16-Month Old Toddler, Constant Runny Nose

[MIGrandma]

It's been so many years since my kids were toddlers, but I honestly do not remember either of them having a constantly runny nose.

My little granddaughter's nose runs constantly. Her parents say it's teething. Does a child teeth for weeks and weeks?

Couldn't it be allergies? Maybe to their housecat? She rubs her eyes a lot too, I wonder if they are itchy to her.

If she were my child I'd be talking to the pediatrician about it. I would think they could give her something (benedryl?) to dry it up a little.

I'm babysitting this afternoon and I know I'll go through a couple dozen kleenexes, chasing her around the house wiping her runny little nose.

 

[daughtersrus]

It's been so many years since my kids were toddlers, but I honestly do not remember either of them having a constantly runny nose.

My little granddaughter's nose runs constantly. Her parents say it's teething. Does a child teeth for weeks and weeks?

Couldn't it be allergies? Maybe to their housecat? She rubs her eyes a lot too, I wonder if they are itchy to her.

If she were my child I'd be talking to the pediatrician about it. I would think they could give her something (benedryl?) to dry it up a little.

I'm babysitting this afternoon and I know I'll go through a couple dozen kleenexes, chasing her around the house wiping her runny little nose.

Is it clear?

I'm no expert but I would say that it sounds like allergies to me.

 

[golfgal]

I would say allergies, mostly likely some kind of pollen vs the cat but it could be the cat. Chances are that she isn't allergic "enough" for anything to show up on allergy tests but that doesn't mean she doesn't have them. I wouldn't give her any benedryl or any meds without consulting with her dr though.

 

[MIGrandma]

Is it clear?

I'm no expert but I would say that it sounds like allergies to me.

Yes, it's clear.

I would say allergies, mostly likely some kind of pollen vs the cat but it could be the cat. Chances are that she isn't allergic "enough" for anything to show up on allergy tests but that doesn't mean she doesn't have them. I wouldn't give her any benedryl or any meds without consulting with her dr though.

Oh, I wouldn't give her anything. I don't even give her food or juice that hasn't been okayed by her parents. But if she were my child I would definitely be speaking to the doctor about it, to see if there was anything she could have that would help.

 

[Christine]

Sounds like allergies. I guess I've heard that they can get a runny nose with teethy, but I thought it was more of feeling run down, low grade fever, and drooling.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have bad seasonal allergies, as do most of my kids. Actually, most kids I know have them. Only 2 were tested, and I give 4 of them zertec every night. If it's only in the spring, I would rule out the cat (ds12 and I are very allergic to cats). Benedryl really makes us all very tired.

 

[golfgal]

I have bad seasonal allergies, as do most of my kids. Actually, most kids I know have them. Only 2 were tested, and I give 4 of them zertec every night. If it's only in the spring, I would rule out the cat (ds12 and I are very allergic to cats). Benedryl really makes us all very tired.

This brings up another point, my kids might as well drink water for all the good Zyrtec does them so you may give her an allergy med that doesn't do any good for her and it appears then that it isn't allergies. My dog, now, does GREAT with Benadryl .

 

[ZachnElli]

Sounds like allergies. My oldest was like that at that age and I ended up getting him tested at 6 years and he was allergic to just about everything outside. We did allergy shots and he still takes Zyrtec (well, generic Zyrtec).

 

[bumbershoot]

When I was little, clear runny stuff from my nose was indicative that I really shouldn't be eating eggs. When we didn't have them in our diet, my nose was dry. When we did, there went the nose.

 

[wvjules]

It's been so many years since my kids were toddlers, but I honestly do not remember either of them having a constantly runny nose.

My little granddaughter's nose runs constantly. Her parents say it's teething. Does a child teeth for weeks and weeks?

Couldn't it be allergies? Maybe to their housecat? She rubs her eyes a lot too, I wonder if they are itchy to her.

If she were my child I'd be talking to the pediatrician about it. I would think they could give her something (benedryl?) to dry it up a little.

I'm babysitting this afternoon and I know I'll go through a couple dozen kleenexes, chasing her around the house wiping her runny little nose.

Yes, it's clear.



Oh, I wouldn't give her anything. I don't even give her food or juice that hasn't been okayed by her parents. But if she were my child I would definitely be speaking to the doctor about it, to see if there was anything she could have that would help.

But she's not your child. Maybe they have asked the doctor and the doctor says it teething. Maybe they haven't. But its their decision either way. I'm guessing they do or don't do a lot of things you would do if "it were my child".

And yes, children can teeth for weeks at a time.

 

[Laura]

But she's not your child. Maybe they have asked the doctor and the doctor says it teething. Maybe they haven't. But its their decision either way. I'm guessing they do or don't do a lot of things you would do if "it were my child".

And yes, children can teeth for weeks at a time.

I agree. As DD's doctor says, they don't call them snot-nosed kids for nothing. I'm assuming the little girl is getting regular pediatrician visits? If so, I wouldn't worry about it.

Runny noses seems to be pretty universal among DD's friends in daycare these past few months (she's 15 months old)--pollen's been extra heavy this year. I'm not allergic myself, but it's been enough to irritate even me! A lot of what people think are allergies are just irritants. You get enough of them and you get rhinitis.

 

[itsheresomewhere]

My DD ran a nice clear runny nose when teething so don't worry. Ny niece drooled for two people when she was.

