Acute rhinitis (runny nose) in children

Acute rhinitis

is a catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane, manifested by tissue swelling (most pronounced in the area of the nasal concha) and the production of a huge amount of mucus. The lesion spreads to both halves of the nose.

Rhinitis (runny nose) is one of the most common diseases in children and adults, as it is an appropriate reaction of the body to various stimuli: viral or bacterial infections, adverse environmental factors, occupational hazards and other external allergens (exoallergens).

The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity has its own flora, that is, a certain number of microorganisms (staphylococci, streptococci, etc.) that constantly live on the mucous membrane, without causing it harm. But in the case of a decrease in the general resistance of the body, the ingress of viruses and bacteria, the influence of other irritating factors, first "peaceful microorganisms" begin to multiply actively and, thereby, cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

The causes of acute rhinitis are viral or bacterial infections (influenza, SARS, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, gonorrhea) that affect the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

Symptoms of acute rhinitis depend on the stage of the disease:

the first stage lasts from several hours to 1-2 days and is manifested by a feeling of itching and dryness in the nasal cavity, sneezing, often lacrimation, headache, general malaise, increased temperature, decreased sense of smell. The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity is dry, hyperemic;
in the second stage, watery discharge from the nose appears, complications of nasal breathing, hoarseness, mucous membrane are wet, swollen, serous-mucous discharge is noted in the nasal passages;
in the third stage, nasal breathing improves, discharge from the nose acquires a muco-purulent character, their quantity gradually decreases, the mucous membrane becomes less swollen, pale, muco-purulent discharge is determined in the nasal passages. Recovery occurs on average after 7-10 days.

Rhinitis is recognized on the basis of the listed symptoms, but in each case it is necessary to differentiate them from specific rhinitis, which are symptoms of an infectious disease - flu, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever, as well as gonorrhea, syphilis, etc. Each of the infectious diseases has its own clinical picture. An objective examination of the ENT organs (rhinoscopy - examination of the nasal cavity) specifies the form of rhinitis. If the development of complications of rhinitis is suspected, an x-ray examination of the paranasal sinuses is prescribed.

Catarrhal rhinitis is a disease characterized by constant catarrhal (NOT purulent) inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. Factors in the development of this disease include a high number of mucous membrane bacteria, frequent respiratory viral infections, a decrease in the immune system, and high pollution of inhaled air with various types of dust and combustion products.

Allergic rhinitis is a disease associated with exposure of an allergen (a substance that causes an allergic reaction) to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. Allergic rhinitis can appear seasonally (which is associated with the flowering of certain types of plants) or year-round. Allergic rhinitis is often combined with bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria and other allergic diseases. Allergic rhinitis often results in the development of polyps and hypertrophy of the lower nasal concha.

Vasomotor rhinitis is a functional condition associated with dysregulation of blood vessels under the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. Vasomotor rhinitis often develops in people with neurocirculatory dystonia, in hypotensives, in patients with astheno-vegetative syndrome, in some endocrine diseases, more often in young or pre-menopausal age.

Medicinal rhinitis, as the name implies, develops against the background of taking medicines. These are drugs that lower blood pressure, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, alcohol. A special place is occupied by vasoconstrictor drops in the nose, as they most often cause medicinal rhinitis. It is not recommended to use vasoconstrictor drops in the nose for a long time for the elderly and those suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, because these drugs can cause an increase in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate (tachycardia).

The causes of atrophic rhinitis are often a lack of vitamins, iron deficiency states, occupational hazards (work in hot, dry rooms, various types of dust), genetic factors (in such cases, atrophic rhinitis is combined with atrophic pharyngitis and atrophic gastritis, which is more common in women), as well as after excessively radical surgical interventions on the structures of the nose.

The problem with the appearance of rhinitis in children aged 1 to 10 years is particularly acute, since at this age the immune system is actively forming and resistance to viruses and bacteria is very low.

Mostly, acute rhinitis in children accompanies ARZ and ARVI, that is, it is infectious or viral. It, like a cough or fever, should also be treated.

A runny nose in babies requires special attention, because their mucous membrane swells faster than in older children and adults, the nasal cavity is much narrower (therefore, air access is blocked more quickly and easily), and the immunity is still very weak. In addition, young children do not know how to cough, which makes it difficult to get rid of mucus, and they do not know how to breathe through their mouths. Therefore, rhinitis is more severe in infants compared to adults. It prevents them from breathing, sleeping, eating. An innocent runny nose can very quickly develop into serious diseases, for example, otitis, bronchitis and others.

If the child is still young and not yet 2.5 months old, then snoring does not necessarily indicate the child's illness. This may be a manifestation of a physiological runny nose associated with the formation of the nasal mucosa.