Question
Does frequent runny nose and saliva in children mean they are deficient in iron or zinc?
Answer
Hello, it cannot be determined for sure. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a trace element test. Normal people secrete about hundreds of milliliters of mucus every day, but these mucus are carried in the direction of the nasal mucosal cilia to the posterior nares and pharynx, plus evaporation and drying, and usually, they are not seen flowing out of the nostrils. Children have richer blood vessels in the nasal mucosa than adults, and more secretions, plus the nervous system has not yet fully developed the regulatory function for nasal mucosal secretion and cilial movement. Children are also not good at wiping their own nose, so they often have clear runny nose, which is a normal physiological phenomenon and there is no need to worry. However, if a child has two lines of mucus hanging from the nostrils all day or discharges purulent yellow-green mucus, this is a pathological manifestation. Children who have long-term purulent yellow-green mucus may have sinusitis. Children who often have white mucus may be deficient in Vitamin A and Vitamin B, and treatment with these vitamins can show effectiveness. Allergies to inhaled dust can cause a large amount of clear mucus to flow in a short time. Some children with foreign objects in their nasal cavity also often have runny nose. It is worth noting that some children with enlarged lymphadenopathy in the nasopharynx also often have runny nose, but they also have symptoms such as severe snoring, dull facial features, and narrow nose, which may seriously affect growth and posture. Treatment should be sought promptly.