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WHY IS MY CHILD’S NOSE ALWAYS STUFFY? WHAT
SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK FOR? WHAT
ARE THE CAUSES OF NASAL BLOCKAGE? SUGGESTIONS
FOR ALLERGY AVOIDANCE Why is my child’s nose always stuffy? Nasal obstruction is a very
common complaint in children. It usually resolves without treatment. Most
of the time, the obstruction is only a minor inconvenience to the child
and parents. However, severe nasal obstruction may become very
uncomfortable for your child and may lead to significant problems such as
abnormal development of the facial bones and possible heart and lung
problems. The symptoms of nasal obstruction may arise from inflammation of
the lining of the nose (rhinitis) as well as many other causes. WHAT
SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK FOR? -Nasal
quality to the voice or speech -Snoring
of mouth-breathing -Restless
sleep or abnormal sleep positions -Night
time pauses in breathing -Always
seems to have a cold -Nasal
rubbing or sneezing -Noisy
eating; always has mouth open -Fatigues
easily with exercise -Slow
weight gain
WHAT
ARE THE CAUSES OF NASAL BLOCKAGE? Some of the more common causes
of chronic nasal obstruction include: 1.
Large adenoids: exposure to recurrent upper respiratory infections,
or colds, during infancy may lead to adenoid enlargement with nasal
obstruction. Surgery may be needed to remove enlarged adenoid tissue. 2.
Nasal allergies: often called allergic rhinitis. Classic symptoms
include sneezing, rubbing of the nose and eyes, clear drainage from the
nose, and worsening of the symptoms with changes in the season.
Antihistamines and nasal steroids are the first line of treatment.
Allergy evaluations are usually deferred until your child has failed
initial treatment and has reached the age of 4 or 5 years. Allergy testing
can be done at any age; however, before age 4 years, the test may not be
reliable and may need to be repeated. 3. Non-allergic
rhinitis: Essentially the same as allergic rhinitis
except there will be no reaction to skin testing. Typically there is less
sneezing and nasal itching. Treatment includes steroid nasal sprays. 4. Vasomotor
rhinitis: occurs when the child reacts to environmental
situations or substances. Examples would be perfumes, chemical odors,
cigarette smoke, nasal spray abuse (Afrin), or exposure to temperature
changes. 5.
Chronic sinusitis: Sinusitis can occur early in childhood. The
usual associated symptoms include nasal drainage, cough, postnasal drip,
headache, and behavioral changes. If your child has had frequent episodes
of sinusitis, the disease may progress to chronic sinusitis. At this
point, a 4-6 week course of antibiotics combined with local nasal steroids
and salt water nose rinses are usually prescribed. If the symptoms do not
resolve, permanently damaged swollen tissue or abnormal development of the
sinuses may be the underlying cause. A CAT scan of the sinuses may be
ordered and surgical intervention may be necessary. 6.
Nasal polyps: These nasal masses in children are rare. If they are
present, your doctor will look for an underlying medical condition called
cystic fibrosis. Local nasal steroids may be used in mild cases, but
surgical intervention in often required. 7. Deviated nasal septum: The nasal septum is the midline structure,
which divides the nose into two equal sides. It is made of both cartilage
and bone. Injuries to the nose can result in the septum being pushed off
into one direction, thereby narrowing the nasal passageway. Nasal injuries
may occur from abnormal positioning while the infant is in the uterus as
well as from the trauma of delivery through the birth canal.
Re-positioning of this deformity may range from manipulating the outer
nose directly shortly after birth or later as a surgical procedure called
a septoplasty. 8. Birth defects and tumors are most often identified during infancy
and early childhood. The most common problem is called choanal atresia.
This occurs when the back of the nose does not open to connect to the
throat. This problem can occur on one or both sides of the nose. If only
one side is blocked or narrowed, this may not be identified until your
child is older. Surgical correction is optional but is often desired to
prevent constant drainage from the affected side and to improve breathing. SUGGESTIONS
FOR ALLERGY AVOIDANCE 1.
Avoid
or remove heavy drapery and shag carpeting (traps and holds dust). 2. Obtain an electrostatic air filter; at the very least, change furnace and AC filters monthly. 3. For severe cases, consider purchase of a special vacuum cleaner with extra filtration (HEPA filtration) to avoid recirculation of dust. 4.
Regular
pest control treatments; plan to be away after spraying. 5. Regular ventilation of the basement to avoid molds and mildew. The information provided on
this web site is not intended to take the place of consultation with your
physician. You should always consult a physician whenever you require
diagnosis or treatment. |
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Copyright © 2008 Atlanta Children's ENT. | |
