Snotty children

About snotty children

As a paediatric ENT surgeon, I often see children with persistent nasal discharge — the classic “snotty nose” that many parents and nursery staff are all too familiar with. In the UK, it’s a common sight in nurseries and pre-schools, especially during the colder months.

While it can look unpleasant and be a source of frustration, most children with a runny nose are otherwise well. In fact, young children can have up to 10 colds a year, and each one may last a week or more. Most children are not bothered by a snotty nose.

That said, if the discharge is persistent, foul-smelling, or accompanied by other symptoms like nasal blockage, snoring or hearing loss, it’s worth exploring further.

What causes a very snotty nose?

Most snotty noses are caused by viral infections, especially in children under five. These usually settle on their own. However, if the discharge is ongoing or particularly troublesome, we consider other causes:

Allergic rhinitis — triggered by pollen, dust mites, pets or mould. This often causes clear, watery discharge, sneezing and itchy eyes.
Enlarged adenoids — can block drainage and lead to persistent nasal discharge and congestion.
Chronic rhinosinusitis — less common in children, but may cause thick, discoloured mucus lasting more than 12 weeks and is usually associated with nasal blockage and a chronic cough.

If your child’s nose is always running, or they’re mouth-breathing, snoring or struggling with sleep, it’s worth having their nose and adenoids assessed.

If your child is getting frequent ear infections requiring antibiotics and/or has hearing concerns it is very important to see an ENT specialist.

Diagnosis

When I see your child in clinic, I’ll begin by asking about the pattern of symptoms — how long the discharge has lasted, whether it’s seasonal, and if there are any associated issues like sneezing, itching, or blocked ears.

I’ll examine your child’s nose and throat gently and may use a flexible naso-endoscope to look at the nasal passages and adenoids.
If allergies are suspected, I may recommend allergy testing or refer to a paediatric allergy specialist.
In some cases, we’ll consider whether the discharge is linked to chronic sinus inflammation or adenoiditis.

Getting a clear diagnosis helps us decide whether simple measures are enough, or if further treatment is needed.

Getting a clear diagnosis early allows us to plan the right support — whether that’s monitoring, medical treatment or hearing technology.

Treatments

Most snotty noses don’t need antibiotics — especially if your child is otherwise well. Instead, we focus on gentle, effective treatments to reduce symptoms and improve comfort. First of all you could try:

Saline nasal sprays or rinses (such as Sterimar) to loosen mucus and make nose-blowing easier
Encouraging regular nose-blowing

If symptoms persist, we may try:

Topical steroid nasal sprays — to reduce inflammation of the lining of the nose, especially in allergic rhinitis
Antihistamines — oral or nasal, if allergy is suspected
Allergen avoidance — such as reducing exposure to dust mites or pet dander

If adenoids are enlarged, I may consider adenoidectomy. Removing enlarged adenoids can improve both nasal drainage and airflow, especially in children with recurrent infections and very snotty noses. Click here to read about enlarged adenoids.

Make an Enquiry

If your child has a constantly runny nose, especially if it’s affecting their sleep, hearing or comfort, I can help. As a paediatric ENT specialist, I’ll assess their nasal passages, adenoids and allergy history — and guide you through the most effective treatment options. A clear nose can make a big difference to your child’s wellbeing.

Click here to make an enquiry.