Rhinitis in babies: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Rhinitis in babies occurs due to contact with allergenic factors, such as dust, animal hair or smoke, which leads to the appearance of symptoms such as a blocked nose and runny nose, in addition to causing itching and irritation. Therefore, it is very common for the baby to always touch his nose and be more irritated than normal.

It is important that the pediatrician is consulted so that the symptoms can be evaluated, rhinitis can be confirmed and the factor responsible for the symptoms can be identified.

In most cases, no specific type of treatment is necessary, it is only recommended to maintain adequate hydration and avoid exposure to more polluted environments.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of rhinitis in babies are;

• Intense runny nose;
• Stuffy nose;
• Frequent sneezing;
• Rubbing your hands over your nose, eyes or ears;
• Eye watering;
• Minor bleeding from the nose, due to the dryness of the mucous membrane or the fact that you are always rubbing your hands over your nose;
• Constant cough;
• Roncar during or are.

Due to the discomfort caused by rhinitis, it is common for the baby to be more irritable, not wanting to play and crying frequently. It is also possible that the baby has less desire to eat and wakes up several times during the night.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The best way to confirm your baby’s rhinitis is to consult a pediatrician so that the symptoms can be assessed and allergy tests can be recommended to confirm allergic rhinitis and identify the agent responsible for the symptoms more specifically.

In some cases, tests may also be indicated to rule out virus infection in the upper airways, which cause signs and symptoms very similar to allergic rhinitis.

Causes of rhinitis in babies

Allergic rhinitis in babies can be triggered by several factors, the main ones being:

• Mites;
• Dust;
• Hair from animals, such as cats, dogs and rodents, such as hamsters and guinea pigs;
• Cleaning products;
• Cigarette smoke;
• Pollution;
• Very strong smells.

It is important that the cause of rhinitis in babies is identified so that it can be avoided and, thus, new attacks can be prevented.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for allergic rhinitis in babies can be time-consuming, as it is necessary to find out what is causing the disease, but to alleviate symptoms, parents can:

• Offer water several times a daybut only if he is no longer breastfeeding exclusively, to fluidize the secretions, facilitate their removal and prevent their accumulation in the airways;
• Avoid exposing the baby to possible allergic substancessuch as animal hair, pollen, smoke;
• Dress the baby only in clean clothesas clothes that have already been used, especially when going out on the street, may contain various types of substances;
• Avoid drying baby’s clothes outside the house, as it can trap allergic substances;
• Cleaning the baby’s nose with saline solution. See how to clean your baby’s nose correctly.

However, if the symptoms continue to be very intense, the pediatrician may advise the use of antihistamine medications, such as Diphenhydramine or Hydroxyzine, which should only be used with medical advice. Additionally, some nasal sprays with anti-inflammatory substances or corticosteroids may also be recommended in some cases.

How to prevent rhinitis from recurring

To prevent rhinitis from recurring, there are some precautions you can take at home, such as:

• Avoid using rugs or curtains;
• Clean the furniture and floor daily with warm water and a clean damp cloth;
• Avoid unnecessary furniture;
• Store books and magazines inside cabinets to avoid dust accumulation, as well as stuffed animals;
• Do not smoke inside the house or in the car;
• Change all bed linen daily;
• Keep the house well ventilated;
• Do not have animals inside the house;
• Avoid walks in parks and gardens in autumn and spring.

This type of care can also help prevent and calm symptoms of other respiratory problems, such as asthma or sinusitis, for example.