Is it normal to have a constant runny nose (17mths)

[madrose]

Just a query really, my DD (17 months) who is teething, seems to have a constantly runny nose with green snot.

She sounds really snuffly, and at times seems to breathe very quickly and shallowly - mainly when asleep.

She is a noisy breather and I have taken to the doctors before, they've listened to her chest and said she's fine (and made me feel like I'm wasting their time)

I suppose I've now got used to the snuffles etc, but I have a friend staying (mum of 4) who commented on the noise she made.

and someone else has commented that she sounds chesty.

Is this normal for a teething child, and would I be better of seeing the HV rather than the Doctor who I KNOW will fob me off again.

Otherwise she is in good health - eats well, sleeps well, plays, is lively etc.

Any advice welcome

thanks

How long has she been like this? I posted about ds1 (nearly 5) who had had a snotty nose for around 4 months - and on advice went first to pharmacist and then dr. Dr prescribed anti-biotics, suspecting a low grade infection, and they did the trick. If not an infection, Dr would have gone on to suggest we try a long course of anti-histamines. BTW, this was a Dr who had previously NEVER prescribed anything. I should try your Dr, but be armed with a 'case history'.

Good luck.

Thank you very much - sorry for not replying before but actually got to go out - so not stuck to PC

She's been like this for months now, at least 3 if not 4.

Taking her to the 'clinic' today going to speak to HV then make an apointment at dr.

decided to see hv as it will be documented in red book and i'll be able to use it as 'evidence' along with your story. so thank you.

Really don't want to scare you at all but do follow up. DS went to nursery and had been 'chesty' since march ish. Doctors said don't worry, it's just coz he goes to nursery he gets so many colds. About 2 months ago 'chesty' turned into grunting and he ended up in hospital with pneumonia - very scary for me and DH. He didn't really get better though and 7 weeks later after us banging on at the docs he went into hospital again and it turned out he'd breathed in a piece of food - though we don't recall him choking on anything. As soon as they took it out, he was totally fine again - different child!

A friend who's a doctor also told me she had a case recently of a little girl who had a very smelly runny nose - turned out she'd stuck a stone up it and it was infected.

Just telling you this to make the point that you are mum and your instincts should be followed! Also with child who's got signs of constant infection signs you should go and seek medical advice immediately are bad smell (sign of infection), grunting, pulling in of the skin below the ribs or at the base of the neck at the front, OR any 'mummy' sense you have that tells you she's having difficulty breathing.

Do hope your DD feels better soon, and remember my experience is pretty rare - she's probably just got a succession of colds.

oh you poor thing, you must have been so scared. But it sounds like your LO is bouncing about again.

I saw the HV today and explain the situation, and she has referred me to the community Paediatrician, shld get an appointment in a couple of weeks.

But thanks for your advice and I will watch her closely.

and YUK re the stone.

Result Madrose! Straight to paediatrician eh!

I know I felt stupid taking ds1 to a dr over a runny nose, so it's good sometimes to know that you're not just a neurotic mum.

Hope paediatrician sorts your dd out quickly.

Think it help that I took my friend in who was visiting, she's a ma of 4, and she slept in DDs room, and said the 'snuffly' noise she was making wasn't normal, she sounds completely bunged up and her breathing was very noisy.

She sat across the way and like a small child I pointed to her and said 'she said that's not normal'

Now I feel a little guilty that I didn't insist that the Dr looked further into it, but then I remember that I was quite insistent and it still didn't make any difference

Also, I know it's silly but every time I talk to a health professional re my DD - I become close to tears (me a hardened secondary teacher ). I think it scares me how vulnerable the little ones are, especially when I read your story

Mind you, pretty impressed with the HV's I don't have much contact with them, but when I do, they do what they can to help my DD, which is what it what it's all about.

Hey this is positive comment re HV's

Don't feel guilty for not taking it further before now at all - it's hard to tell what's normal when things build gradually and you get used to them. We only realised how ill DS had been after he got better.

And don't worry about your reaction to health professionals either - I am one and still go quakey at the knees when I take DS to the docs!