A child in the Leningrad region was hospitalized after an incident involving medicine dropped into the nose to treat a runny nose. This report comes from Fontanka and highlights a serious safety lapse that can happen in households when over‑the‑counter remedies are used without fully considering age appropriateness.
The boy, who turned one year old in August, was admitted to the Vsevolozhsk hospital after his parents attempted to treat his cold with a nasal product meant to relieve congestion. The medication in question is not suitable for children of his age, and even small doses can pose health risks. This case underscores the importance of consulting pediatric dosing guidelines and medical professionals before using any nasal sprays or drops on very young children.
According to family reports, the child began exhibiting sneezing a few hours before the hospital visit. When his runny nose appeared, his parents applied a popular decongestant drop containing an imidazoline-derived ingredient into his nostrils. Shortly afterward, the infant began to sweat, grew pale, and stopped responding appropriately to stimuli, prompting urgent medical attention.
Medical staff diagnosed the child with moderate injuries resulting from the inappropriate administration of the medication. The drug used is contraindicated for children under two years old at the minimum dose, and higher doses pose additional risks even for older children and teenagers. The hospital administration and healthcare professionals emphasized that age-appropriate dosing is critical and that caregivers should never estimate doses based on adult usage or experience a child’s reaction without professional guidance.
Experts emphasize that nasal decongestants commonly contain active ingredients that can affect blood pressure, heart rate, and neurological function in very young children. When these medicines are given without medical supervision, the risk of adverse effects increases. Pediatric health guidelines consistently advise that parents seek alternative, age‑appropriate approaches to manage mild colds in infants and toddlers, including saline nasal drops, gentle suctioning, adequate fluids, and comfort measures. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is essential to contact a pediatrician promptly to determine whether a safe treatment option exists for the child’s specific age and health status.
In many regions, products formulated for adults or older children are not suitable for infants, and even products marketed for older kids may carry warnings against use in younger ages. This incident highlights the need for clear labeling, diligent reading of dosing instructions, and careful supervision by caregivers when administering any medicinal product to a young child. Health authorities often remind families to store medications securely away from children and to keep pediatric dosing information readily available to prevent similar situations in the future. The importance of informed decision-making and cautious use of over-the-counter remedies cannot be overstated in households with infants and toddlers. _Additional context and guidance are available from pediatric health resources and national poison control centers._
As a precaution, medical experts encourage caregivers to verify the age suitability of any nasal spray or drop before use, to measure doses accurately with the provided applicator or syringe, and to seek immediate medical advice if a child shows unusual sweating, pallor, lethargy, or unresponsiveness after administration. Early recognition of symptoms and rapid medical assessment can make a critical difference in outcomes for young patients. Parents are urged to postpone self-treatment in favor of professional consultation when dealing with infants who exhibit cold or flu symptoms, to reduce the risk of accidental overdose or adverse drug reactions. This case serves as a reminder that the safest path is guided medical care for the youngest patients, who require careful, age‑specific approaches to common illnesses.