Pediatrician Gorlova warned about the danger of drops from the common cold for children

Most drops from nasal congestion are vasoconstrictor drugs. They are called decongestants. They temporarily facilitate nasal breathing of the child. However, they can only be used in situations where a runny nose causes significant discomfort.

As told “Gazete.Ru” Victoria Gorlova, a pediatrician, an expert of the Mama TV channel, said that some drugs of this group in other countries are not recommended for children under six years of age. In this case, the risk outweighs the benefit.

In Russia, such strict boundaries have not been established, but most pediatricians try to do without them during treatment.

Gorlova explained that vasoconstrictor drugs with prolonged uncontrolled use are not only addictive. They can lead, especially in young children, to overdose and intoxication, even death.

“This is due to the drug entering the bloodstream through the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth and the systemic effect on the entire body,” the pediatrician added.

Victoria Gorlova advised specifying the dosage when choosing drops, since the preparations of this group for adults are definitely not suitable for a small patient.

“It is advisable to choose such pipettes or sprays where a measured amount of the drug is strictly ingested, and not a whole jet pours uncontrollably into the nose,” the doctor recommended.

But even in this case, vasoconstrictor drugs can be used for a limited number of days. In particular, no more than three. The frequency of taking such sprays is calculated once every eight hours.

Gorlova stressed that this group of drugs is not prescribed by the course, they are used as needed. And the less often, the better.

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