 

[MIGrandma]

But she's not your child. Maybe they have asked the doctor and the doctor says it teething. Maybe they haven't. But its their decision either way. I'm guessing they do or don't do a lot of things you would do if "it were my child".

And yes, children can teeth for weeks at a time.

Thank you for pointing out she is not my child.

And no, they have not asked the doctor about it.

 

[Mommy2Abby]

Sounds like allergies to me as well. My DD started suffering with them the spring that she turned 1...constant runny nose, itching her face/eyes/hands, etc.

My pediatrician blew me off that first spring, continuing to tell me it was all viral. It wasn't until she ate peanut butter and swelled up like a balloon that we took her to an allergist and had her tested. As it turns out, in addition to her food allergies (peanut and egg) she also has seasonal allergies to pollen and mold.

The allergist told me that kids constantly itching at their eyes/nose/face is a good indicator of allergies. DD now takes Zyrtec everyday and that seems to help a lot. We still have a runny nose at this time of year (and this year has been particularly bad), it does keep things under control.

In addition to medication, the other thing our allergist suggested and we have found helps immensely is trying to limit DD's exposure to the things that are irritating. So, in addition to the obvious limiting her outdoor time on days when the pollen count is really high, we also make sure she gets washed down really good when she comes inside (hands, face, any exposed skin) and she gets a bath every night before bed. We NEVER let her sleep or nap in her bed with clothes on that have been outside to try to limit the allergens that get deposited in her room/bed.

I'm mentioning all fo that because while you certainly can't medicate her without having her see a doctor and without her parents permission, you can try to limit the exposure to the allergens. It might help...it might not. Good luck. I hope she finds some relief soon, no matter if it's allergies or teething. Neither one is fun to deal with!

 

[vgrandy]

Does it ever stop for more then a day? Has it been going on for several months? Does she have her mouth often most of the time? Does she snore? If most of those answers are yes (except the first) you might want to have her checked by an ENT for enlarged adenoids and tonsils

 

[MIGrandma]

Sounds like allergies to me as well. My DD started suffering with them the spring that she turned 1...constant runny nose, itching her face/eyes/hands, etc.

My pediatrician blew me off that first spring, continuing to tell me it was all viral. It wasn't until she ate peanut butter and swelled up like a balloon that we took her to an allergist and had her tested. As it turns out, in addition to her food allergies (peanut and egg) she also has seasonal allergies to pollen and mold.

The allergist told me that kids constantly itching at their eyes/nose/face is a good indicator of allergies. DD now takes Zyrtec everyday and that seems to help a lot. We still have a runny nose at this time of year (and this year has been particularly bad), it does keep things under control.

In addition to medication, the other thing our allergist suggested and we have found helps immensely is trying to limit DD's exposure to the things that are irritating. So, in addition to the obvious limiting her outdoor time on days when the pollen count is really high, we also make sure she gets washed down really good when she comes inside (hands, face, any exposed skin) and she gets a bath every night before bed. We NEVER let her sleep or nap in her bed with clothes on that have been outside to try to limit the allergens that get deposited in her room/bed.

I'm mentioning all fo that because while you certainly can't medicate her without having her see a doctor and without her parents permission, you can try to limit the exposure to the allergens. It might help...it might not. Good luck. I hope she finds some relief soon, no matter if it's allergies or teething. Neither one is fun to deal with!

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it. Her mother (my DD) has seasonal allergies, so that's why I was wondering about it since the runny nose has gone on for such a long time. And with her rubbing her eyes so often, it just makes me think they must itch and bother her for her to be doing that. We do live in the country, lots of pollen from the flowering trees and bushes in the spring. Oh, I would never ever give her any medication on my own, never in a million years. But I may ask DD if they have considered allergies, and see what she says about it today. I just want to put a teeny tiny little bucket under her nose so I don't have to constantly be wiping it with a tissue.

 

[curlybop]

I also think it is seasonal allergies. Even adults are having a difficult time this year with all of the pollen. I would suggest they ask the ped about using saline spray. It helps clear irritants from the nose and isn't addictive like a regular nasal spray.

 

[marcyinPA]

I'm a preschool teacher of 2 year olds, and we have a few classes full of runny-nosed little kids! From my own personal experience, doctors are hesitant to diagnose allergies at that age. My own youngest son had awful seasonal "issues" but it wasn't until he turned three that we got anywhere with the drs. Also, there are very few meds that are available for that age group anyway.

I've always gone by the understanding that clear is OK, but green or yellow is not. You'd be amazed at how many parents send their children to preschool with green or yellow snot bubbling out of their nose. I'm amazed that I'm not sick all the time!

 

[kirstenb1]

My girls would be red-cheeked and snotty-nosed when they were teething. They tended to cut several teeth at once, so it did last a long time.

I had allergy testing done when our older dd was 10. I wouldn't consider putting a smaller child through that unless it was a very severe reaction. Several hours and many needle pricks, not fun.

 

[MIGrandma]

I also think it is seasonal allergies. Even adults are having a difficult time this year with all of the pollen. I would suggest they ask the ped about using saline spray. It helps clear irritants from the nose and isn't addictive like a regular nasal spray.

That might be helpful. Actually she is much better today! We have had a lot of rain lately, so that would be keeping the pollen down. So if she does have seasonal allergies, the lack of pollen in the air would be the reason her nose isn't running today. Either that, or she's done teething for awhile.