What should I do if my child always has a stuffy nose?

Experts say that colds, lying down, and being exposed to cold can all cause nasal congestion in babies. Under these conditions, the baby cannot breathe well, and will become irritable and cry. At this time, mothers can use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to moisten the baby's nostrils, or they can use olive oil, both of which are very effective.

1. What are the causes of nasal congestion in children?

1. Cold: When you are allergic to or injured by the outside air, the surface mucosa will not only swell, but the secretions will also increase significantly, which can easily block the nasal cavity.

2. Lie flat: When sitting, the secretions will flow out of the nostrils as snot, and when lying down, the secretions will flow backwards to the throat, and even irritate the throat, causing itching and coughing. Many children who are fine during the day will cough constantly when they go to bed at night, which is usually caused by the so-called "postnasal drip".

3. Encountering cold: Generally, the blood vessels and mucous membranes in the body expand when heated and contract when cooled, just like the hands and feet respond to changes in temperature. However, the vascular membranes in the nasal cavity do the opposite, "contracting when heated and expanding when cooled" (note). Therefore, when encountering cold wind or air conditioning, the vascular membranes swell and secrete more, making nasal congestion and runny nose more severe.

2. What to do if your child has a stuffy nose?

1. Use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to moisten the nostrils. Do not put the cotton swab inside. Just dip a little water and rotate it in the nostrils and take it out. Repeat this several times. The water will moisten the secretions in the nostrils. Let the baby breathe hard or use your hair to stimulate the baby to sneeze and the secretions will come out. But remember not to have too much water on the cotton swab, otherwise the water can flow into the baby through the nostrils and choke him.

2. Pinch the outside of the baby's nose with your fingers and rub both sides of the nose. This will loosen the secretions inside and slowly come out on their own.

3. If the secretion has dried up, dip a cotton swab in some moisturizing oil or olive oil, put it in the nostrils and rotate it in a circle to remove the secretion.