Patient's question:
The child was born only a few days ago. Recently, for some reason, they keep scratching their ears. Can a 5-month-old baby with a stuffy nose use saline drops?Doctor's answer:
Hello, if you have a stuffy nose, it might be a sign of rhinitis. I recommend going to the hospital for a check-up. Rhinitis is characterized by congestion or edema, and patients often experience symptoms such as nasal blockage, clear nasal discharge, nasal itching, throat discomfort, and coughing.The thin, liquid-like substance secreted in the nasal cavity is called nasal mucus or nasal discharge. Its function is to help remove dust and bacteria, thereby maintaining lung health. Under normal circumstances, nasal mucus mixed with bacteria and dust is swallowed down to the throat and eventually enters the stomach. Since the amount secreted is usually small, it generally does not attract much attention.
When inflammation occurs in the nose, the nasal cavity can secrete a large amount of mucus, which may turn yellow due to infection. As it flows down the throat, it can cause coughing. When the amount of mucus is very high, it may even flow out through the front nostrils.
Avoid consuming spicy, fried, or stir-fried foods, which are considered heat-inducing. Examples include chili peppers, ginger, fried dough sticks, baked buns, biscuits, and instant noodles. At the same time, seafood and frozen products like fish, squid, and shrimp are prone to triggering inflammation and are best avoided.