Nasal Sprays, Drops and Inhalers

Nasal Sprays, Drops and Inhalers

Many conditions including infections such as cold and flu, allergies or irritants can irritate nasal tissues and blood vessels, causing them to swell up. In order to get rid of the foreign substance that is causing the inflammation, the mucus membranes produce excess fluid. And this excess fluid causes congestion of the nasal passages. The affected person usually has a stuffy feeling in his/her nose thus, the condition is also known as "stuffy nose". Nasal condition is a symptom rather than being a medical condition in itself. Ailments like acute sinusitis, chickenpox, common cold, deviated septum, dry air, food allergies, measles, medications, etc., commonly have stuffy nose as one of their symptoms.

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
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Getting Rid of Nasal Congestion
Mostly, stuffy nose can be managed with the help of a few self-care measures at home. Note that, for younger children and adults, the condition is nothing but a mere annoyance. But for infants, it can interfere with their breathing, and nursing. And in rare instances, it can also cause life-threatening respiratory problems.

1. Inhaling steam is a natural and effective way to relieve a stuffy nose. Bring some water to boil, and pour it in a wide container. Now using a large towel, cover your head and ensure that it drapes itself over the container. This way it will trap the steam rising from the water. Inhale the steam deeply but slowly. Keep dong this for about 15 - 20 minutes. If you feel too much warmth inside, then take off the towel for sometime, before inhaling the steam again. Putting a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the water and inhaling the steam adds to the benefit of this steam therapy.

2. Increase the level of moisture in your living room by using a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer. You can apply saline nose drops in your nostrils. This will help loosen the dry secretions. To get rid of the nasal mucus, you can insert a nasal aspirator in the nostrils. Take care not to make too much use of such products, as they may cause irritation.

3. Increase your fluid intake when you face problems such as stuffy nose. Drinking plenty of water helps loosen thick mucus thus, encouraging nasal drainage. Also, it helps flush out pathogens such as bacteria or virus from the system.

4. Nasal irrigation is a popular home treatment method to relieve congested nasal passages. For this, you need to make a solution with table salt (1/8 tsp.) and 8 ounces of lukewarm water. Using a bulb syringe, draw some of this solution. Now lean over a sink and tilt your head to one side; left side for instance. Insert the tip of the syringe in your right nostril. Gently squeeze the bulb to squirt the liquid into your nose. Hold on to the same position until the solution drains out from the nose or mouth. Irrigate the other nostril too. You can repeat the irrigation until the fluid that comes out is clear. This process works because it flushes out mucus and irritants. (Note: always make use of distilled water, and a clean bulb syringe to avoid any infection. Also, after each use, the syringe needs to be cleaned, and rinsed with clean water.)

5. Nasal congestion can keep a person from getting enough sleep. For this, experts recommend keeping the head elevated than the rest of the body. This could be done by sleeping on two pillows or more according to the level of comfort. This encourages drainage. Also, taking a warm shower before going to bed at night, reduces congestion and helps in sleeping.

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, that have been caused by 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.

Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion in Children
1. Plenty of Rest, Sleep and Water: During incidents of nasal congestion, allow the child to have plenty of sleep and rest. Have your child drink plenty of warm water, vegetable broth and fresh fruit juice. 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 child may not be able to drink too much at one go, so keep giving small amounts of hot liquids throughout the day. The congestion causing the blocked nose will also get cleared. Avoid giving your child beverages like tea and coffee.

2. Blowing the Nose: For nasal clearance, have your child blow his or her nose frequently. Smaller children may not know how to blow their noses. Parents should show them how. Many pick up after imitating their parents. However, have them blow their noses gently, as forceful blowing can cause a lot of pain and even bleeding.

3. Nasal Suction: For children unable to blow their noses, 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.

4. Humidifier and Hot Bath: People living in dry climatic conditions could use a cool mist humidifier, to increase the moisture in the air. Children are also more sensitive to dry air, which can dry out the child's nasal secretions. Thus, it would be a good idea to get a humidifier that dispenses cold mist. This is especially beneficial for smaller kids. A hot steam bath or shower is also a good nasal congestion relief measure for children, whereby, the discomfort is assuaged. However, make sure you check the temperature of the water before exposing your child to it.

5. Wiping off the Mucus: One common nasal congestion remedy that pediatricians gravely discourage, is inserting cotton swabs down the baby's nostrils. Cotton swab has the tendency to push the nasal blockage further into the child's nostrils. Instead wiping off the mucus or phlegm, from the nostril tips is recommended. Moreover, when one is ignorant about the kind of blockage causing nasal congestion, it is best not to use cotton swabs.

6. Breastfeeding: One simple nasal congestion remedy for infants would be to breastfeed the baby as much as one can. Breastfeeding not only soothes the inflamed nasal passages, but also helps loosen the dried mucus, blocking the nasal passages. If it becomes difficult to breastfeed, 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.

7. Sleeping at an Elevation: Often parents notice that their child's nasal congestion problem is worse when the child lays down, however, seems to get better when the child sits upright. This is because congestion is worse in the lying position and in the elevated position, the airways are free for breathing to take place. 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.

8. Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil has decongestant properties, which heal the nasal passages and reduce the swelling. Pour two to three drops of the oil into a napkin and have your child inhale the vapors, throughout the day. For smaller children, pour a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the pillow, so that the child inhales the eucalyptus vapors while sleeping and has no nasal congestion at night. You can even add it to the humidifier. However, it is important to note that eucalyptus oil should not be taken orally or applied to the skin.

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, your child still has breathing difficulties, then you need to take your child to a pediatrician. Call upon your pediatrician if the nasal congestion lasts beyond 7 days. If the congestion is being caused by some allergy, then elimination of those allergens from the diet or the environment has to be done.

Myotcstore Related Products:

NeilMed SinuFrin Nasal Decongestant Spray - 15 ml

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Halo Oral Antiseptic Spray 35 Adult Doses, Berry - 1 oz