"Five Traditional Remedies for Treating Childhood Nasal Congestion: Seeking Parental Insights"

Is a Stuffy Nose, Running Nose, and Sneezing Always a Sign of a Cold?

Contrary to popular belief, these symptoms can also arise from children's rhinitis. So, what are some folk remedies that can help alleviate rhinitis in daily life? Let's explore together!

Folk Remedy 1: Cold Water Therapy

Instead of using hot water to wash your face, opt for cold water. Hold your palms under the running tap and cover your nose with the cold water. Inhale the cold water through your nostrils, then exhale. Repeat this process several times daily.

Folk Remedy 2: Saline Nasal Wash

Prepare a saline solution (mix two teaspoons of salt in 100ml of boiled water). Dip a cotton ball attached to a toothpick into the saline solution and cleanse your nostrils. Leave the cotton ball in your nostril briefly, tilt your head back or lie down, and press the sides of your nose with your index finger and thumb to allow the saline to flow deeper into your nasal cavity and eventually reach your throat. Initially, it may feel irritating, but with time and using milder saline solutions, your nose will adapt.

Folk Remedy 3: Acacia Honey Treatment

When washing your face in the morning and evening, use your little finger to cleanse your nostrils with running tap water. After removing any mucus or debris, apply acacia honey evenly on the affected areas inside your nose using a cotton swab or your finger.

Folk Remedy 4: Garlic Treatment

Crush garlic, wrap it in a clean cloth, and extract the juice. Drip two drops of garlic juice into each nostril (warning: this can be very stimulating). Press your nostrils closed with your fingers to ensure the garlic juice stays in contact. Repeat once or twice, depending on tolerance (start with smaller amounts if you're sensitive to garlic or allergic).

Folk Remedy 5: Eye Socket Massage

Locate the shallow indentation along the edge of your eye socket with your index fingers. Massage this area vigorously for one to two hundred times. Do this at least twice a day for sustained effectiveness.

It's important to note that these folk remedies may not work for everyone, and it's crucial to identify the underlying cause of rhinitis to address it effectively.

Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis in Children

The primary symptoms of chronic rhinitis in children are nasal congestion and reduced sense of smell. These symptoms tend to ease during the day but worsen at night. When lying on one side, the lower nostril becomes blocked while the upper one remains clear. The mucus is usually thick and sticky, accompanied by headaches, dizziness, and loss of smell. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, a more severe form, may cause persistent nasal congestion, thick or purulent mucus, earaches, hearing loss, headaches, insomnia, and lethargy.

Symptoms of Acute Rhinitis in Children

Initial symptoms include mild chills, fever, general discomfort, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, dry and itchy nostrils, and sneezing. Within one to two days, nasal congestion sets in, accompanied by a clear runny nose and reduced sense of smell, sometimes leading to headaches. After three to five days, the mucus may become thick and purulent, and congestion worsens. Without complications, recovery typically takes about a week.

Children's noses are more susceptible to environmental stimuli, making them prone to rhinitis, often allergic in nature. Symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing triggered by cold air, runny nose, reduced memory, and poor sense of smell. Many children may also experience itchy noses, eyes, and tearing, leading to constant rubbing of these areas, known as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Understanding Allergic Rhinitis in Children

Allergic rhinitis in children is an immune response to allergens such as dust mites, mold, cold air, pollen, certain foods (e.g., eggs, fish, and shellfish), and bacterial infections (e.g., bacterial toxins). This reaction leads to chronic nasal mucosa congestion, a common manifestation of allergies.