7-Jul-08 4:15 PM CST

All About Nose Drops, Sprays, and Inhalers

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Infant Nasal Drops:

The following list of instructions will help you properly administer nasal drops to an infant:

Wash your hands before giving the medicine.
Using a suction bulb, clear the baby's nose. Ask your pharmacist or pediatrician on the proper method for suctioning an infant's nose.
Warm the medicine to room temperature if it is cold.
Place the infant lying down in your arms with his head tilted back.
Draw up enough medicine into the dropper so the correct number of drops can be given.
Without touching the dropper to the nose, insert the dropper slightly (about one-third of an inch) into the nostril.
Aim dropper toward the back of the nostril and squeeze the prescribed number of drops from the dropper.
Repeat on the other side if the other nostril needs medicine.
After the drops have been given, tell the child to keep his head tilted back for 5 minutes. Allow the child to spit out any medicine that runs down his throat.
If the child coughs, place him upright. Keep him upright and watch for any problems with breathing or excessive coughing. If this occurs, call the pediatrician immediately.

Nasal Drops for the Older Child:

The following list of instructions will help you to properly administer nasal drops to an older child:

Wash your hands before giving the medicine.
Have the child gently blow his nose if he is able.
Smaller children (toddler age) should lie on their back with a small pillow between their shoulders. Tilt head back over top of the pillow. Older children can sit in an upright position with their heads tilted back.
Warn the child that he may taste the medicine drops.
Warm the medicine to room temperature if it is cold.
Draw up enough medicine into the dropper so the correct number of drops can be given.
Push up gently on the tip of the child's nose.
Without touching the dropper to the nose, insert the dropper slightly into the nostril (about one-third of an inch).
Instruct the child to breathe through his mouth while the medicine is being placed into the nose.
Aim the dropper toward the back of the nostril and squeeze out the prescribed number of drops.
Repeat the above steps if the other nostril needs medicine.
Tell the child to keep his head tilted back for 5 minutes. Allow him to spit out any medicine that runs down his throat.
If the child coughs, place him upright and watch for any problems with breathing or excessive coughing. If either of these should occur, call the pediatrician immediately!

NASAL SPRAY:

The following list of instructions will help you to properly administer nasal spray to your child:

Have the child gently blow his nose if able. An infant suction bulb can be used for infants.
Have the child sit upright with head tilted back
Plug one nostril with your finger.
Place the tip of the sprayer slightly (about one-half inch) into the other nostril.
While pointing the sprayer straight back, have the child hold his breath.
Squeeze the sprayer quickly and firmly.
The child should continue to hold his breath for several seconds.
Remove sprayer from nose and allow child to exhale through his mouth.
Repeat above steps if more sprays are prescribed, or if the other nostril needs medicine.
Have the child keep his head tilted back for at least 2 minutes and avoid blowing nose during this time.
Rinse the tip of the sprayer with warm tap water before replacing the cap.

NASAL INHALER:

The following list of instructions will help you to properly utilize a nasal inhaler with your child:

Have the child gently blow his nose if able. An infant suction bulb can be used for infants.
Shake the inhaler well and remove the protective cap.
Place the tip of the inhaler inside the child's nostril (see above picture).
While the child holds his breath, firmly press down on the top of the inhaler and then release.
Have the child hold his breath for at least 3 more seconds.
Remove the inhaler from the child's nose and have him exhale through his mouth.
Repeat the above steps if more sprays are prescribed or if the other nostril needs medicine.
Tell child not to blow his nose for at least 2 minutes after the last spray.