1 Has your child had a runny or blocked nose for more than 1 month?

2 Does your child have a clear, watery discharge from both nostrils?

3 Are your child's eyes itchy?

4 Does your child have a green or yellow discharge from the nose?

5 Is the discharge from one nostril only?

6

Possible cause Your child may have enlarged adenoids (see Tonsils and adenoids). This is common in children and is often the result of an infection or allergies. Consult your doctor.

Action Your doctor will examine your child and may arrange for hearing tests as enlarged adenoids can cause hearing difficulties. The adenoids shrink as a child grows and are rarely a problem after the age of 8. In some cases, anti-allergy drugs may help. If the symptoms are severe, your doctor may refer your child to a specialist to see whether it is necessary to remove the adenoids.

7

Possible cause Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is a possibility. This condition is caused by an allergy to pollen and usually occurs in the spring or the summer.

Action If possible, keep your child inside when the pollen count is high, and keep him or her away from areas of long grass. Oral antihistamine drugs may help and are available over the counter. If these measures do not help, consult your doctor.

8

Possible cause A common cold or other viral infection is probably the cause.

Action Follow the self-help measures for treating a child with a cold. If your child has a fever, take steps to reduce it (see Bringing down a fever). Your child's symptoms should begin to improve after a few days. If they do not or if your child develops other symptoms, consult your doctor.

9

Possible cause A foreign body, such as a bead or a peanut, may be lodged in your child's nose and may have caused an infection. Consult your doctor.

Action Never try to remove a foreign body from your child's nose yourself, because you may only force it further into the nose. Your doctor may be able to remove the obstruction. However, if the foreign body is difficult to reach, your child may need to be admitted to hospital for a minor operation under general anaesthetic to remove it. The infection should then clear up by itself, but in some cases antibiotics are needed to treat it.

10

Possible cause A common cold or other viral infection is probably the cause.

Action Follow the self-help measures for treating a child with a cold. If your child has a fever, take steps to reduce it (see Bringing down a fever). Your child's symptoms should begin to improve after a few days. If they do not or if your child develops other symptoms, consult your doctor.

11

Consult your doctor if you are unable to make a diagnosis from this chart.