The most common cause of nasal congestion in children is allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Food allergies are common among children and most kids outgrow a food allergy by the age of 5, according to KidsHealth. Nasal congestion is a common symptom of a food allergy that can be treated with natural remedies and over-the-counter medications. Talk with your doctor before giving your child any medication.
Pediatric Food Allergies
Food allergies are the most common among children and are typically related to eight primary foods. These foods include: milk, soy, eggs, wheat, fish, nuts, shellfish and peanuts, according to KidsHealth. During a food allergy, your child's immune system experiences a hypersensitivity to the proteins in certain foods. The immune system reacts to the food proteins as if they are dangerous and releases immunoglobulin E antibodies and histamine. Histamine causes inflammation in soft tissue throughout the body.
Nasal Congestion
Increased histamine in the sinus cavity leads to swelling, inflammation and irritation in the sinuses. Nasal congestion is the result of swollen nasal passages that prevents the child from breathing properly through her nose, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nasal congestion in children can cause behavioral problems because it causes uncomfortable symptoms, such as sinus pain, pressure in the ears, eyes and back of the neck and can lead to a slight fever. Nasal congestion should be evaluated by your doctor if it persists for more than two weeks.
Avoidance
In order to properly treat your child's condition, you need to see an allergist to determine which foods your child is allergic to. MayoClinic.com states that avoiding foods that your child is allergic to is the most effective way to prevent and treat food allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion. Your doctor may use skin tests to diagnose and identify which foods your child is allergic to. Skin tests take a small amount of the allergen and place it on the child's skin to see if it causes the skin to become inflamed.
Treatment
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends elevating your child's head while he sleeps, use saline nose drops, run a humidifier and keep your child hydrated with increased liquid intake. Your doctor may recommend the use of a decongestant and pain reliever, depending on your child's age and severity of congestion.
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