How to treat snoring and blocked nose in a 7 year old child?

This sounds like your son might have allergic rhinitis and likely swollen sinus turbinates and adenoids. He is snoring because of his blocked nasal passages and narrow airway.

He is likely a mouth breather that would aggravate the situation and narrow the airway further.

This can lead to obstructive sleep apnea and lack of oxygen at night, which in turn can lead to poor quality sleep, disruptive sleep and daytime tiredness, poor concentration and poorer school results. He would need an ENT consult and assessment soon.

Thank you for your question. It sounds like your son has Allergic Rhinitis (sensitive nose). To find out more about Allergic Rhinitis, please read my article on Allergic Rhinitis that was published in Human.

Allergic Rhinitis in children often results in a blocked nose and mouth breathing. In children below 8-10 years old, their tonsils (immune glands at the back of the throat) and adenoids (immune tissues at the back of the nose) are often big.

These, together with a blocked nose, can lead to upper airway blockage during sleep. This condition is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Children with OSA may present with loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, inability to concentrate in their studies and behavioural problems (e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). To find out more about OSA, do read my article on snoring & OSA that was published in Human.

I would strongly suggest bringing your son to an ENT Specialist for an assessment. A complete head & neck examination including a nasoendoscopy (relatively painless scope through the nose) will be required to assess the potential areas of narrowing in his upper airway. OSA in children are often due to a combination of blocked nose as well as enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

Hope this helps and all the best!