Description

• Nasal congestion is a blockage of the nasal passageway. The blockage happens when nasal tissues and blood vessels become swollen with excess fluid.
  
  

Facts

• Nasal congestion is a symptom, not a condition, so on its own it is usually not serious. However, the condition causing the nasal congestion could be more serious. Also, infants breathe solely through their noses, so without treatment to remove the nasal mucus, they could have difficulty eating and sleeping.
  
  

Causes

• Colds, allergies, exposure to irritants and the flu are common causes of nasal congestion. Common irritants include cigarette smoke, hair spray, perfume and house dust. Overuse of some nasal sprays or drops can also lead to nasal congestion.
  
  

Treatments

• General in-home treatments work well to relieve nasal congestion. First, eliminate irritants that may trigger congestion and prevent it from continuing in the future. Second, use a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to add moisture to the room, especially when the infant sleeps. Third, squeeze saline nose drops in each nostril to loosen the dry secretions and then insert a nasal aspirator to remove nasal mucus. Be careful not to suction too vigorously, as that will cause further irritation and produce more mucus. Fourth, place the infant in an elevated position to promote natural draining of secretions. Raise the side of the crib mattress slightly where the infant's head rests, or allow the child to sit or rest in a carrier or bouncer chair.
  
  

Precautions

• The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines aren't effective in children younger than six years old and can even have dangerous side effects. Check with your child's doctor for their recommendations. Also, don't use nasal drops and sprays for more than three days because extended use can make congestion worse.
  
  

Medical Attention

• Contact your child's doctor if mucus turns bright yellow or dark green in color, as this can be a sign of a secondary infection, if there is a fever of 102 degrees or greater, or if your infant has difficulty eating or breathing after the removal of mucus with a nasal aspirator.