What should I do if a child has a stuffy nose at night due to a cold?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on January 14, 2025
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When a child catches a cold due to the invasion of pathogens, it can cause symptoms such as fever, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Some children may experience severe nasal congestion, especially at night during sleep, which can lead to snoring and mouth breathing. At this time, we recommend using a warm towel to apply heat to the root of the child's nose, which can improve the child's nasal airway ventilation. Adjusting the child's sleeping position to lie on one side instead of on the back can also help relieve nasal congestion. Of course, if the child indeed has a cold, giving appropriate cold medicine during the day can provide symptomatic relief, which makes it easier to alleviate nasal congestion.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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What to do if a child has a cold with nausea and vomiting?

Childhood colds refer to a general term for upper respiratory infections in children, including wind-cold colds, wind-heat colds, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, and more. They are caused by infections from various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, etc., and symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. When children experience a cold accompanied by nausea and vomiting symptoms, it is referred to as a gastroenteric type of cold, and treatments can include antiemetics and adjustments to gastrointestinal function. However, it is also important to consider whether there are surgical conditions. If the child exhibits abdominal distension, poor mental state, or frequent vomiting, it is advisable to go to the hospital for examinations such as X-rays to rule out symptoms like intestinal obstruction.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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Symptoms and treatment of wind-heat cold in children

The symptoms of wind-heat cold in children mainly include coughing, coughing up purulent sputum, yellow sputum, or having a runny nose with yellow discharge. The child's tongue coating tends to be yellow and thick. This condition is considered a wind-heat cold. It is suggested to give the child some heat-clearing and detoxifying patent Chinese medicines for treatment. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding overly greasy and spicy foods. The child's diet should include more fresh vegetables and fruits. In terms of treatment, the child should drink plenty of warm water and take some heat-clearing and detoxifying patent Chinese medicines. If the condition persists for more than three days, it is recommended to perform a routine blood test. If the white blood cell count is high, it is necessary to administer antibiotics to the child.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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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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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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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How should a child's cough be treated after a cold?

After catching a cold followed by coughing, this is often due to viral or bacterial infections leading to pharyngitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia that cause coughing. Under this circumstance, the initial treatment is anti-infection. If it is considered a bacterial infection, then sensitive antibiotics should be added either orally or intravenously; if a viral infection is considered, then the primary treatment is symptomatic. For instance, taking some expectorant and cough suppressant medications, including Western or proprietary Chinese medicines. Concurrently, nebulizer inhalation can be administered to achieve expectoration, spasm relief, and cough suppression. Additionally, intravenous cough suppressants, enhancing back patting, and drinking more warm water can help dilute sputum and promote its expulsion among other treatments.