What to do about nasal congestion in children after a cold?

Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
Updated on December 14, 2024
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After a child catches a cold and exhibits symptoms of nasal congestion, antihistamine medication can be taken orally under the guidance of a doctor to relieve nasal congestion. Local use of nasal drops or saline solution, or the use of nasal spray locally can also relieve symptoms of nasal congestion.

When a child has a cold causing nasal congestion, it is mostly because the nasal mucosa becomes congested and swollen after the cold, leading to the symptoms of nasal congestion. Some children may develop symptoms of allergic rhinitis after a cold. In addition to nasal congestion, most children may also experience symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing.

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How to treat a child's cold and cough?

For upper respiratory infections in children causing colds and coughs, the treatment approach should vary based on the child's age, as well as the severity and duration of the illness. For mild cases with less severe symptoms, treatment can be administered at home including frequent hydration, drinking plenty of water, and symptomatic oral administration of expectorants and cough suppressants. If the child's cold and cough symptoms are more severe, with significant coughing and phlegm, and are even affecting the child's sleep, it is typically recommended for parents to take their child to the hospital for blood tests. These tests may include a complete blood count, Mycoplasma testing, or a C-reactive protein test, to identify the specific cause of the cold and cough, and to enable targeted treatment. (Note: The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Which department should a child visit for a cold?

If a child has a cold and is being seen at a general hospital, it is advisable to visit the pediatrics department. However, if the child has a persistent high fever and the condition is urgent, a visit to the pediatric emergency department is recommended. If it's a children's specialty hospital, it would be advisable to visit the pediatric respiratory department, the emergency department, or the fever clinic. Generally, colds are caused by viral infections, though some are caused by bacterial infections. Most fevers can last from three to five days. Therefore, we should not be too hasty and should focus on symptomatic treatment.

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What to do for quick relief of nasal congestion in children with a cold?

A minor cold with nasal congestion is likely caused by a viral infection leading to swelling of the nasal mucosa, and thus, blocking the nasal passages. For quick relief, we can initially take oral medications such as children's acetaminophen-diphenhydramine granules, etc., which can promote the contraction of the nasal mucosa. Additionally, antiviral oral solutions can be taken for antiviral treatment. Locally, a 3% sodium chloride solution can be used for nasal drops to promote the contraction of the nasal mucosa, or physiological seawater nasal drops can also be used for the same purpose. Furthermore, physiological saline can be used to wash the nasal cavity, and then a nasal aspirator can be used to clean the secretions inside the nasal cavity, which also helps to clear the nasal passages.

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What should I do if a child has a cold and an earache?

When a child catches a cold, it indicates that the child has an acute upper respiratory tract infection. About 90% of acute upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viral infections, and approximately 10% are caused by bacterial infections. It is important to actively deal with a child's cold. If a child experiences ear pain during the cold, it is essential to take the child to an otolaryngologist to check their ears, as acute otitis media is the most common complication after a cold. The child may develop acute serous otitis media, and if not promptly treated, it can lead to rupture or perforation of the eardrum. Therefore, it is crucial to rule out otitis media when a child with a cold experiences ear pain. If otitis media is ruled out and the child still has ear pain, it may simply be a symptom of the cold.

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What are the symptoms of viral colds in children?

Symptoms of viral cold in children include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, cough with phlegm, fever, headache, body aches, and sore throat. When having a cold, it is important to rest first, avoid strenuous exercise, and allow the body to focus its resources on the functioning of the immune system. It is also important to drink plenty of water, as all immune mechanisms rely on sufficient water. Drinking more water leads to more urination, which increases the excretion of water-soluble vitamins, so it is necessary to adequately supplement water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin B. Fruits and vegetables are preferred. Additionally, symptomatic medication treatment should be applied.