My daughter has allergic rhinitis (tested allergy to dust mite at level 3 out of 4+, just like her dad). So every time she is unwell, her nose gets effected the most.
It would usually become runny and/or blocked and each episode will last about one to two weeks.
The doctor told us that kids with allergic rhinitis are prone to prolong and more severe symptoms than those who aren’t affected by this allergy.
Her usual symptoms include:
- Blocked nose with the ‘wee’ sound when sleeping. In fact, for the first few days she will not be able to sleep at night.
- Sneezing (mostly in the morning), 3-4 times in a row when the allergies strike and rubbing of eyes all the time.
- Coughing in the middle of the night as she would be unable to breath and the phlegm would trickle down to her throat.
- She’d also have a runny nose with thick mucus that won’t easily come out. She would usually breathe it in so deep that it won’t come out and irritate her nose.
So we went to see specialist to get her tested and to understand how to get rid of mucus in her nose. She gave us a nasal spray (Nasonex) that has a mild steroid. But it thins her nose wall when we use it long-term.
Hence why, we decided to wash her nose!
How To Get Rid Of Mucus In Nose: A Unique Solution
Image courtesy: Supee-orn Praphanchit
Does it work for us?
Well, the first time was scary and second wasn’t any better. It started when she was about 8-months-old (when she was unwell for the first time with Respiratory syncytial virus).
Her mucus was very thick and normal suction didn’t work on her.
At first she struggled and screamed. But the screaming stopped when I started to squeeze in the saline, (and it all came out like an automatic door that opens and shuts when you walk in or out).
Her dad needed to hold her with one arm from behind and locked her head with another. Then I would hold her chin while pushing in the saline.
But with some practise and determination, we eventually succeeded.
Image courtesy: Supee-orn Praphanchit
We managed to get her cooperation when she was about 1.5-years-old and she understood the reason and the result of washing her nose.
Now she is 4.5-years-old and it is quite easy. Every time I ask her to wash her nose, she will just walk to the toilet without any reluctance.
Washing the nose will really help to clear it and push out mucus, especially when the mucus is so thick that normal suction doesn’t work. And it is good to do so before bedtime to clear the nose before sleeping.
Sometimes kids can’t blow their noses properly by themselves. So this can help them breath comfortably.
This Is An ‘Expert Approved’ Method Of Clearing The Nose
We have consulted with a doctor and there is no harm in doing so since it is saline and there are no other chemicals in it.
The frequency can be as often as we want when the kid has mucus and has difficulty in breathing. We also asked if it is dangerous if the kid swallows some of the saline.
The answer is ‘No!’ If we prepare the saline in the hygienic way there is no problem. At the end of the day this is just salt water.
Watch How To Get Rid Of Mucus In Nose
What you will need:
1. Saline (liquid or sachet)
2. Clean cup
3. Syringe (I use 5 ml which is a good size for young kids)
4. Nasal plug
How to start:
- First, prepare the saline if you use a sachet.
- Then mix with water as per the instruction. Alternatively, you can can get liquid saline (Sodium Chloride for irrigation) at any pharmacy. Tip: you can warm up the saline in the microwave for few seconds to help soothe the nose. Remember to test it on the back of your hand first. It should be slightly warmer than room temperature.
- Place the nasal plug at the tip of syringe. Tip: try to get everything as close to you as possible so it is easy to access and keep the momentum going.
- Prepare your kid (to prevent them from struggling, you can use towel to wrap around the arms and body first). For a smaller kid, may need another person to help hold them down. For an older child, you can ask the them to stand still while you stand behind them.
- Position the kid facing a bit downward. Hold the head tightly before pushing the saline into one nostril. The saline will come out from the other. Tip: let your kid tilt the head down a little bit and open the mouth while you squeeze in the saline.
- Wash the nose so the mucus is out or until the nose is cleared. Then change to the other side. Tip: when squeezing the saline, do it fast and don’t hesitate. The right pressure will help to push out the mucus easily. And take few seconds break in between each wash to let your kid breathe.
In the video, I bought a nasal plug from Thailand. If you want to try this method, you can check it out at Golden mile. Otherwise, the over-the-counter kits are also fine.
Remember, you just need to practise to control the volume when you squeeze out the saline.
As mentioned I use 5 ml syringe for my daughter as I think the amount of saline per usage is just right. As for the saline, those saline for irrigation or sachets are good to use.
Hope this method helps all the other mamas and their little ones, just as it helped me and my daughter.
This article was written by VIP Parent Supee-orn Praphanchit for theAsianparent.
