Teething and Runny Nose
We associate a runny nose with the common cold but yes, it also affects teething babies as well. If your own little man or lady is teething then expect them to present you with a snuffly appearance. A runny nose is often a sign of something else so don't rule out the fact that this may be caused by an infection.
When to expect a runny nose
A runny nose which occurs due to teething usually develops a short period of time before the teeth break through. Consider it a precursor of what is to come. Your baby may get a runny nose each time a tooth pushes through but on the other hand, he/she may only develop a runny nose from certain types of teeth. This may be a case of too much information but a baby's nose should run clear during this time. The mucus (yes, we shall use the proper medical term) is transparent and is similar to water from a tap.
This is a good analogy to use when you stop to consider that your baby will have liquid running from their mouth. Your little one will be drooling to excess and this combined with a runny nose means a very messy baby indeed! Note: if your baby's runny nose is anything but clear, e.g. green or yellow then this is a sign that he or she has a cold. Your baby will have a nose like a constantly running tap so make sure that you have plenty of 'wet ones' or baby wipes to hand.
Could a runny nose be a sign of an allergy?
Yes. The reason for asking this is that the symptoms of an allergy are similar to those for a cold or even those experienced during teething.
Examples of these include:
- Constant sniffing
- Permanently running nose
- Skin rash especially around the nose and mouth
- Dry cough
These are the classic signs of a nasal allergy. But they are also symptoms of teething so it is easy to confuse the two.
How can you tell if these are an allergy or teething? If your baby has these symptoms plus a fever, itchy watery eyes and is sneezing then there is a good chance that he/she has an allergy. Contact your GP for further advice.
