Preschool and runny noses

Kevan & Karina have had a bit of a cold for a few days. No fever, just runny noses -- and, just barely runny at that. They're acting fine. So, I didn't think to keep them home from preschool today.

Their teacher mentioned that Kevan's nose was "turning colors" today, though, and that I should keep an eye on it and not send him tomorrow if it still looks like that. I really like this woman, but I have no idea what she's talking about. It looks like a standard clear runny nose to me.

Anyhow. We usually only do homeopathic cold medicines and immune boosters -- I've been giving the kids extra vitamin C tablets, echinacea, Sinupret, and some Oscillo when I first noticed they were sniffling, in case it was flu. They seem to feel fine.

But, now I'm wondering if I should try some Sudafed or something OTC to keep his nose from running for the four hours he goes to preschool. What do you think? What works best? I know Benadryl will help, but I don't want to knock him out. Or, should I really keep him home tomorrow for this?

(As an aside, if a runny nose is yellowish or greenish, does that automatically mean infection or something nastier than a normal cold? I haven't seen it yet, but since the teacher mentioned it...)

 

According to my pediatrician, color doesn't mean anything. My doctor told me that a green runny nose, simply means it has been sitting in the body longer, and the proteins have built up--basically a stuffy nose that has started to run. From my personal experience, a runny nose didn't mean anything. Jon's nose ran from the time he was 4 months old until he was 3 years, 1 month, and 2 weeks--the day his tonsils came out. As long as there aren't any symptoms beyond a runny nose, I don't see any reason not to send them.

 

I wouldnt keep him home either for a runny nose and I wouldnt give him anything to dry him up either. Seriously, preschool should be used to runny noses. :gah:

 

I'm also a bit bemused about what the teacher meant with 'turning colors'. All colds start with a clear runny nose which then, after a couple of days becomes yellow or green. Here's a quote from the Center for Disease Control and Protection:

If your kids know how to wipe their noses (better yet, blow their noses) then I don't see a reason to give them a decongestant. I think they're trying to discourage their use in the under-6's in England, maybe even in the USA, as they haven't been proved to be effective with this age group (or something, I don't remember the exact details, sorry).

 

I agree. Keeping a kid home for just a runny nose is ridiculous IMO.

Also I agree with Sharon that the colour their nose is running does not indicate if they have an infection or not. I actually did some research on that shortly after I joined these forums because I saw a few people mention it (that green/yellow snot ment an infection) and it was something I'd not heard before.

I hope the teacher/preschool doesn't give you a hard time about it.

 

Same thoughts here.

 

What is the school's official policy? I wouldn't keep them home just for a runny nose. If they are lethargic, had a cough, or were miserable I would, but for a plain old runny nose, nope.

 

If I were you, I would find out exactly what your preschool's illness policy is. The teachers are understandably on edge about sickness, but unless it says "no yellow snot," you should not have to keep him home for what you're sure is a garden-variety cold. Goodness, there were kids in our daycare class who had constantly runny/snotty noses for about 2 years.

It's never pleasant to have to argue with a teacher about that sort of thing, but it can help you stand firm if you know that you're within the rules.

 

I have heard the same thing here. About the effectiveness of cold medicene in kids under age 6. However, here is what the FDA is actually saying according to the consumer info. they printed June 2009.

"FDA recommends that OTC cough and cold medicines not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age. Giving these products to these children can cause serious and potentially
life-threatening side effects.
The serious adverse events reported with cough and cold products include death, convulsions, rapid heart rates, and decreased levels of consciousness.FDA knows of reports of serious side effects from OTC cough and cold medicines in children 2 to 11 years of age, but we haven’t completed our review of information about the safety of these products in children of this age."

As far as sending to daycare....I agree with other pp's. Check the policy...that way you know your in the right. As long as he is fever free, I don't see what the big deal is.

 

I agree, to find out what the policy is on sickness. But for a clear runny nose, I would not keep them home.

 

I agree I wouldn't keep them home for just a runny nose, no matter what color it is. Seriously, where do they think your kids picked up the cold in the first place? Unless they have a fever, a bad cough, or feel really bad, I would send them to school. Some kids will keep a runny nose all winter, preschools should be accustomed to that.

 

I don't keep mine home with any type of runny nose...thats crazy!

 

If I kept a child home for a runny nose, nobody would go to school from mid Sept to April! I agree with pp that said unless there is a fever, horrendous cough or overall doesn't feel well, send him on! I know everybody is spazzed out about OMG the swine flu, a runny nose is no big deal. You'd think a preschool teacher would know that preschoolers are covered with snot! :slap:

 

I would probably saline his nose out very thoroughly in the morning (something I also do for myself when I am sick). That might help to clear his nose and reduce the drainage for a little while (long enough for him to not look "sick" at school).

 

I sent my boy in this morning. We're still charting temps as advised by the government. He had 36.8 degrees (very normal temp). They said he wasn't really himself and that he had a little bit of fever later this morning. He had 37.9 degrees when I temped him at lunch, which is like 99, barely 100F. He ate normally, drank but he did pass out in his bed. He usually has this when the cold starts, then he's fine 24 hours later, and then he just continues to have a runny nose. If I need to keep my kids home for runny noses they would be home quite a bit. Although with swine flu in a very very dense area, they are super cautious here. Anyway, if he has more then 37.5C (99.5F) tomorrow morning he isn't allowed at school to begin with.

We'll see!