First of all, inhalations are small in size, and it is because of this property that medications, when mixed with water and air, can penetrate directly into the bronchi. In other words, therefore, the main purpose of this medical device is the prevention and treatment of inflammation and diseases of the respiratory tract. In addition to these diseases, inhalations can also be effective for a runny nose. However, it is very important to choose the right medicine for the inhaler and follow all recommendations when preparing medications.
Inhalations for a runny nose
Inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open the nasal passages and relieve the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection.
Also called steam therapy, it involves inhaling water vapor. Warm, moist air is thought to work by loosening mucus in the nasal passages, throat and lungs. This may relieve symptoms of inflamed, swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages.
While inhaling a runny nose won't cure an infection such as a cold or flu, it can help you feel much better while your body fights it. But as with any home remedy, it's important to learn the best practices so you don't hurt yourself in the process.
Methods for treating a runny nose
Inhalations
When it is necessary to treat a runny nose quickly, many of us remember a funny episode from childhood: how, hiding in a cocoon of blankets, we sat and breathed over a pan of boiled potatoes or an aromatic decoction of herbs. Inhalations actually make it possible to alleviate the patient’s condition and speed up recovery, if we are not talking about allergies.
For the procedure, you will need a special inhaler, but if you don’t have one, a regular saucepan will do. Instead of potatoes, it is better to choose dried herbs or aromatic oils. Helps against runny nose:
- calendula;
- chamomile;
- eucalyptus;
- fir;
- mint;
- camphor.
Inhalations are the answer to quickly cure a runny nose and throat. They help moisturize the nasal mucosa, which has a beneficial effect on well-being. However, this option is not suitable as the only treatment option. Inhalations should not be given if the patient has a fever.
Warming up
Warming up is carried out using a special “blue lamp”, which focuses the light, or using the “grandmother’s method” using salt or a boiled egg heated in a frying pan. Heated salt or a boiled egg is placed in a canvas bag (you can take a clean sock or handkerchief) and applied to the sinuses. The procedure helps well with the initial signs of the disease, but is useless for allergies. If a runny nose is also accompanied by an elevated temperature, then warming up is not recommended.
Washing
Another way to quickly stop a runny nose is to rinse. It is known that infectious agents reach us by airborne droplets, that is, by inhalation, so you can remove them from there simply by rinsing your nose properly. The same method can be used for prevention.
Typically, rinsing is carried out not with plain water, but with the following means:
- saline;
- salt solution;
- mineral still water;
- decoction of calendula or chamomile.
Saline solution and ready-made salt solution are purchased at the pharmacy, or you can prepare it at home by dissolving one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Then you will need a rubber bulb. You need to tilt your head to the side, insert the nose of the “pear” into the upper nostril and pour the liquid inside. Then blow your nose thoroughly and carry out the procedure with the other nostril.
Does a nebulizer help with a runny nose?
A runny nose is caused by inflammation in the blood vessels of the sinuses. Blood vessels may become irritated due to an acute upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or sinus infection.
The main benefit of inhaled solutions for a runny nose is that they can relieve irritation and swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. A nebulizer for a runny nose can also help loosen mucus in your sinuses, allowing them to empty more easily. This may allow your breathing to normalize, at least for a short period of time.
Inhalation methods for infants
A cold most often begins with a runny nose. In order not to lead the situation to complications, you need to start treatment at this stage. The simplest solutions for inhalation can be prepared at home and used at the first signs of a cold, when the disease can still be prevented.
- Sea water. To prepare it, you need sea salt. It is dissolved in boiled water in a ratio of 1 gram of salt per ½ cup of boiled water.
- Mineral water. Inhalations with mineral water ease the condition of the upper respiratory tract and relieve sore throat. They are absolutely harmless, you can carry out the procedure up to 3 times a day for 5 minutes. But there are some subtleties. You need to take real mineral water, which is sold in a pharmacy, for example, “Borjomi” or “Essentuki”. Before use, the water should be allowed to settle so that excess gas bubbles come out.
- Soda solution: 10 grams of soda are diluted in 500 mg of water. Soda inhalations are good for coughing in infants.
How to use a nebulizer for a runny nose
You can purchase an electric steam inhaler (also called a vaporizer) online or at a pharmacy. To do this, you simply need to add water to the specified level and connect the system. Inhalations with a nebulizer for a runny nose
use electricity to produce steam, which is cooled before leaving the machine. Some vaporizers come with a built-in mask that fits over your mouth and nose.
Steam vaporizers can quickly become dirty with germs, so you'll need to clean them frequently to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. During use, also clean the bucket and filtration system every few days.
Nebulizer solution for a runny nose
Does a nebulizer help with a runny nose? If you use the following inhalation solutions for a runny nose, the result will be visible on your face:
- Immunostimulants. The most popular is interferon. For the daily norm, 2 sessions are required. This must be done within 5-15 minutes.
