From the Guidelines
To relieve a blocked nose in children, start with gentle saline nasal sprays or drops, which help thin mucus and reduce congestion, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. For children over 6 months, use 2-3 drops in each nostril several times daily, followed by suctioning with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator for infants and toddlers who cannot blow their nose. Key points to consider when relieving a blocked nose in children include:
- Keeping your child well-hydrated with water or warm fluids like caffeine-free tea with honey (for children over 1 year) to thin mucus.
- Using a cool-mist humidifier in the child's bedroom to add moisture to the air, helping to loosen congestion, especially during sleep.
- For children over 6 years, over-the-counter decongestants like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine may be used for short periods (3-5 days maximum) following package instructions, but avoid these in younger children unless prescribed by a doctor, due to potential side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability, and palpitations 1.
- Elevating your child's head during sleep using an extra pillow (for older children) or by slightly raising the head of the crib mattress can improve breathing. These remedies work by either thinning mucus, reducing inflammation in nasal passages, or using gravity to help drainage, making breathing easier while the underlying cause resolves. It is essential to note that oral decongestants should be used with caution in patients with certain conditions, such as arrhythmias, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hyperthyroidism 1. Additionally, topical decongestants can be considered for short-term and possibly for intermittent or episodic therapy of nasal congestion, but are inappropriate for regular daily use because of the risk for the development of rhinitis medicamentosa 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to: common cold hay fever upper respiratory allergies sinusitis shrinks swollen nasal membrances so you can breathe more freely. Directions: Adults and children 6 to under 12 years of age (with adult supervision): 2 or 3 sprays in each nostrill not more often than every 10 to 12 hours. Purpose: Nasal Decongestant For children over 6 years, oxymetazoline (IN) can be used as a remedy for a blocked nose, with 2 or 3 sprays in each nostril and not more often than every 10 to 12 hours 2, 2. For children under 6 years, it is recommended to ask a doctor before using oxymetazoline (IN) 2. Key points:
- Age restriction: over 6 years (with adult supervision)
- Dosage: 2 or 3 sprays in each nostril
- Frequency: not more often than every 10 to 12 hours
- Children under 6: ask a doctor 2
From the Research
Remedies for Blocked Nose in Children
- Nasal congestion, also known as a blocked nose, is a common symptom of upper respiratory tract infections in children.
- According to 3, oxymetazoline (0.05%) nasal spray can provide relief of nasal symptoms for up to 12 hours in patients with acute coryzal rhinitis.
- Another study 4 found that 0.05% oxymetazoline nasal spray was effective in reducing nasal congestion for up to 12 hours, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging.
- For infants and children, non-pharmacological treatments such as saline irrigation of the nose can help alleviate symptoms of nasal congestion and runny nose 5.
- The use of nasal aspirators with isotonic saline solution has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of developing acute otitis media and rhinosinusitis in children with viral rhinitis 5.
- Isotonic and hypertonic saline solutions are considered safe and valuable therapeutic supports for relieving nasal congestion in infants and children, and can reduce the need for medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotics, and corticosteroids 5.