June 19, 2019June 19, 2019 Category: Education Studies on nasal complaints in patients with
ectodermal dysplasias have shown that although structurally things appear relatively normal inside the nose, patients often have problems with dryness, crusting and rhinoliths. You may call them “nasal rocks”, concretions or simply big boogers! Many parents have expressed great difficulties in managing their children’s concretions and crusting in our private Facebook group for families affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Hard nasal “rocks” can grow to tremendous size requiring frequent removal, both by parents and healthcare professionals. We have a new library article titled “Nasal Irrigations” written by Dr. Brandon Hopkins to help you manage at home the symptoms and complications caused by the concretions. He is a pediatric ear-nose-throat doctor (otolaryngologist) at Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute who also serves on our Scientific Advisory Council. He shares in the article proper techniques on nasal irrigation and nasal rinses. Importance of RemovalNasal crusting is caused by abnormal mucus production or excessive accumulation. The mucus is thick and does not drain normally. Large crusts may form which may interfere with breathing or emit a foul odor. Parents frequently report these odors from their children’s noses.
While the formation of these rocks or concretions seems to improve with age, problems with nasal obstruction and crusting commonly do persist in to adulthood. They are also predisposed to frequent sinus infections. Saline SolutionsDr. Hopkins recommends a recipe for a salt water rinse in his article on nasal irrigations. Perform rinses regularly to improve blockage and dryness symptoms. Many of our parents can attest that rinses are very effective in dislodging these blockages.
One parent said she made it a point to always irrigate her daughter’s nose before dental visits. Doing this helped her daughter breathe better when the dentist was working in her mouth! Dr. Hopkins recommends that parents do not forcibly hold down their children when preforming these rinses. Instead, consider allowing your child to be in a sitting or standing position. This will make the nasal irrigations easier and more effective for both your child and yourself. Your child will be grateful for the experience and its effects.
Alternative Nasal IrrigationsYou might also consider using humidification to remove the nasal rocks. We recommend using cold humidification because it is safer to use cold steam than hot steam. Children can pull over the hot humidifier and subsequently acquire bad burns. Swimming and bathing can also provide relief. Parents report that when their children soak in a bath or swim in a pool, it helped nasal irrigations to occur naturally. Sound OffLearn more from Dr. Hopkins’ article about how often you should irrigate, the benefits, recipe and proper method. What have you found to be helpful to clear out the nasal rocks? Tell us in the comments below! We aim to ensure that all of your health needs are being met and to keep you updated on all the latest information. Download How to Irrigate Your Nose How do you get a stuck booger out of your nose?A saline spray will moisten stubborn pieces of dried mucus so they may come free more easily. But in young children, consider using a bulb syringe. That's because infants and young children might have a hard time blowing out the contents of their noses. A bulb syringe will suck it out.
Should you remove boogers?Don't try to pick boogers out of your nose
It can be tempting to pry boogers out of the nose, especially for children, but it isn't a good idea. Boogers can carry bacteria and viruses, which then get spread from your hands to whatever you touch. It also works the other way — germs on your hands can spread to your nose.
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