Patient's question:
Hello expert:My child is 3 months old. Recently, when he wakes up from sleep, his nose is stuffy, like a cold, but it gets better after a while. What should I do? What is the reason? Thank you
Doctor's answer:
Hello:Newborns have immature nasal development, making their noses relatively short and small. The nasal mucosa is rich in blood vessels. Exposure to sudden temperature changes or pathogens can cause inflammation, leading to congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa, a significant increase in nasal secretions, and symptoms such as stuffy nose and runny nose. At this time, due to the child's discomfort, they may cry, become restless, and in severe cases, may breathe through their mouth, affecting feeding.
In such situations, parents should not panic. The nasal discharge can be gently wiped with a soft handkerchief. If wiped too frequently, the skin may become red, and in severe cases, it may even be scratched. A warm, damp towel can be used to cover the nose lightly, and a small amount of oil can be applied to protect the skin. When the baby has a stuffy nose, it is best to lie on their side to prevent nasal discharge from flowing into the ear canal, which could cause otitis media. Do not use nasal drops on newborns when they have a stuffy nose, as many nasal drops contain ephedrine, which has vasoconstrictive effects and is not suitable for newborns. If there is nasal crust in the nostrils, a cotton swab dipped in a little water can be used to gently remove the crust from the nasal cavity. The movement should be light, and care should be taken not to damage the baby's nasal mucosa to avoid nosebleeds.
The stuffy nose and runny nose in babies are usually caused by colds. In addition to addressing the nasal issues as described above, it is best to take the child to the hospital for a detailed examination and medication for the cold.