To Identify And Treat Mucus In Children

When a virus comes in contact with the airways and infects them, the body responds by producing this gel-like material. That way, it catches the bacteria so they can be expelled.

It is important for parents to be well informed about this condition and its treatment. That way, they will know what to do if their child loses appetite, becomes exhausted or shows other symptoms, which we will mention below.

Although mucus does not represent a serious problem in itself, it can be a sign of a more complex disease. 

What types of mucus in children are there?

The types of  mucus in children  include:

• Clear and numerous amount of mucus. It goes up and down the throat and some children swallow it. It is a sign of a cold, and is followed by constant sneezing. It can last between 2 and 4 days.

• Thick and numerous amount of mucus. When a cold does not go away, the throat can begin to fight the mucus, by making an even thicker mucus. Although there may not be much mucus in the baby’s nose, he will start coughing often when he lies down.
• Green or yellow mucus. These two colors indicate that the white blood cells have begun to fight an infection
• Thick, green mucus. It usually occurs in the morning. It also appears in the eyes, and is a sign that the white blood cells are fighting an infection.
• Mucus by a persistent cough and a suffocating sensation. When your child has trouble breathing at night and coughs a lot, it can mean that he has bronchitis.
• Thick mucus accompanied by fever. This may be a sign of a more serious infection, such as an ear infection or pneumonia.

Should mucus in children be treated?

Most pediatricians do not prescribe medication to fight mucus in children when they are under 2 years old. It is better to treat them with simple means that allow them to excrete the mucus.

However, they  can be treated with medication if the mucus is in large quantities,  does not allow the child to breathe easily, or is accompanied by high fever.

What methods can be used?

There are several treatments that can be used to eliminate mucus in children.

• Keep your child well hydrated. By providing your child with plenty of water, the mucus will become more fluid and it will help to excrete it through coughing.

• Provide the child with a ventilated environment.  The room must be well ventilated and maintained to prevent fungi from taking shape.
• Use a nose tweezers. These are used to remove dry mucus from a baby’s nostril.
• Use a nasal wash. These should be given when the baby is lying on its side and administered via a serum into a syringe in each nostril. This serum can be physiological, hypertonic or saline.

In addition to these, funds can also be given at home, such as:

• An infusion of katost with lemon juice and honey. 
• Carrot and orange juice every morning,  due to its high content of vitamins A and C.
• Chicken broth,  to reduce inflammation in the airways, thanks to the cysteine ​​part.

In case of high fever, your pediatrician may prescribe other medications, such as:

• Antihistamines
• Antibiotics

• Acetylcysteine
• Nebulizers

When is it necessary to take the child to the pediatrician?

If your child has any of the following symptoms, do not hesitate to take him to the doctor:

• Very persistent cough that causes suffocation. If this happens, he may have bronchitis.
• General malaise and high fever,  which may be signs of ear infection or pneumonia.

In conclusion,  mucus in children is very normal, and not always harmful,  because it is a defense mechanism against infections.

However,  if you notice that your child has a lot of mucus, coughs without stopping and experiences disturbed sleep,  then take the necessary reservations.

If you notice that he also has other symptoms, take him to the pediatrician immediately.