drops of nasal saline in each nostril and wait for 5 minutes before using the nasal suction. Then make sure you get a good seal between the nostril and the bulb suction. Occlude the other nostril with your finger and repeat this procedure as needed.

Remedy # 3
People living in dry climatic conditions could use a cool mist humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. Moreover, a hot steamed bath or shower is also a good nasal congestion relief for children, whereby, the discomfort is assuaged.

Remedy # 4
One of the common nasal congestion remedies for children that pediatrician gravely discourage is inserting cotton swabs in the baby's nostrils. The cotton swab has the tendency to push the nasal blockage further into the child's nostrils. Wiping off the mucus or phlegm from the nostril tips is recommended when one is aware of it. However, when one is ignorant about the kind of blockage causing the nasal congestion, it is best not to use cotton swabs.

Remedy # 5
Nasal congestion remedies for infants would be to breastfeed the baby as much as one can. If it becomes difficult to breastfeed as normal, supplement with Pedialyte (an oral electrolyte solution manufactured by Abbott Laboratories that is designed to replace fluids and minerals that are lost). Pedialyte keeps the child from dehydrating and is also easier to swallow.

Remedy # 6
Prop your child's head off the bed, while sleeping or else let your baby sleep in the car seat. Propping the head keeps the drainage from running back into the throat and assuaging the gagging and coughing.

Read more on:

• Nasal Allergy Medications
• Nasal Spray Side Effects

If your child does not show any signs of breathing difficulty or dehydration, then there is no need to visit the pediatrician. However, if despite all nasal congestion remedies for children, your child still has breathing difficulties, then you need to take your child to a pediatrician. Call upon your pediatrician is the nasal congestion lasts beyond 7 days. If the congestion is being caused by some allergies, then elimination of those allergens from the diet or the environment has to be done.