KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi all experienced parents, need advice from all of you on how to ease a blocked nose.

DS is having a flu, and when he lies down to sleep, his nose will be all clogged up. Had only about 4 hours of sleep (both him and me).

PD prescribed Zyrtec (droplet) but it seemed to work better for me than him. Iliadin was also prescribed but I heard that after the medication wears off, you will actually feel the nose more blocked than before.

Vicks inhaler is not an option since it's probably too irritating for a 21-month old.

We also use a pillow to prop his head up and that helped a little...until he tossed and turned and slid off.

So what else can I try??

Hope to learn some tips here.....

BigDevil wrote: PD prescribed Zyrtec (droplet) but it seemed to work better for me than him. Iliadin was also prescribed but I heard that after the medication wears off, you will actually feel the nose more blocked than before.

BigDevil,
i am a fan of dimetapp - i works for my kids and me. the drowsy effect is good to ensure that the sick (and the caregiver) get the much needed rest.

when kids get sick, parents get burnt out too - do take care.

Hi,

You can try Karvol Capsules (can buy off-counter from pharmacies), which I used to relief DS's blocked nose, esp during sleeping time.

Just open a capsule and dip onto the handky, placed near the head (on the pillow) or inside the pillow cover, it will help to clear the blocked nose.

Vicks is out as DS is allergy to it and this works for me too.

Yes, Karvol is very effective, I used it on my gal when she was a baby and now once in a while when she gets blocked nose, she'll request for it. Even now that she's 7 yrs old, I still dip the solution on a hanky and insert the hanky into her pillow case. It really ease the breathing.

Zyrtec is mainly for relieving allergies, I find it of not much use for flu. DD's PD prescribed Chlormine, find it very effective, but it makes her drowsy. You can get it at Guardian - however requires the Pharmacist to dispense it.

Try saline nasal spray or wash like Sterimar.

Kiddos' PD recommended that to both as they both have allergy rhinitis. If it is not severe, she prefers that they use this instead of other nasal drops or spray as it is natural. And it helps maintain a clear airway.

You can get it at most pharmacies.

happymom_aa wrote:You can try Karvol Capsules....

barney wrote:Yes, Karvol is very effective...

Great!! That's 2 votes for Karvol. Thanks!! Will go pick it up when heading out for lunch.

scoobydoo wrote:Zyrtec is mainly for relieving allergies, I find it of not much use for flu. DD's PD prescribed Chlormine, find it very effective, but it makes her drowsy. You can get it at Guardian - however requires the Pharmacist to dispense it.

We are giving him Chlormine right now, but PD says that's for running nose, and Zyrtec to be taken before bed to ease blocked nose. Both med are supposed to cause drowsiness, but DS is still active as ever. Maybe we have a hyperactive kid...

Eucalyptus oil. We have it in diluted form (from my MIL, I'll have to ask DW for details) which we spray on DD's pillow/bed, and her back/chest. Must be diluted otherwise may irritate skin. Eucalyptus oil has decongestant properties so will unblock noses.

However, I think it is also an ingredient in many decongestant oils like Axe oil and Vicks so you may alr be using it.

Funz wrote:Try saline nasal spray or wash like Sterimar.

Kiddos' PD recommended that to both as they both have allergy rhinitis. If it is not severe, she prefers that they use this instead of other nasal drops or spray as it is natural. And it helps maintain a clear airway.

You can get it at most pharmacies.

Oh yes, Sterimar....we did use that before.

Trouble is, DS really doesn't like getting sprayed in the nose and will kick and scream and cry...ending up with the nose more blocked than before!

sashimi wrote:Eucalyptus oil. We have it in diluted form (from my MIL, I'll have to ask DW for details) which we spray on DD's pillow/bed, and her back/chest. Must be diluted otherwise may irritate skin. Eucalyptus oil has decongestant properties so will unblock noses.

However, I think it is also an ingredient in many decongestant oils like Axe oil and Vicks so you may alr be using it.

My mom buys the oil in bigger bottles. She says that it is very expensive as it's pure and an essential oil, the kind you use in aromatherapy. She dilutes it (probably with a lesser oil, not water naturally) and passes it to us in a small spray bottle. Even diluted, it may also irritate skin so sometimes, I spray it on my palm and very quickly transfer it to DD's skin. You have to do this within 1 second of spraying or lose the oil to evaporation. I spray it on her back, chest, throat, back of throat and ears.

(When DD used to be bitten by bed bugs/mites, my mom also told me to spray it on her bedding as the bugs hate eucalyptus. I don;t do this anymore since she doesn't get bitten anymore and the oil is expensive.)