Advice for 2 Y/o with Severe Runny Nose

Updated on November 21, 2006
A.F. asks from Florence, MS
11 answers

My 2 year old, Haley, came ito this world with a snotty nose. We have seen her regular doctor, an ENT, an allergist etc. Sometimes it is clear in color and sometimes it turns green. I cannot leave the house without a box of Kleenex. I think she had been on every kind of antihistamine and decongestant they make. I have just about decided to live with it. We have had her adenoids removed, an allergy skin test, CT scans of her sinuses.....but no one has been able to give any answers. She has been on antibiotic after antibiotic.
Like I said before, I have decided to live with it. When she goes to visit her dad on his weekend, he and his wife insist that she is sick and usually take her to the doctor. I do not consider her runny nose with no other complications to be considered sick. They took her to the allergist this past Monday and now he is sending us to another ENT.
I just do not know what else it could be. I have suggested to her dad to quit pushing the issue and to try to see if this is something that she will grow out of.
Her dad insinuates that I dont care for her like I should since I dont drop everything and run to the doc when her nose starts running alot. I just cant miss a day each week from work to take her to the doc over something as petty as a runny nose.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for the advice. We take Haley to the ENT tomorrow. I have not had to give her any meds the past 24 hours....he nose is barely running (clear). I would say that her condition right now does not even warrant a trip to the doc.....but just to be on the safe side, we will be there.

11/11 We took Haley to the ENT yesterday. They sent us to have a CT scan, but she would not cooperate. They are supposed to call me to schedule another CT (she will be sedated). They saw something on the original CTs (from 2 months ago) and he thinks it my be a cyst or some polyps in one of her sinus cavities that are causing a blockage.
In the mean time he put her on Nasacort and Prevacid. I thought that was strange, but the doc says that a lot of kids that have reflux have a runny nose as well.

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J.B.

answers from Chattanooga on

Hi! I would have to say stop giving her so many meds. I have two boys and I don't give them any meds until they really need them and because of that they always work within a few days. I am a mom who is really against meds though. I try to fix things without having to give them. Also try a humidifier in her room. Another thing to try is saline drops. I hate a snotty nose so I could only imagine how upset you must be...they are so gross. I hope maybe I helped...let me know if any of it works.
J. Brock

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V.B.

answers from Clarksville on

May not be much help, but whenever my children have had green mucous the doctor says that is always a sign of an infection. Good luck!

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C.M.

answers from Johnson City on

A.,
I don't know much about runny noses and I can understand how frustrating it is for there to be something wrong with our children but we can't do anything to help. I am sorry your ex is acting the way he is all I can tell you about that is to take whatever he says with a grian of salt. You know how good of a mom you are!!!!!

J.B.

answers from Memphis on

A.,

That runny nose is an immune system problem - here are some things that you can check out to give her immune system as much support as you can from home:

Plenty of regular rest - bed same time, nap same time

Almost NO sugar

Almost NO white flour - use 100% whole grains instead

Ridding your house of harsh chemicals like you find in Tide, Windex, Downy, bathroom cleaners - and even some personal care products...lotions, shampoos, etc. Yes, even Johnson and Johnson uses harsh chemicals - not enough supposedly to hurt anyone...but even the American Lung Association is saying we need to find safer cleaning and personal care products. We are breathing too many toxins for too many years. I have a friend that, although grown, went through a sinus ordeal like this - even tried surgery. Her problem cleared up the very week she switched to no-harsh-chemical products from a wellness company called Melaleuca.

Plenty of fluids - water or juice really dilluted with water.

Quality vitamins - not Flinstones and such. My daughter orders hers from a company called Shaklee for her two year old.

I raised three healthy kids - and maybe their immune systems were stronger than all those around them, but I don't think so. I think it's because we followed the above suggestions most of their lives. They are adults now...and they testify a difference when they do the above and when they don't. Your whole family will benefit...

Only hoping to enhance your life..J.

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K.

answers from Atlanta on

My daughter was the same way until this year (she is almost five). We went to allergists, ents, all kinds of allergy medicine and tons of antibiotics. This year we have not had a problem so far. I don't know why. The only difference is that we got a dyson vacuum cleaner last year. I don't know if it really helped or was just a coincidence. I don't think you want to run her to the doctor weekly because in my experience, they seem to end up catching something they didn't have from the other kids. Just keep a record of the visits so you always have proof of the times you do take her.

K.

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M.H.

answers from Augusta on

Hi. My son was the same way when he was born. It seemed like he was only one some type of medication. When he was a year and half old I had him tested for allergies. They did not find anything at the time but they said he may have been too young for anything to show up. I have allergies and so does my 13 year old (she also has asthma). I have even tried a nebulizer for him. I am sure you may have tried it already but the one thing that worked for my son was Zyrtec (spelling?). This is actually for allergies but it definitely helped clear up his runny nose. He is now five and is doing great. He still has a runny nose now and then but nothing like it used to be. I also found it helpful to put a humidifer in his room. I swear it was a permanant part of him room for at least 3 years!

Feel free to email me if you have any further questions! Good luck!

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J.D.

answers from Atlanta on

Hello A. F,

I have two children that are a bit older now but they frequently had the whole runny nose thing when they were younger. I went to a health food store and purchased the chewable Animal parade vitamins. I gave them to my children like clock work every day and they seemed to do much much better! Give it a try...it can't hurt.

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K.S.

answers from Macon on

Hi A., My kids had a similar problem. I have tried all but surgery and several drugs that just did not work. I have since found a company that makes all natural products that cleared up the runny nose and my kids feel better. And the best part about it is I work for this company now and I can keep my kids at home with me to prevent them from being exposed to viruses. Let me know if you want more information.

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S.E.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi.

I have two girls, 5 and 3, and both have problems with a lot of mucus. The five-year-old suffers from a lot of post nasal drip and irritated throat because of it. I have a history of sinus problems in my family.

Two years ago my father told me of a machine that changed his life (dramatic, I know but he really used to suffer from sinus migranes but no longer).

Here's the link he forwarded to me

http://www.alerg.com

I use this irrigation system on my girls and it's amazing how much mucus it cleans out of their little noses. They don't like it, of course, and I "hug" them while administering the treatment but after the first time of the season, they see that it's not so bad. I use it too and it prevents my sinuses from getting infected.

I strongly recommend it or a product like it. Just Google nasal irrigation and you will find articles and websites discussing it.

Good luck!

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C.H.

answers from Augusta on

Dont be upset by what ur husband says but understand it. I understand that you feel that youve tried everything to help her but before u give up, remember u maybe annoyed by it but its her who is living with it and not being able to breath through her nose properly.If u feel u cant take days out of work to help her then let ur husband, dont jusy say forget it and let ur baby suffer. Listen I have a name of my kids ped. who im positive would figure out whats wrong with ur daughter, hes been so great with mine.If ur not willing atleast tell ur husband... this doctor HATES seeing children suffer and he goes through great lenghts to help. His name is tito sabrinho if ur interested. hes located right across from doctors hospital on dewy gray circle.atleast give him a try..im confident hed help.

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A.F.

answers from Atlanta on

Since you've tried so many doctors already, I'd try a doctor who uses a more natural approach. I worked for such a doctor here in GA, and he really did wonders for people who couldn't find relief with regular doctors. It's worth a shot.

If you're interested, google "Holistic pediatricians" or "alternative medicine" and your area. Good luck!

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