How to treat white thick snot in a child and an adult and what they mean

White thick snot is a clear sign that an infection is present in the body. The disease can manifest itself both in a child (even a baby) and in an adult. In order to understand how to treat this symptom, you should understand the reasons for its appearance. This is very important, because the diseases that are accompanied by this symptom can be very serious.

The allocation of snot in small quantities is the norm for the human body. Ideally, the secret should be transparent. It performs a lubricating function on the surface of mucous tissues. If excessive discharge is observed, and their color changes, then this is a clear sign that the body has undergone infection or inflammation.

A change in the color of mucous secretions from the nose can be associated with the stage of the disease. For example, a transparent secret appears when a person has just become infected or, conversely, is recovering. If the disease begins to develop, then the consistency of the discharge becomes thicker, and the color is white. Over time, the secret may have other shades. It all depends not only on the stage, but also on the specific disease.

White snot can appear in situations where the body does not receive enough fluid. It also means that the patient is breathing dry air. Sometimes such discharge can appear if it is not properly treated for colds. A white tint can also indicate the presence of pus in the nasal cavity.

Thick white snot leads to very strong discomfort. They are difficult to remove from the nasal passages, and the respiratory function is impaired. It is especially bad when this ailment is observed in infants. The kid cannot blow his nose himself, and he has to help.

White mucous discharge from the nose in childhood

Quite often, white snot in a child is caused by allergic processes. If so, then the secret stretches very strongly and has a thick consistency. Also, the seasonality of the appearance may indicate that the symptom belongs to an allergy. For example, snot appears only when plants bloom. The main causes of allergies in infants include:

• animal hair;
• dust deposits in dry air;
• bacteria that live in fabrics, carpets, linen.

To accurately determine the cause of an allergic reaction in a baby, you will need to take a blood test. Specialists will check the reaction to a variety of allergens and establish the pathogen. Treatment of infants is not limited only to the elimination of the cause. Be sure to use antihistamines.

The nasal passages of the baby should be well cleaned. To do this, you can use saline. Regular rinsing with it thins the secret, and it will be easier for the baby to blow his nose. The solution is absolutely safe.

White snot in a child appears not only at the stage of development of various diseases, but also after them. For example, after measles and flu, mucous discharge from the nose can disturb the baby for a long time. This usually means that sinusitis has begun to develop in the nasal cavity of the baby. To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to perform an x-ray of the nasal sinuses.

Often, X-rays reveal other reasons for the appearance of a white secret. For example, it may be, as well as foreign objects that have damaged the mucous membrane of the baby. The specialist will tell you how best to be treated in such a situation, and prescribe the necessary drugs. Quite often in children, white snot appears when the upper teeth are affected by caries.

White mucus discharge from the nose in adults

White snot in an adult patient is a clear sign of an inflammatory process. It is especially bad if it passes with the release of pus. This indicates that the symptom belongs to certain diseases. These include:

• adenoiditis;
• ethmoiditis;
• various types of sinusitis.

Adenoiditis of a purulent nature appears as a result of the action of streptococci, which are transmitted through the air. Usually the adenoids are affected. Ethmoiditis is characterized by inflammatory processes of the mucous tissues of the ethmoid bone. In the case when the patient is prone to sinusitis, the frontal sinuses are exposed to inflammation. X-rays are used to determine the cause.

Separately, it is worth talking about another possible reason for the appearance of white mucus. Often, a symptom suggests that a polyp is present in the nasal cavity. This is a tumor that appears as a result of hypertrophy of the mucous membrane. Formations block the nasal passages and increase the likelihood of sinusitis. You can treat the disease by washing with a variety of compounds, but the best option would be surgery.

Quite often, white snot is released from patients due to chronic diseases of the nasopharynx. There are situations when a white secret accompanies rarer infections. These include the Epstein-Barr virus, as well as cytomegalovirus. In this case, the discharge is very difficult to blow your nose.

A specialist should treat such serious diseases (especially in infants). Therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the source of infection. In addition, they actively use procedures that help remove an unpleasant symptom and facilitate respiratory function. Well, for prevention, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and follow the basic rules of hygiene.