Infant with Runny Nose for 9 days

[Personal Chef]

Is it normal for a baby to have a runny nose this long? My son is almost a year old and has never had a runny nose before (not even with teething) so I assumed it was a cold. So far he's had no other symptoms for the past 9 days except a runny nose. I've been giving him PediaCare decongestant as it's the only thing I could find that doesn't have a bunch of other medicines that he doesn't need. I've been slathering him with Vicks and using a menthol vaporizer at night.

Is there another medicine out there that would work better than a decongestant? By the way, there is no such thing as medicine for only a runny nose. I've looked everywhere. I called the nurse today re this but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks for your help.

[HeatherTx]

Is it a clear runny nose or has it turned cloudy at all? Is it crusty when he wakes up?

If it is clear and has gone on this long do you think it could be allergies? Do you have a history of allergies in your families?

Sounds like you are doing everything right. I am just trying to help you brainstorm.

Did your son by any chance just change to whole milk now that he is a year or are you nursing?

My kids never really had runny noses with teething UNTIL they cut molars at around a year. Is he cutting molars?

Hopefully the nurse will have some suggestions for you! Hope he feels better soon.

[sneezles]

Is the mucus clear/white or is it yellow/green? Clear/white means no infection but yellow/green means there is an infection. Is it possible he could have allergies, as in airborne?
If it is a common cold then it can take up to 14 days to recover from it. We always use the theory "10 days coming, 10 days here, 10 days leaving" ; seems like a long time but sometimes you aren't really aware of the first 10 days. I never used decongestants but then my guys refused to take most medicines.

[Personal Chef]

Thanks for your replies.

The mucus has been clear/white with little coagulation (for lack of a better term). It seems to stay up high in his nose as when he takes a deep breath I can hear the mucus being sucked up yet when I look inside his nose it's generally clear.

He had a few mornings where he woke up with mucus dried on his nose.

I have switched him to "people food" instead of Stage 3. But I can't think of anything significantly different from the baby food that would cause a reaction. I haven't given him whole milk yet. Just cheese now and then.

I have terrible environmental allergies. So if he were reacting to allergens in the air I could only assume I would too and I have not had any problems.

[RunnerKim]

My daughter is almost a year (tomorrow!) and she's had a runny nose for about that length of time. They can last forver it seems. Colds are going around. Unfortunately it looks like the start of the cold/flu season. Not sure any medication will help, just has to run its course. If your son is having problems at night you could slightly elevate his mattress to help with drainage. A humidifier can also really help. Unfortunately I've had several colds & resipiratory viruses to learn from in the past year.

Hope he kicks it soon.

Kim

[Personal Chef]

Thanks for all the advice. The nurse said that it's probably a cold since he's had the runny nose for so long. I was told to stop putting Vicks on him and to use the vapor cream lotion; use a cold mist humidifier and to not give him the decongestant during the day because of side effects. If he's not better by Saturday then I need to bring him in to be checked out.

Oh well, I guess no quick fixes. Again I appreciate all the help.