Acute rhinitis: treatment in children and adults
The content of the article:
- The reasons for the development of the disease
- Symptoms of acute rhinitis
- Treatment of acute rhinitis
- Prevention of the disease
- Complications
- Video
In the treatment of acute rhinitis, one should adhere to the medical prescription, which should take into account the etiology of the disease and the stage of its development. What are the symptoms of a runny nose? What complications are possible?
The severity of the symptoms of a cold is determined by the type of pathogen
Acute rhinitis (AR) is a disease in which inflammation affects the nasal mucosa. It is a multi-row columnar ciliated epithelium covered with mucus.
The secret protects the nasal mucosa from drying out and prevents the sedimentation and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. With reduced immunity, they penetrate inside and provoke the development of AR.
Acute rhinitis code according to ICD-10: J00 - acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose).
The reasons for the development of the disease
The main causative agents of acute catarrhal rhinitis are pathogenic microorganisms:
- viruses (influenza, rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses). They have the greatest affinity for epithelial cells. As a result of their reproduction, a significant amount of decay products accumulates, the activity of the cilia decreases and inflammation develops;
- bacteria (staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus). They cause intoxication and an acute inflammatory process. In this case, prolonged exposure to toxins leads to the occurrence of not only a local reaction, but also to the manifestation of general symptoms of the disease.
Often the cause of acute nasopharyngitis is viruses, in particular parainfluenza
In some cases, an allergic reaction is the cause of an acute rhinitis. Airborne allergens cause inflammation. Pathology can be caused by: pollen of plants, animal hair, chemicals, food, dust.
The disease can develop against the background of allergies, for example, to pollen
Infection with gonorrhea during childbirth can cause a runny nose in newborns. This infection is transmitted from a sick mother when the baby passes through the birth canal.
There are certain factors that influence the development and severity of the disease:
- disorders of the immune system;
- frequent hypothermia;
- inhaled air pollution;
- the presence of adenoids;
- bad habits;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- injury to the nose;
- chronic diseases of the nasopharynx;
- concomitant systemic diseases;
- the use of hormonal drugs or drugs that suppress immunity.
Symptoms of acute rhinitis
Depending on the stage of the disease, the patient has the following symptoms of RR:
- The initial stage of the disease can last for several hours. The patient begins to feel a burning sensation, tickling and dryness in the nasopharynx. Chills, lethargy may appear, body temperature rises to 37 ° C.
- In the second stage of the disease, signs indicating the development of the inflammatory process increase. Clear mucous discharge from the nose appears. They irritate the skin in the area of the nasolabial triangle, so redness occurs, the skin cracks and swells, and a burning sensation appears. Also, due to edema of the mucous membrane, the patient's nasal breathing is disturbed, while the voice may change and nasalness may appear. If the immune system copes with the disease, at this stage the symptoms of the common cold may disappear.
- The third stage of acute rhinitis is observed 4–5 days after the onset of the disease. The appearance of nasal discharge changes, they acquire a greenish or yellow tint and a thick consistency.
In most cases, symptoms disappear completely within 4-10 days after the onset of the disease. In patients with reduced protective functions of the body, OR can last up to four weeks, become chronic, or lead to the development of complications.
With atrophy of the nasal mucosa, the duration of the first and second stages of the disease is reduced, and the third - increases by several weeks. In case of subacute rhinitis in a patient, the disease proceeds as usual in the first 7–12 days, and then for 3–4 weeks nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge and crusting are noted. At the same time, the general state of health remains normal.
In children, the disease can be severe
Acute rhinitis in children can be difficult. It is especially dangerous in infants, as it often causes complications. Since the child cannot blow out the secretions that accumulate in the nasal cavity, nasal breathing is disturbed, which affects the general condition and appetite. In older children, acute nasopharyngitis proceeds in the same way as in adults.
Treatment of acute rhinitis
In order to diagnose a runny nose, it is enough for the doctor to conduct an examination and collect anamnesis (to determine the cause of the disease). In the first stage of AR, clinical manifestations such as dryness and redness of the nasal mucosa and absence of discharge are noted.
With a runny nose, it may be necessary to prescribe a complex treatment, depending on the age and stage of the disease.
