Nasal hygiene is essential in treating nasal congestion in children with respiratory infections, but in healthy children, daily nasal rinsing, if done incorrectly, can easily cause choking, bleeding, and ear infections.
According to Dr. Tran Thuy Linh, from Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi , they have recently received several cases of children choking and vomiting after nasal rinsing due to saline solution flowing from the nose into the throat. Other cases involved incorrect nasal rinsing techniques causing pain, bleeding, or middle ear infections in children.
The nose and throat naturally produce just enough fluid to lubricate the mucous membranes, preventing the entry of bacteria and dust. Overuse of nasal irrigation can strip children of this natural fluid and protective layer, leading to nasal irritation, burning, and even chronic inflammation.
Dr. Linh advises parents not to overuse nasal rinsing and drops for healthy children as a daily routine. It should only be done when the child has inflammation, congestion, and excessive runny nose. Parents can clean their child's nose after exposure to dusty environments or after traveling, especially for children with a history of allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.
Daily use of saline nasal drops can weaken a child's natural immunity. (Image: Freepik)
For babies under 6 months old, parents should warm the saline solution bottle when it's cold, then put 2-3 drops into each nostril and use a nasal aspirator to remove the mucus.
Self-rinsing the nose should not be used for children under 6 months old because their mouth-breathing reflex is not yet fully developed. Rinsing may stimulate coughing, however, the protective airway reflex is less effective in young children under 6 months. Parents should have their children's noses rinsed at medical facilities.
To properly clean the nose, first, the nasal spray or rinsing device must be sterile, possibly soaked in warm water for a few minutes before rinsing. The rinsing tip should not be too hard to avoid injuring the child. The best cleaning solution is isotonic saline solution (0.9g of salt in 100ml of solution). Using other solutions for cleaning, such as hypertonic saline solution (saline solution mixed with a pure salt/distilled water ratio higher than 0.9%), requires a doctor's prescription.
Nasal cleaning should be done when the child is awake, avoiding cleaning immediately before or after meals. Adults should position the child lying on their back with their head tilted to one side during the procedure to avoid the risk of choking due to reflux or vomiting. To clean the left nostril, turn the child's head to the right and the person cleaning the nose should stand to the child's left; repeat the process for the right nostril.
Next, insert the tip of the device into the child's nostril, squeeze quickly but gently so that the saline solution enters and slowly flows out through the other nostril. Finally, gently wipe the nose and mouth with a soft cloth and reassure the child.
Dr. Linh advises parents not to rinse their children's noses more than three times a day to avoid damaging the nose, and not to mix other medications into the saline solution. Do not share the rinsing equipment with other children.
Thanh Ba
| Readers can post questions about children's illnesses here for doctors to answer. |
Source link
Comment (0)