What Causes Running Nose In An Infant?

Posted on Thu, 20 Jul 2017

Question: Hi Doctor,

My 8th month old baby had a running nose since Sunday.I gave her steam inhalation on Sunday night and Monday post that her running nose has stopped.However since yesterday and today morning whevever she wakes up she coughs continously.This cough isnt there during the day.She seeems fine and active.Can we do something for the cough she gets in the morning when she wakes up?

Regards,
xxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like a viral cough and cold - suggested remedies.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.

Cough and cold are viral 95% of the times in children. For cold you can use anti-allergics like cetirizine and for nose block, saline nasal decongestants will do.

For fever - Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (max ceiling dose 500mg) every 4-6th hourly, that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.

For cold and cough (at this age) you can use Cetrizine at 0.25mg/kg/dose every 12 hourly for 3 days.

If the cough doesn't get better in 3 days I suggest you consult your pediatrician, as there is a seasonal change and it could be a hyper reactive airways problem.

For nasal block, plain saline nasal drops will do, every 4-6th hourly to relive nasal congestion.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (14 hours later)

Thanks Doctor.Baby has no fever.Its only cough she gets at times.Nose also is not running.Can we give her Kufril LS drops?What should be the dose?Also do we still give her steam or Nasal drops?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on viral cough and cold

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

1. Kufril LS contains Ambroxol and Guiphenasin, both of which are not licensed in this age group. So I suggest you not to use it. Moreover it contains Levosalbutamol which is used for wheezing.

Instead you can use Cetrizine or Levocetirizine as I had suggested in my previous interaction.

2. You can continue steam inhalation and saline nasal drops. No problem.

By what you say I feel she's getting better.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 minutes later)

Thanks Doctor.Will continue to give her steam inhalation and monitor her coughing.How long does such cough last in babies?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cough might take a week to settle down

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... usually in such viral cold and cough, initially the cold settles down along with runny nose and then the cough might take another week to completely settle down.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.

Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D