In the second stage, there is swelling of the mucous membrane and the presence of secretions on the walls of the nose. Depending on the causative agent of the disease, they can be serous or purulent. If the OR is caused by fungi, fungal plaque is possible on the walls of the nasopharynx.
In young children, mucus often collects in the back of the nose. This is due to the age-related anatomical structure of the nasopharynx. Redness of the back of the throat is observed, on it you can see streaks of sputum that descend from the nose.
At the first stage of the common cold, it is necessary to prevent the introduction of the virus and stop its development in the epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa. For this, antiviral drugs are prescribed:
- interferons (human leukocyte interferon);
- interferon-containing local agents (Viferon);
- interferon inducers (Tiloron);
- antiviral immunoglobulins.
In the complex treatment of acute rhinitis in adults, Remantadine (affects the group A virus) or Acyclovir (active against the herpes virus) can be used.
In the second stage of the disease, topical decongestants based on naphazoline, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline or xylometazoline (Naphthyzin, Galazolin, Noxprey, Evkazolin) are used to reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and restore nasal breathing, as well as to reduce the amount of discharge. Short-term courses of treatment (5-7 days) do not lead to changes in the nasal mucosa and do not cause addiction. With more prolonged use, it is possible to develop drug-induced rhinitis.
Combined drugs can also be prescribed, which, in addition to the vasoconstrictor, include antiallergic or antibacterial components (Vibrocil, Edem Reno).
At the third stage of the disease, preference is given to drugs with antimicrobial action (Protargol, Okomistin). These medications work against viruses, fungi and bacteria and help prevent inflammation.
Complex preparations are highly effective, which, along with the vasoconstrictor component, include paracetamol (Coldrex, Teraflu, Pharmacitron). These remedies can help reduce the symptoms of the common cold.
In the complex treatment of AR at the initial stage, antihistamines can be used. Their action is aimed at eliminating swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, reducing the amount of nasal discharge. But at the late stage of infectious rhinitis, there are no pharmacological grounds for prescribing such drugs.
In the second and third stages of the disease, saline solutions are used to rinse the nose. They allow you to cleanse the sinuses and nasal cavity from accumulated secretions. It is not recommended to use oil solutions, as this negatively affects the function of the ciliated epithelium of the nasal mucosa.
In order to thin phlegm, reduce its viscosity and restore the functions of the ciliated epithelium, mucolytic agents based on acetylcysteine or carbocysteine are used. Most often they are prescribed in the second stage of OR when viscous mucus appears. At the first stage, mucolytics are not used, since they can enhance the inflammatory process in the nose.
In acute nasopharyngitis, keep the air in the room moist and cool
In most cases, treatment of acute rhinitis is carried out at home. In order to relieve symptoms, reduce irritation, prevent crusting and impaired outflow of contents, the air in the patient's room should be cool and humid.
The patient needs a plentiful warm drink. It is recommended to spend time outdoors. At elevated body temperature, paracetamol or ibuprofen-based medicines are used.
At the initial stage of the disease, hot foot baths give a good effect. Mustard plasters can also be used, which are applied to the calf muscles.
At home, beet juice can be used to reduce nasal discharge.
How to treat AR at home? In order to reduce the amount of secretions and restore nasal breathing, beetroot juice is used, which is previously diluted with water and instilled in 3 drops into each nostril.
For rinsing the nose, you can use extracts of chamomile, sage or oak bark. To prepare such a remedy, pour a teaspoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and insist until it cools down to a comfortable temperature, carefully filter it before use.
Prevention of the disease
In order to avoid the development of inflammation, the following recommendations must be followed:
- lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, play sports and often walk in the fresh air, which will make it possible to strengthen the immune system;
- get rid of bad habits;
- take vitamin complexes during the cold season;
- consult a doctor in a timely manner and treat diseases of the nasopharynx.
Complications
Acute nasopharyngitis can cause the following complications:
- sinusitis (sinusitis, sphenoiditis, ethmoiditis, frontal sinusitis);
- tracheobronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- dacryocystitis;
- otitis;
- stomatitis;
- dermatitis in the area of the nasolabial triangle.
In most cases, AR can be treated at home without the need for medical attention. But if the disease is accompanied by high body temperature, headache, and purulent discharge appears from the nasal cavity, it is necessary to consult an otolaryngologist.
Video
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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