BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuNasal flaringFlaring of the alae nasi (nostrils); Nostrils - flaringNasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.Trouble breathingBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Considerations Nasal flaring is seen mostly in infants and younger children.Any condition that causes difficulty breathing can cause nasal flaring. Many causes of nasal flaring are not serious, but some can be life threatening.In young infants, nasal flaring can be a sign of respiratory distress. This is a serious lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood.Respiratory distressAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the bl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Nasal flaring may be caused by any of the following:Asthma flare-up AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blocked airway (any cause) Swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchiolitis) BronchiolitisBronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles). It is usually due to a viral infection....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Problem breathing and a barking cough (croup) CroupCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a "barking" cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen or inflamed tissue in the area that covers the windpipe (epiglottitis) EpiglottitisEpiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis. This is the tissue that covers the trachea (windpipe). Epiglottitis can be a life-threatening disea...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung problems, such as infection or long-term damage (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) Bronchopulmonary dysplasiaBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a long-term (chronic) lung condition that affects newborn babies who were either put on a breathing machine (vent...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing disorder in newborns (transient tachypnea of the newborn)Transient tachypnea of the newbornTransient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a breathing disorder seen shortly after delivery, most often in early term or late preterm babies. Transi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Seek emergency help right away if you or your child has signs of a breathing difficulty. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if:There is any persistent, unexplained nasal flaring, especially in a young child. Bluish color develops in the lips, nail beds, or skin. This is a sign that breathing difficulty is severe. It may mean that an emergency condition is developing. Bluish colorA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You think that your child is having trouble breathing. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms and medical history. Questions may include:When did the symptoms start? Are they getting better or worse? Is the breathing noisy, or are there wheezing sounds? WheezingWheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article What other symptoms are there, such as sweating or feeling tired? Do the muscles of the stomach, shoulders, or rib cage pull inward during breathing? Rib cage pull inward during breathingIntercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing probl...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The provider will listen carefully to the breath sounds. This is called auscultation.AuscultationAuscultation is listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests that may be done include:Arterial blood gas analysis Arterial blood gas analysisBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen level X-rays of the chestX-rays of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Oxygen may be given if there is a breathing problem.Open ReferencesReferencesRodrigues KK, Roosevelt GE. Acute inflammatory upper airway obstruction (croup, epiglottitis, laryngitis, and bacterial tracheitis). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 433.Rotta AT, Martin CJK, Sarnaik AP. Acute care of respiratory distress and failure. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 86.AllVideoImagesTogNasal flaring - illustration Nasal flaring may be an indication of breathing difficulty, or even respiratory distress in infants. Check for airway obstructions, and call a health care provider.Nasal flaringillustrationSense of smell - illustration The sense of smell is primarily a function of nervous tissues in the nasal cavity.Sense of smellillustrationNasal flaring - illustration Nasal flaring may be an indication of breathing difficulty, or even respiratory distress in infants. Check for airway obstructions, and call a health care provider.Nasal flaringillustrationSense of smell - illustration The sense of smell is primarily a function of nervous tissues in the nasal cavity.Sense of smellillustrationRelated Information Respiratory(Special Topic) Review Date: 4/17/2024 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Nasal flaringFlaring of the alae nasi (nostrils); Nostrils - flaringNasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.Trouble breathingBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Considerations Nasal flaring is seen mostly in infants and younger children.Any condition that causes difficulty breathing can cause nasal flaring. Many causes of nasal flaring are not serious, but some can be life threatening.In young infants, nasal flaring can be a sign of respiratory distress. This is a serious lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood.Respiratory distressAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the bl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Nasal flaring may be caused by any of the following:Asthma flare-up AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blocked airway (any cause) Swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchiolitis) BronchiolitisBronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles). It is usually due to a viral infection....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Problem breathing and a barking cough (croup) CroupCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a "barking" cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen or inflamed tissue in the area that covers the windpipe (epiglottitis) EpiglottitisEpiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis. This is the tissue that covers the trachea (windpipe). Epiglottitis can be a life-threatening disea...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung problems, such as infection or long-term damage (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) Bronchopulmonary dysplasiaBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a long-term (chronic) lung condition that affects newborn babies who were either put on a breathing machine (vent...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing disorder in newborns (transient tachypnea of the newborn)Transient tachypnea of the newbornTransient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a breathing disorder seen shortly after delivery, most often in early term or late preterm babies. Transi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Seek emergency help right away if you or your child has signs of a breathing difficulty. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if:There is any persistent, unexplained nasal flaring, especially in a young child. Bluish color develops in the lips, nail beds, or skin. This is a sign that breathing difficulty is severe. It may mean that an emergency condition is developing. Bluish colorA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You think that your child is having trouble breathing. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms and medical history. Questions may include:When did the symptoms start? Are they getting better or worse? Is the breathing noisy, or are there wheezing sounds? WheezingWheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article What other symptoms are there, such as sweating or feeling tired? Do the muscles of the stomach, shoulders, or rib cage pull inward during breathing? Rib cage pull inward during breathingIntercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing probl...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The provider will listen carefully to the breath sounds. This is called auscultation.AuscultationAuscultation is listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests that may be done include:Arterial blood gas analysis Arterial blood gas analysisBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen level X-rays of the chestX-rays of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Oxygen may be given if there is a breathing problem.Open ReferencesReferencesRodrigues KK, Roosevelt GE. Acute inflammatory upper airway obstruction (croup, epiglottitis, laryngitis, and bacterial tracheitis). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 433.Rotta AT, Martin CJK, Sarnaik AP. Acute care of respiratory distress and failure. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 86.