If your child has a runny nose, or is feeling congested, you may assume that they’re sick. While having a runny nose can be a symptom of many different illnesses like colds and even the flu, it also can be caused by other conditions. This article will review common causes of a runny nose and tips for diagnosing your child’s symptoms.
If your child is feeling under the weather, walk into AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst. Our walk-in urgent care clinic is available 7 days a week to provide convenient same-day care for patients of all ages. Don’t wait for an appointment to open up with your pediatrician; walk into AFC Lyndhurst for rapid care! We accept walk-ins daily, or you can schedule your visit in advance using the button below.
What Causes a Runny Nose in Children?
Colds
Once the weather cools down, we tend to see an increased presence in viral infections like colds. This is because the back-to-school season exposes your child to close contact with others, which can easily allow a virus to spread. Colds are a common cause of mild symptoms like runny noses, however, they often go away on their own with time. Treatment usually includes symptom management with OTC medications which target specific symptoms.
The Flu
The flu is a more severe viral infection which can spread quickly during the fall and winter seasons. Vaccinating your child against the flu will significantly decrease the odds of them getting seriously sick from the flu. However, symptoms can still include a fever, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, body aches, and chills.
Allergies
Fall allergies can be just as bad as summer and spring allergies. If your child is suffering from seasonal allergies in the fall, you may notice persistent symptoms like runny noses, itchy eyes, sore throats, and congestion. If these symptoms seem to linger longer than a week, your child likely has allergies, not an illness.
Should You Seek Medical Care If Your Child Has a Runny Nose?
If your child is experiencing a runny or snotty nose, don’t panic. Not all cases of a runny nose indicate a condition that requires immediate medical care. Be sure to monitor symptoms, and consider seeking medical care if their symptoms last more than a week, continue to worsen over time, or are accompanied by a fever.
Visit AFC Lyndhurst for Same-Day Pediatric Illness Care
Having a sick child can be stressful, however, a runny nose is not a major cause for concern in most cases. If you’re worried about your child’s symptoms and are looking for fast and convenient medical evaluation, walk into AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst! Our walk-in clinic can offer your family peace of mind. Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose and treat common ailments in children.
Our clinic is open 7 days a week, and we don’t require patients to schedule an appointment in advance. Just walk into the clinic when it’s convenient. We work with most medical insurance plans, and have affordable rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, give our team a call at (201) 345-3839.
