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Original poster

When child has continual snot - I need some advice please

22 replies

VoluptuaGoodshag · 13/04/2007 21:10

What to do??? I've been to the doctor's who said not to worry as it would probably be OK by spring. Well it's here and the snot is as thick and green as ever on DS (2.3) and I'm sure it's one of the reasons he keeps waking at night. I have to wipe his nose continually and it really is disgusting, thick, green slime with the occasional bubble. He always sounds choked and snores as well. I'm going back to doc's next week but I need some ammo as I don't want to be fobbed off again. This has been going on since November.

OP posts:
DrNortherner · 13/04/2007 21:13

I thought if snot were really green it was a sign of infection?

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 13/04/2007 21:14

Hmmm that's interesting. Even when at the doc's previously and the little darling had the good grace to blow a perfect snotty green bubble for her just to prove I wasn't paranoid, she still didn't seem bothered

OP posts:
chocolateface · 13/04/2007 21:18

My DD has has a green nose for a few weeks...today it finally seems to be going, I thought it was because I'd stopped sterising her dummies (she's 21 months)
Do you want antibiotics?

kimi · 13/04/2007 21:23

Has your DS put anything up his nose????
I know someone who's child had a snotty green nose and it was a bead stuck up there.

SittingBull · 13/04/2007 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 13/04/2007 21:27

Don't think there is anything up his nose. I understand that ABs don't work for viruses but if this is a bacterial infection then yes, I want some for him as I feel 6 months is way long enough to put up with it. I've also already tried extra vits and echinacea to help with his immune system but to no avail. He seems perfectly healthy otherwise

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princessmel · 13/04/2007 21:31

Ds was like this his whole life. I went to docs loads of times and they said its just a cold or allergies.
I got an appointment for him at an allergy clinic ( under my own steam, had to get a doc refferal letter, I found this out myself as my doctor said there were no allergy clinics) and was told he had Chronic allergic Rhinitis. He has a nose puffer (not sure of real name). Its like an inhaler for his nose, it opens his nasel passages like his inhaler does for his asthma.

KathG · 14/04/2007 06:36

odd - but try swapping to soya or goat milk, worked for us along with fixing her digestion!

Jackaroo · 14/04/2007 19:42

I diagnosed (la, look at me!) DS's lactose problem at 2wks. I stopped drinking it, he stopped having colic... and when I stopped feeding him moved on to prescription formula (lovely GP took my word for it...). Never had a snotty nose, unless has a cold, and even then he's only once had anything slimey, as it were... Now 19 months, have tried him on goats milk, no good, I have a really big problem with soya, so have not chanced it yet ...

Anyway, ENT consultant (mine) said "he's never had any milk has he?".. because apparently you can tell even from an early age by the lack of gunk in their ears and noses....

So, I'd go with changing the milk for a bit and try it again when he's older(btw, hard cheese is more or less OK, gets a bit snotty, but he's got to eat something

frances5 · 14/04/2007 19:53

Well.. I breastfed my son until 2 and half years old and exclusively until he was 28 weeks old. Inspite of this my son had constant streaming snot until the age of three and half when his adeniods were removed. (To improve his hearing not to stop the snot)

I think that my experience shows that breastfeeding doesnt prevent snot. Certainly snotty noses and glue ear shouldnt be used as a stick to beat mums who choose to give formula/ cows milk to their children.

My son still has a snotty nose and severe glue ear. The problem with allergies is that it could be anything that he is allergic to.

funnypeculiar · 14/04/2007 20:05

cutting down milk can help ... but a mate of mine's little boy was like this ... and they eventually diagnosed an adenoidal problem - he had to see an ENT specialist to get a diagnosis. His other symptoms were difficulty hearing (nothing major - his mum hadn't noticed) and I think some snoring/very noisy sleeping...
Useful ammo?

Jackaroo · 15/04/2007 06:58

I wouldn't for a moment suggest that giving children formula or cows milk is something to castigate mothers for (if it's relevant, I will be keeping breastfeeding to a minimum with any future child because of the impact it had on my PND).. good job I didn't add the anedoctal evidence that completely changing my brother's diet meant he didn't need his glue ear or adenoids dealing with!

