Runny Nose in Children

How Chinese medicine differentiates a runny nose in children into the five patterns described for it, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Nasal Discharge, Sneezing and Congested Nose pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Persistent one-sided, foul-smelling or bloody nasal discharge, or a runny nose with high fever, breathing difficulty or ear pain in a child, needs a paediatric assessment. Acupuncture in children is at most gentle and brief, or acupressure taught to a caregiver; no needling for very young children.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for a runny nose in children — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
L.I.-20	Expels exterior Wind. Opens the nose. Removes obstructions from the channel.
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.
LU-7	Promotes the descending and diffusing of Lung-Qi. Releases the Exterior and expels exterior Wind. Opens the Directing Vessel.

The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Wind-Cold View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Clear, watery nasal discharge; strong aversion to cold with shivering; no sweating; headache and body aches; prefers warm drinks; no thirst.

Tongue: Normal or slightly pale, thin white moist coat. Pulse: Floating and tight.

Treatment principle: Releases the Exterior, disperses Cold and unblocks the nose.

DU-14 ↓ LU-7 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓ L.I.-20 ↓

Note: gentle technique only in children; moxa is appropriate for the older child.

2. Wind-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Thick yellow or sticky discharge; fever worse than chills; red, sore throat; thirst for cold drinks; irritability and fussiness.

Tongue: Red tip and edges, thin yellow coat. Pulse: Floating and rapid.

Treatment principle: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears Heat and resolves toxin.

L.I.-4 ↓ LU-7 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓ L.I.-20 ↓

Note: no moxa.

3. Wind-Cold with Internal Heat

Clinical manifestations: Discharge changes from clear to thick yellow; severe chills with high fever; no sweating; irritability and restlessness; thirst or dry mouth.

Tongue: Red with a red tip, thin mixed white-and-yellow coat. Pulse: Floating, tight and rapid.

Treatment principle: Induces sweating and releases the Exterior, clears interior Heat and calms irritability.

DU-14 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ L.I.-20 ↓

Note: Mixed Cold/Heat. No matching deck slide for this combined external pattern — no pattern link is given here.

4. Summer-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Sticky, thick, glue-like discharge; heaviness and fatigue; poor appetite and nausea; fever with sweating that gives no relief; worse in hot, humid weather.

Tongue: Red with a redder tip, yellow greasy or sticky coat. Pulse: Rapid and soggy or slippery.

Treatment principle: Aromatically transforms Dampness, disperses Wind-Cold, regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.

L.I.-20 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓ REN-12 ⊥

Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Summer-Heat slide — no pattern link is given here.

5. Lung Qi Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Persistent clear, thin, watery discharge; pale or bright-white complexion; fatigue; low or weak voice; spontaneous daytime sweating; sensitivity to wind and cold.

Tongue: Pale, tender, possibly tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Weak overall, especially empty at the right front position.

Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi, secures the Exterior and stops sweating.

BL-13 ↑ ST-36 ↑ L.I.-20 ⊥

Note: moxa is appropriate for the older child.

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