- Tinctures. These tinctures include tonsilgon. It is mixed with saline in a ratio of 1 to 1 or 3 for adults and adolescents. Antiseptics. For use, you can choose undiluted furatsilin. For a single session, 4 ml of solution is suitable.
Inhalation with a nebulizer for a runny nose with saline solution
Sterile saline solution is also suitable for nasal inhalation nebulizer. Inhalation with a nebulizer for a runny nose with saline has a positive effect on the nasal mucosa due to the use of Borjomi.
Nebulizer drug recipes
To cure acute or chronic rhinitis, it is necessary to use a drug that will act pathogenetically. It should be prescribed by an otolaryngologist or therapist. A preliminary examination is recommended to identify the nature of the pathology. A properly selected drug will act faster.
Rules of application
The main medicines and methods of their use are presented:
- Interferon
. The drug enhances the effect of immunity in case of rhinitis of an infectious nature. The immune system will fight viruses on its own. To do this, you need to dilute 1 ampoule of the drug in 3 ml of saline solution. The liquid is transferred into the nebulizer container. Recommended use 2 times a day. - Tonsilgon
. The drug is available for children in the form of inhalation from 7 years of age. It is required to dilute the drug and saline solution in a 1:1 ratio. If the product is used for very young children, 1 part of the drug and 2 parts of saline are recommended. The prepared liquid is consumed 2 times a day. - Furacilin
. This is an antiseptic that destroys bacterial microorganisms. It can be used for complicated ARVI. The prepared solution is used in its pure form, applied 2 times a day. - Chlorophyllipt
. An antiseptic, antibacterial agent that is often used for tonsillitis. When diluting the solution, a ratio of 1:10 is used. In total, you need to inhale 3 ml of the prepared liquid 3 times a day. - Tincture of calendula
. The plant extract has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Since an alcohol tincture is used, it must be diluted in a ratio of 1:40. The technique is applicable for sinusitis, frontal sinusitis. It is recommended to inhale the solution 3 times a day. - Propolis tincture
. Alcohol tincture of propolis and saline solution are used in a ratio of 1:20. But if the patient has multiple allergies to different types of plants, honey, he has a contraindication to the technique. If there is no hypersensitivity, inhalation of vapors is carried out once a day. - Miramistin
. To eliminate a bacterial infection, it is necessary to dilute the prepared solution of furatsilin and saline solution in a 1:1 ratio. A maximum of 7-10 procedures are available. Then the bacteria can acquire resistance. - Naphthyzin
. The drug is used to eliminate severe inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane. It is recommended to dilute Naphthyzin and saline solution in a ratio of 1:10. The technique is used for no more than 10 days, otherwise addiction will occur. - Herbal extracts
. They use string, chamomile and other plants that have anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, and calming effects. You need to first brew a strong solution, which can be consumed up to 3 times a day.
To understand how much to use the solution, a preliminary consultation with your doctor is required. It determines the duration of treatment depending on the clinical picture and the degree of development of tissue damage.
Previously, it was necessary to independently prepare various solutions. Today, all of them are already sold in pharmacies in ready-made form. It is not necessary to distribute the active component in saline so as not to cause side effects. It is enough just to pour the prepared solution into the nebulizer container. Despite this, it is prohibited to select the drug yourself. This can cause undesirable consequences, worsening the symptoms of the disease.
Inhalations for a runny nose in children: nebulizer
Nasal inhalation of a vapor of inhaled medication for a runny nose has been suggested as a treatment for a runny nose in children. The reason was that infants and young children are most susceptible to acute respiratory infections. Preparations for inhalation for a runny nose facilitate the treatment process for ARVI.
Inhalation for a baby with a runny nose
Inhalations for runny noses in children with a nebulizer are used in the following cases:
- nasal passages are inflamed;
- the child has difficulty breathing;
- acute tonsillitis.
Inhalations for infants with a runny nose and nebulizer medications cannot always be used in such cases as:
- if your child has frequent nosebleeds;
- hypertensive diseases;
- failure of the respiratory system;
- heart problems;
- temperature above 37.5°C.
Despite the fact that inhalations can be safe in many cases, it is necessary to understand that in no case should you resort to treating a runny nose with folk remedies. To avoid serious consequences, we recommend contacting the Allergomed clinic, where you can get advice and treatment from qualified specialists!
How else can inhalations be administered to infants?
If you don't have an inhaler at home, you can use steam inhalation. Of course, you won’t be able to breathe over the saucepan. The only method of steam inhalation acceptable for children is the following. A bath of hot water is being filled. A mother with a baby in her arms enters the bathroom and breathes warm steam together for 3-10 minutes. Useful for both. You can use a drop of eucalyptus essential oil. This inhalation, like any other procedure associated with warming, cannot be done if the child has a temperature above 37.5°C.
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Any types of medicinal inhalations are carried out only as prescribed by a doctor. Even the most harmless drug can cause allergies in a baby. Therefore, it is better not to self-medicate.
And one more important point. If the baby screams, is capricious, or behaves restlessly, this useful procedure will be of no use. It is better to postpone it until the baby calms down or falls asleep.