I think to jump on me about it is unhelpful. Where did I say it was anything other than my personal experience???!!! I tried to tell it in a relatively light-hearted way, and I don't think I was suggesting that it was the way forward for everyone, and I did say that I stopped dairy when breastfeeding, not that breastfeeding alone was the answer to all our prayers (don't even get me started on that one.....), and I used formula. I always need extra help to feel better about myself, cheers.

Sorry VGS, nothing to do with your original post. I do hope that your GP takes it seriously next time - the fact that it's affecting your lo's sleep etc.must be taken seriously, even if on the face of it the GP thinks "oh just another snotty nose", I suspect it's a bit like doctors used to (?) think all women should just put up with period pain however bad...good luck.

Twinmummyx2 · 15/04/2007 08:43

My dd2 is like that..sometimes green sometimes clear....i now use sudafed from the chemist and it helps.....it does return in the end though.....

...be warned sudafed can make them hyper....it dosen't with my dd..but my chemist warned me it does affect some children in that way.

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 16/04/2007 21:22

Have an appointment for tomorrow and am now armed and dangerous

Interesting he drinks loads of cowsmilk, I'd say at least a pint a day.

Shall let you know what happens

OP posts:
Ash80 · 16/04/2007 21:28

Definelty agree regarding cutting down the cows milk, also green mucus is a sign of infection. Ask the doctor if he/she thinks your ds requires antibiotics..... Good luck

worleyweightwatcher · 16/04/2007 21:54

this is quite interesting, my 9 month old ds2 had had this for weeks and weeks, i have taken him to see the drs3 times in the last 6 week about this (well, the first time for this, the second he had conjunctivitis and the third was when the snot still hadnt cleared up)
the dr gave me the third time so drops to give him for when i bf him, but the dont really work, he does have a milk allergy and is on bf most of the time and had 2x 6 oz bottles of infasoy at nursery.
im wondering then if it could be the infasoy as i have cutout milk/dairy from my diet while i bf.

we are off to see a paed next week so can ask allabout it then.

thank you

Spidermama · 16/04/2007 21:57

My ds used to have huge ropes of snot all the time. It has disappeared since we cut out dairy. Actually he still has a bit of cheese or butter every now and then, and I know when he has had it because his farts smell terrible. (Sorry for TMI)

The snot thing is ancient history though. He drinks soya, rice, oat or hemp milk now and does much better on it.

MaryP0p1 · 16/04/2007 21:57

My son is 5 now and I'm going to take him back to ped because his nose is constantly snotty, to the point the nursery ask me for extra tissues because he's nose is soooo snotty. It is green but he is generally unaffected otherwise. I'm not sure what it could be really other than sinus problems. I thought he grow out of it but there's no sign as yet.

Ceebee74 · 16/04/2007 21:58

My DS (9 months) has also had this for nearly 3 months now.

It coincided with him starting at nursery so I have just assumed he is picking up loads of bugs but this thread has made me wonder if that is the case....

auntiflo · 17/04/2007 06:19

Not read through the answers so imagine someones been here, does he have much dairy in his diet? If so, try coming off it. Sheeps milk is delicious but expensive(powdered is cheaper) Goats is very strong. Try soya sweetened with applejuice and ricedream, you'll find something he'll like, give it at least 3 weeks, bet you see a change!
My ds - 12 came off dairy when he was 3 and has never looked back, if he does on occasion he's really phlegmy.

Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 17/04/2007 20:04

Well I got a course of ABs so we shall see what that does. Doc was still not worried about it and doesn't think it's anything related to a dairy allergy (she also said they are overdiagnosed) because his stools and digestive system are absolutely fine and he's hea;thy otherwise. Here's hoping I can ditch my pockets of snotrags

OP posts:
Original poster
VoluptuaGoodshag · 23/04/2007 20:39

Quick update for those interested - has been on the ABs almost a week and the snot has virtually cleared up - hooray!

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