Yellow snot from a child's nose can make any parent worry. Unfortunately, few people know what causes this phenomenon. There are many opposing opinions on this issue. Some consider this color of discharge to be a variant of the norm, while others consider it a sign of a serious illness. How to figure it out? How to help your baby overcome an illness?
Possible causes of unusual discharge
Yellow snot from a child's nose causes a lot of debate among pediatricians. It will not be possible to determine the exact cause of this phenomenon in absentia, since many factors can cause it, some of which are quite harmless, while others require special monitoring and treatment.
So, what is the basis for the appearance of yellow discharge? In medicine, it is customary to distinguish the following options:
- Completion of a cold. A few days after the baby has a runny nose, the snot transforms, becomes thicker, loses its transparency and acquires a yellowish or cloudy white color. It is likely that recovery will come very soon, and you should not worry about this.
- Active inflammatory processes in the body (including purulent nature, can be dangerous to he alth).
- Chronic forms of serious diseases (eg, otitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, etc.).
- Allergic reactions to external irritants (may occur even due to dust and dry air).
Different colors of nasal discharge
If yellow snot from the nose is not the norm, then let's talk about exactly how they should look. To begin with, it must be emphasized that the snot itself represents a protective reaction of the body, and often does not require any special treatment. However, it is also not worth launching such a phenomenon. So, in addition to yellow discharge, it is customary to distinguish:
- Green snot. This color indicates the presence of bacteria. The more intense the color, the more microorganisms. In this case, in addition to self-treatment, you should definitely consult a doctor.
- Transparent snot. The most common, they differ in a liquid consistency. Most often they pass on their own, but in some cases they can lead to negative consequences (for example, to bronchial asthma). The reason for their appearance can be not only a cold, but also an allergic reaction.
- Discharge with blood. They can be a symptom of a major he alth problem. If your child also has a fever and severe headaches, be sure to see a doctor. Most likely, such snot is a sign of sinusitis.
- White snot. Appear due to weak immunity, colds, hypothermia. Their occurrence can be prevented by regularwet cleaning, walks in the fresh air. So that the snot does not thicken, be sure to do washing.
Methods of treating discharge on your own and with medicines
How to cure snot in a child at home? Parents often ask this question when deciding not to go to the doctor with their beloved child. Of course, you can expect a natural solution to the problem, but still, additional help to the body will not be superfluous. Start your treatment by regularly rinsing your nose. To do this, you can use saline or saline, sea water.
A positive effect can be achieved with a variety of inhalations. Herbs such as calendula, sage, and eucalyptus leaves are often used in steam baths. Very often, essential oils of citrus fruits and conifers are added to decoctions. Such activities allow you to achieve a double effect - get rid of mucus, and also destroy bacteria. One of the best remedies for the treatment of the common cold is a decoction of chamomile. Among folk healing products, grape and nettle juices are especially popular. Such remedies are especially successful in bloody discharges, as they successfully strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
If the baby has a stuffy nose, yellow snot, try turning to pharmaceutical preparations. Currently, experts most often recommend the use of funds such as Derinat, Isofra, Protargol, Vibrocil and others. Before independentusing the medication, be sure to read the instructions and strictly adhere to the rules specified in it.
Thick snot without any additional cold symptoms can be treated with essential oils. But it is better not to use vasoconstrictor drops at this stage, since the benefit from them will be minimal. In some cases, such drugs can even contribute to the development of chronic discharge.
When should I see a doctor?
Which specialist should I go to in case of unusual discharge from the child's nose? Engaged in such issues ENT. The doctor will carefully examine the child, determine the severity of his condition, and, if necessary, prescribe special treatment. Be sure to tell him that the color of the child's snot causes you concern. This may be important.
Alarming symptoms include lingering thick yellow or green snot, frequent headaches, high body temperature, changes in the character and mood of the baby (for example, irritation or apathy).
Prevention of colds
All parents know that preventing an illness is much easier than curing it. Unfortunately, many neglect simple preventive rules. If your child has snot, treatment of such a phenomenon is desirable, but not necessary. It is best to take measures to prevent their initial occurrence. For this, great attention should be paid to hardening the young body, moderate physical activity,outdoor walks. Proper nutrition is of great importance for immunity. Try to keep your baby's diet as varied as possible, including meat, fish, fresh vegetables and vegetable oils.
Carefully choose your baby's wardrobe before a walk, avoid both overheating and hypothermia. Make sure that the child's shoes do not get wet, and that the hands and feet are always warm. If after a walk outside you find that the baby is cold, be sure to provide him with a warm drink and let him splash in the hot tub.
Snot in a baby. How to deal with a dangerous phenomenon
Yellow snot from the nose can also be observed in a newborn baby. In this case, measures to treat the cold and its symptoms must be taken immediately. The narrow ducts of the nose instantly fill with secretions, which leads to swelling and difficulty breathing. In babies in the first year of life, any cold can lead to the development of serious he alth problems. To avoid serious consequences, be sure to invite a pediatrician for an additional consultation. Be sure to tell the specialist about what color of snot is observed in the child at this time. If this is not possible, start washing. To do this, you will need an aspirator and a suitable remedy. It can be used as a home saline solution or a pharmacy analogue (for example, Aquamaris). Wash the ducts should be quite often, at least five to eight times a day. According to required quantityprocedures can be increased, but pay attention to the dosage of the agent you use. By not following this rule, you risk burning the baby's delicate mucous membranes.
After a thorough cleansing of the nasal passages, you can begin treatment procedures. If you prefer pharmacy medicine, then be sure to consult a pediatrician, do not use drugs at your own discretion. As for folk remedies, it is allowed to use beetroot or carrot juice diluted with water in proportions of 1 to 1.
Attention! Allergy
In some cases, not only the ENT should examine the child. An allergist is also often involved in this procedure. It is possible that the cause of yellow snot is an allergic reaction. Pollen from flowers, food, animal hair, fluff and house dust often act as an external irritant. In addition, the discharge may be accompanied by itching or burning. In this case, it is very important to establish a potential allergen and exclude the child's interaction with it. A possible complication of such an allergy is bronchial asthma.
Be he althy!