Tweet
I have a child who about every other month it seems, gets a bad runny nose. The runny nose is a constant flow, (and I mean constant!) greenish, and lasts about two weeks. The parents are blind to it and don't seem to care. She spreads her germs everywhere because her mouth is always open and her fingers are also always in her month. Every time this happens everyone else gets sick, but has anyone else had this problem? I have mentioned to them that they should talk to the doctor about it. Is that sort of runny nose normal?? I just don't know what to do. Thank you!
-
-
If I were in your shoes, I would stop worrying about why the child has the runny nose (let her parents figure that part out) and just do what YOU need to do to keep your environment sanitary and as germ free as possible.
First thing I would do when I noticed a runny nose is mention to the parent to make sure child is getting the right amount of sleep and good healthy meals/snacks to ensure her good health to be able to fight off whatever she has going on.
I also allow children here with colored nasal discharge but if they have the runny nose after 5 days with NO improvement, I require a doctors visit to make sure they don't have some other underlying issue or illness that can be spread to others.
I would also have the parents work on getting the child to be able to wipe her own nose and blow into a tissue too.
If the snot gets to the point that it is so bad that I cannot maintain a sanitary environment for the others I will send the child home and request they stay home until symptoms are gone or improved enough so that there isn't snot everywhere.
How old is the child? -
Thank you so much! your reply really helps, I have been having such a hard time with this and trying to decide what is right. She will be two in August. I can get her to blow in a tissue, but next time I look at her its there again! Her nose started running last Monday. Today her dad dropped her off and said she is much better, however, her nose has been constant today. Should I tell them today that she needs to go to a doctor and can't come back? Today is day 6.Comment
-
I would absolutely require a doctor's visit "just to be SURE" there isn't anything major going on...allergies etc.
Some kids really do just have a really runny nose ALL the time but if this little one is showing improvement here and there but still not seeing a doctor, I wouldn't feel bad asking that they bring her in.
Then what I would do is tell the parents that you want them to work with you in continuing to teach her about wiping her own nose and/or coming to you when her nose needs wiping. NO wiping on toys and clothes etc.
I would then tell mom and dad that (after her doctor's visit) that any time she gets a runny nose, you will allow it to go on for 5 days and if no improvement is shown for it to be clearing up, you will ask them to bring her back to the doctors to again make sure nothing is going on infection-wise.
I would also take the time to explain to the parents that it is essential that you keep your environment healthy and sanitary for EVERYONE and I am sure they wouldn't want their child playing with stuff that other kids got snot all over.
It is hard to deal with runny noses and littles because it can be so many things and again be nothing at all. It is just something you have to play case by case and yet still try to keep in mind that you are trying to minimize illness and germs for everyone.
I also understand that parents can't always take time off whenever their child gets a simple cold or runny nose but that is where parents need to have reliable back up and work with you in making sure their little one gets plenty of healthy foods and snacks and lots of rest.
Hang in there.....
Comment
-
Thank you thank you so very much!!!! Perfect. So would you tell them that they can't come back until they see a doctor? Or how do you handle that?Comment
-
Normally I don't allow them to come back until they have seen the doctor, but since this will be a new method of dealing with the constant runny nose for you, I would probably be a bit more lenient with the family and tell them that she can't return on Monday of next week unless they see a doctor.
That way they will have time to set up an appointment for her and rearrange their work schedules to get into the clinic.
If at any time this week, the runny nose gets worse or includes a fever, diarrhea or any other "off" behaviors from the child, I would send her home immediately and not allow her to return until she's seen the doctor.
Do you think the parents are giving any type of meds for this before dropping off?
When you require a doctor's visit, ask them to get a note from the doctor stating the child does NOT (or does) have anything.
Make sure you let them (the parents) know that you are NOT asking for the doctor to say the child can return to your care (as that is something only YOU should be able to decide) but that you are only asking for a diagnosis of what the child has. Or doesn't have.Comment
-
you are awesome!! I don't know if they give her meds lately, but I know they have before. Hard thing with this family is that my son I am sure of has pink eye (at the doctor right now to confirm) and I told this family that, but they still decided to drop her off! I have only had my daycare for a year, so I am so thankful for the help here!Comment
-
Well make sure you keep hanging around as we (members here) are definitely good at giving our advice and opinions!
Hoping you DS is ok and not feeling too terribly down. In the future a good rule to follow is to close for anything you don't want the DCK's exposed to as usually most parents if given the choice WILL still bring their kids, no matter what is going around at your house.
Trying to please all parents and maintain some sort of normal family life for yourself and your own family is a slippery slope to manage but just stand firm in your policies and make sure you enforce them. If you don't follow them, it's hard to convince parents to.
Sometimes it takes a high needs family to run you ragged in order for you to see the light and realize that families will ALWAYS do what's in their own best interests and you should as well. Nothing wrong with that from either daycare families or yourself....just easier to manage a daycare when you know that to be true.
Comment
-
My ped says that if its a viral cold to treat over the counter if necessary for 7 days. If by 7 days there is not major improvement it's gone from a regular cold to something like a secondary infectious process and needs to come to the doctor.
So require that of my parents too.Comment
-
Thank you! Great things to think about and remember! I will for sure hang out here, its so nice to have experienced advice. With your help, I got them to take her to the doctor today and she has a sinus infection, received antibiotics and said she will stay home for a few days. I feel so much more confident with a plan, and quite happy that I was right and was able to help the little one too!!Comment
Comment