KuraFlo Paediatric Nasal Spray 30ml

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs. When they are given systemically as an injection or in tablet form their use should not be prolonged because this is associated with severe side effects on the rest of the body. Physicians often prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays particularly for patients with allergies. They are safe to use on a daily basis and over long periods. These sprays reduce chronic inflammation of the mucosa (mucus membrane) in nasal passages and sinuses. They also help by reducing itchiness and sneezing.

In rhinitis or sinusitis the membranes in nose and sinuses respectively are inflamed. The cause is usually a viral infection or common cold. Infections move easily from nose to sinuses since there are no valves preventing the spread. If a viral infection is not cleared the circumstances in nose and sinuses may become conducive for bacteria to also grow and multiply. This is called a superinfection.

Allergies can also cause rhinitis and so can pollutants, dust, chemicals, smoke and any other foreign material in the nose. A foreign body such as a bead or a piece of plastic in a child’s nose can result in a pussy and often bad-smelling nasal discharge which looks like sinusitis.

Fungal infections of the nose or sinuses are rare.

A sinus is an air-filled cavity surrounded by bone and connected to the nose via small air channels. Any condition or disease affecting the nose can easily spread to the sinus cavities.

The word ‘sinus’ is however often used to describe a congested, snotty, runny or even itchy nose. It is even used synonymously for hay fever. This leads to great confusion between patient and doctor and often results in the wrong diagnosis being made and the wrong treatment given. It is therefore advisable to stick to terms like ‘blocked nose’, ‘runny nose’, ‘headaches in face and around the eyes’, ‘ itchy and sneezy nose’ etc. when describing your symptoms to the doctor.

Decongestants can dry up mucus and blocked nose, sinus canals, eustachian tube and even the small air channels in the lungs (bronchioles). Antihistamines may cause sedation and thicken the discharge which is the very last thing you want for your baby. A hypertonic saline baby nasal spray or nebuliser will offer much more effective and affordable relief. Cleaning of the nasal passages helps reduce the impact of infections and may even prevent infections from taking place.

When your baby’s nose is very blocked and hypertonic saline alone is not effective, topical application of decongestant drops is advisable. This is usually only necessary at night to ensure comfortable nasal breathing and thus a peaceful sleep.