Runny & Stuffy Nose Care Guide

It sounds like you or your child are dealing with a runny or stuffy nose. Read on for a clinically-vetted runny & stuffy nose care guide so you can ensure you start to feel better, faster.

While runny/stuffy noses are generally caused by a virus and need to simply run their course, there are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process and/or find a bit of comfort while your body battles this virus.

In today’s email, we’ve got:

• Medication-free home remedies
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• Medication options
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• Vitamins / Vapor Rub
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• Signs a runny or stuffy nose is more serious
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Medication-Free Home Remedies

• For a runny nose, blowing your nose is all you need to do! If your kiddo hasn’t mastered blowing their nose yet, you can suction their nose with a suction bulb or a NoseFrida.
  
  
• Apply petroleum ointment (such as Aquaphor) on the outside of your or your child’s nostrils or lips to prevent chapping.
  
  
• For a stuffy nose in our older kids or adults, try a NeilMed Sinus Rinse or neti pot. Avoid using tap water; you can purchase sterile or distilled water, or you can boil your own! Boil water for 3-5 minutes, then let it cool before using. 
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• Babies and kiddos under 6 years old with a stuffy nose will have more luck (and comfort) using saline drops or sprays to thin the mucus. Then suction their nose clear or have them blow their nose well if they know how.
  
  
• Ease pain and pressure from congestion by applying a warm compress (like a damp towel) across your eyes and nose. If your kiddo is under 2 years old and you want to try this, make sure the towel isn’t too hot and don’t leave them alone with it.
  
  
• Ensure that whoever is sick is increasing their fluid intake. The more fluids you drink, the thinner the mucus becomes and the easier it is to clear your nose. Plus, staying hydrated allows your body to focus on the illness and it alleviates other problems that could arise from dehydration.
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• Warm fluids loosen respiratory secretions and increase the flow of nasal mucus. Great options based on age:

          0-6 months: stick with breast milk and/or formula

         6-12 months: warm water is an extra option. If you’ve introduced juice already, warm apple juice is a great option (half juice, half water).

         12 months and beyond: warm tea or chicken soup can be added to the arsenal.

• Try a cool-mist humidifier, which can also help loosen the mucus and make nose-blowing or suctioning easier.
  
  
• Sit in the bathroom while a hot shower runs or breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water. The steam may also loosen congestion (be careful to prevent burns from the hot steam).
  
  
• Make sure you or your child are getting extra rest. Your bodies are hard at work battling the virus while you’re sleeping.
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Medication Options

As a friendly reminder, if you’re dealing with mild symptoms, it’s always best to let your child’s body fight this illness on their own. We don’t need to be so quick to cover it up with medications. However, if you’ve exhausted all other options and your kiddo is miserable, there are a few things you can try. As with anything, if you’re unsure, discuss it with your doctor first.

• 0-3 months: Don’t give any medication until it is approved by your pediatrician.
  

• 3-6 months: You may give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort or if a moderate fever develops (>100 ℉ underarm or >102 ℉ rectally).
  

• 6 months and older: You may give (or take) ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort or if a moderate fever develops (>100 ℉ underarm, >101 ℉ under the tongue, >102 ℉ rectally or in the ear).
  

• Nasal decongestants can help both stuffy and runny noses. They may be taken as pills by mouth or as a nasal spray. Some options are Pseudoephedrine (sudafed), Oxymetazoline nasal drops (afrin) or Phenylephrine nasal drops (Neo-Synephrine). These should not be given in our kiddos under 12 years old unless approved by their doctor first.
  

• Cough and cold medicines, such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM), are technically okay to give to children over 6 years old, but they are not recommended. There are no well-controlled studies proving efficacy or safety. If you decide to give some, be sure to give an accurate dose and avoid mixing and matching a bunch of medications. If they are coughing, try a spoonful of honey first!
  

• For adults, expectorants, such as guaifenesin (Mucinex), may help thin and loosen secretions.
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Vitamins & Vapor Rub

• According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), zinc lozenges do have demonstrated benefits for the common cold! Zinc is most effective for colds when taken for 1-2 weeks, as soon as your child starts experiencing cold-like symptoms, in syrup or lozenge form (pick syrup for our younger kids so they don't choke). Find a syrup or lozenge that does not have citric acid. Zinc doesn’t taste good and can cause nausea, so only give zinc with food and keep a yummy drink nearby. For kids under 2 years old: discuss with your doctor first.
  

• Apply a vapor rub on your child’s chest and/or feet to offer some relief for stuffy noses. Avoid applying it directly under their nose - we don’t want them breathing it in so directly. For kids under 2 years old: must be a menthol-free vapor rub.
  

• While vitamin C is frequently used to battle the common cold, there isn’t substantial research to back up its efficacy. That said, vitamin C is still good for us and is harmless in correct doses, so give it a try to see if it works. Choose snacks high in vitamin C over a supplement when you can. Great options are kiwi, strawberries, oranges and pineapple.
  
  

When a runny or stuffy nose lingers too long...

Any time you’re dealing with excess mucus, there’s a potential for bacteria to grow. When this happens, the viral infection you had can become a bacterial infection and these oftentimes need antibiotics or treatment from your doctor.

Other illnesses mimic a cold, which may still resolve on their own but other times can get worse and need treatment. 

These can remain mild infections so I don’t want you to worry! Just be aware that “running its course” doesn’t always work.
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Common infections that can occur after having a cold or may be mistaken for a cold are:

• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Bronchitis or Bronchiolitis
• Pneumonia
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
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It’s time to call your doctor if:

• You or your child are experiencing pain that isn’t feeling better after home remedy tricks or within 1-2 hours of giving medication; pain following cold-like symptoms would generally be severe headaches, nasal pain/fullness, ear pain or chest pain
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• Symptoms aren’t improving after 10 days
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• Your 0-6 month old baby develops a fever (>99 ℉ underarm or >100.4 ℉ rectally)
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• You or your child older than 6 months develop a high fever (>102 ℉ underarm, >103 ℉ under the tongue, >104 ℉ rectally or in the ear)
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It’s time to head to the ER or call 911 if:

• You or your child are having trouble breathing
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Avoid spreading germs to others by ensuring you and your child are washing hands every time you cough, sneeze or blow your nose! Also, warn those around you that someone in your household isn’t feeling well so they can be more diligent with their hand washing as well.