Thick mucus that can't be blown out

Mucus is a liquid secreted from the human nasal cavity. The first batch of mucus is usually produced after a person catches a cold, but many people with rhinitis will produce mucus even if they do not have a cold. Nasal discharge is also a major culprit for rhinitis, but the shape of each person's runny nose is different. Some people's runny nose is lighter, while some people's runny nose is thicker, and some even seem to be unable to be wiped away. So what should we do if our nasal mucus is too thick to wipe out?

Causes of increased nasal discharge

The causes of nasal congestion and increased nasal secretions include:

Acute upper respiratory tract infection, allergic rhinitis, acute (chronic) sinusitis, etc.

What happens if your nasal cavity is blocked?

Nasal obstruction can affect children's feeding and nighttime sleep. Long-term nasal obstruction can lead to bacterial sinusitis.

The process of sinusitis:

Long-term nasal congestion may backflow and cause chronic cough.

Therefore, if the nasal cavity is blocked with a large amount of mucus and the child cannot blow his nose effectively, we need to use some methods to help the child clear the nasal cavity.

Commonly used methods

1. When the secretion is small

Although a nasal aspirator can clear nasal secretions, it is not necessary to use it when the secretions are small.

① If you can directly see the obstruction or secretions in the nose, take a cotton swab for babies, wet it with water or baby oil, and insert it into the nostril (no more than 2 cm) to remove the secretions. Be careful not to insert it too deep into the nasal cavity to avoid causing damage.

② Use a wet and warm towel to apply hot compress on the nose. When the nasal mucosa is exposed to heat, it will shrink and the nasal cavity will be more unobstructed. At the same time, the sticky nasal mucus will also be easily hydrated and flow out.

2. Sea salt water nose drops

Suitable for kids of all ages, including newborns.

It can be used when the child has dry and sticky snot that cannot come out.

It is recommended to buy normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride, 10ml per bottle, available in hospitals). If you find it troublesome and don't want to go to the hospital for a prescription, you can use commercial saline nasal drops.

Directions:

◆ If you use a nasal aspirator, first drop a few drops of saline into each nostril of the child. Since it is just a few drops, the child can just lie down and no special posture is required. After nasal drops, just use a nasal aspirator to suck out the snot. Be careful to put the tip of the aspirator into the nasal cavity where there is snot, and do not stick it to the nasal mucosa to avoid sucking on the mucosa and causing damage.

◆ When using a nasal bulb, first flatten the aspirator, then place it in the nasal cavity where there is snot, slowly relax the force of pinching, and suck out the snot.

◆ If you use a cotton swab to stick out the mucus, first drop a few drops of saline into each nostril of the child, then drop 1-2 drops of saline on the cotton swab and enter the nasal cavity to stick out the mucus. Alternatively, you can use a small pair of tweezers to pick out the hard nasal mucus. I personally recommend using small tweezers.

◆ How many times a day? It depends on the situation. 3 or 4 times is fine.

3. Sea salt water nasal spray

Suitable for kids of all ages, including newborns.

It can be used when children have dry and sticky nasal discharge that cannot come out; or when they have rhinitis or sinusitis.

Directions:

◆ Let the child lie on his side, and spray the nostril which is on top. Spray 1-3 times according to the size of the child (you decide, there is no right or wrong). At this time, secretions may flow out from the lower nostril, mouth, or nostril on this side. Wipe it clean. Afterwards, let the child change the direction of lying on his side, so that the lower nostril is on top, and repeat the above process.

◆ For older children who can sit, let them sit leaning forward with their heads slightly lowered, and spray each nostril separately. This way the snot will flow out easily. It is not recommended to tilt the head back, as this will allow the snot to easily enter the pharynx and go into the stomach.

◆ 3-5 times a day is fine.