How to treat nasal drip in children?

In our normal life, it is not difficult to find that there is always some snot in the nose, which is a very normal phenomenon. However, for many children, their nasal discharge seems to be abnormal and is a sign of illness, such as nasal drip. Nasal drip can also cause excessive secretion of nasal mucus in children, irritating the throat and causing coughing and other problems. So, what is the treatment for nasal drip in children?

What is postnasal drip?

Normal sinus mucosa produces about 1 quart (about 946 ml) of mucus per day. Normally you swallow this mucus without noticing it. However, allergies, irritations, viruses, fungi, or sinusitis can cause the lining of your nose and sinuses to swell and produce more mucus than normal. This mucus can irritate the throat and cause a cough. The feeling of excess mucus in the back of your throat is called postnasal drip.

How is cough caused by postnasal drip diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose the cause of postnasal drip, your doctor may order a sinus CT scan or an examination of your nose or throat using a special camera. The goal of treatment is to stop the postnasal drip.

To control post-nasal drip:

1. Avoid exposure to factors that you know may cause symptoms. These may include pollen, mold, animal dander, dust, smoke, temperature changes, and dry air;

2. Drink 6 to 8 8-ounce (227 ml) cups of decaffeinated beverages each day unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Most people don't drink enough fluids, which causes mucus to thicken. Drinking plenty of fluids can reduce the viscosity of mucus. Caffeinated beverages increase the viscosity of mucus.

You may be asked to try some medications for a few weeks to see if they are working. This can be called an experimental treatment. Ask your doctor approximately how long the trial treatment will last. An experimental treatment may be one of many that need to be tried until a chronic cough is under control.