Vasoconstrictors in Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children
Vasocontritors used for treating acute rhinitis in children provide an extremely rapid reduction of nasal mucosal swelling, restore nasal breathing, prevent stenosis of the draining ostia of the paranasal sinuses and preclude complications. A comparative assessment of their effects on the ciliary epithelium shows that Xylometazoline and Oxymetazoline preparations inhibit cilia to a lesser extent than Naphazoline and Tetryzoline; the preservative-free Oxymetazoline preparation has no negative effect on cilia. Regular irrigations of the nasal mucous membrane with saline isotonic solutions improve rhinorrhea and nasal congestion, decrease the amount of bacteria and viruses, and thus help prevent exacerbations. Isotonic solutions do not damage epithelial cells and do not inhibit vibratory motion of the cilia.