Against the background of diseases affecting the respiratory tract, quite serious consequences often develop. This is especially dangerous when it comes to a small child. If you do not start treatment as quickly as possible, then the negative consequences can affect the health of the baby throughout life. The most effective treatment involves taking antibiotics, but taking such potent drugs negatively affects the microflora of the stomach. Under the influence of such drugs, not only pathogenic bacteria die, but also beneficial ones.
As a rule, treatment of cough and other respiratory diseases is treated with inhalation. Our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers also breathed on hot potatoes, covering their heads with a towel. Today, this procedure is most often performed using a nebulizer. Although this unit is considered safe, the use of steam, especially hot, is not always recommended. In addition, it is worth considering at what age a child can be inhaled. There are also a number of situations in which such procedures can do more harm than good.
Contraindications
Speaking about whether it is possible to do inhalation of a child with a nebulizer or perform other similar procedures, doctors usually have nothing against it if their parents let the baby breathe over medicines or herbs. However, there are several situations in which such events are strictly prohibited.
First of all, you need to forget about such treatment if the child has a fever. This also applies to infants, in whom the temperature rises to 37 degrees. In this state, any warming procedures are strictly prohibited.
Is it possible to inhale a child under the age of one year? Doctors recommend to refrain from such procedures for the first 12 months of the baby's life. In exceptional situations, such treatment is allowed, but only if the doctor is ready to go for it.
If the child has blood flowing from the nose or has problems with the cardiovascular system, then it is also worth refraining from such procedures. Otherwise, you can only exacerbate the problem.
Regardless of the age at which a child can be inhaled, such treatment is excluded in case of acute pneumonia, edema, or pus. With tonsillitis and otitis media, it is also not worth performing such manipulations. Under the action of heating, the bacteria that are contained in the pus begin to multiply actively.
general information
First of all, it is worth saying that inhalations are very effective and help to quickly recover. Thanks to the inhalers and the numerous therapeutic solutions that are used for them, the procedure can be carried out without problems at home. Since the effect is directly on the very place where the pain is localized (throat, lungs, etc.), the mucus leaves much faster. The sooner the airways are released from it, the better the patient feels.
Before inhaling a child, it is necessary that the baby is used to such therapeutic measures. Therefore, you can not start them when you had to face an ailment, but up to this point. Such procedures using different herbs will be an excellent prevention and prepare the child for the fact that in inhalation there is nothing to worry about.
At what age do children make inhalations?
Of course, in this matter everything also depends on the individual characteristics of the baby. Some are completely contraindicated in such procedures, while for others they become the only right decision in the treatment of colds.
If we talk about the age at which a child can be inhaled, then there are several opinions on this. Some doctors do not recommend such treatment for up to a year, others agree to use such treatment. However, if we are talking about babies, then you should understand that he can inhale the medicine for no longer than 2-3 minutes and only after consulting a doctor. Since it is difficult for a tiny baby to explain what parents want from him, it is best to carry out such treatment when the child is sleeping. For this, there are specialized units on sale that do not make any sounds so as not to wake up and scare the baby.
If we are talking about older children, then except when such procedures are contraindicated, they can be performed without special appointment of a specialist. The duration of one inhalation in this case is 5 minutes or more (it all depends on what kind of cough the child has and what is used as a medicine).
The opinion of doctors
It is believed that doctors work "the old fashioned way." This means that earlier, when there were no safer nebulizers on sale, the only way to carry out inhalation was through direct contact with hot air. In this case, there was too much risk of getting a burn of the mucous membrane or the airways themselves. However, today there are adjustable units on sale, and many pediatricians give preference to hardware treatment, instead of prescribing medications for oral administration, which will be absorbed into the baby's blood.
Many doctors today have nothing against such units. However, they must make sure that the parents of the baby understand how to use it correctly and will strictly comply with the instructions.
If we are talking about a very small baby, then the first procedure is best done in the presence of a specialist.
Problems that may occur before the age of one year
If we are talking about very tiny babies, then in this case, inhalation becomes a real stress for them. It is quite natural that the baby will start to rest with his feet and hands, cry and break out, but will not let “the unknown beast” come to him. Often, such treatment ends with a dislocation of the brush in the parent and hysteria in the baby.
If the child is categorically against such manipulations, it is better to leave such an undertaking or purchase a night unit.
How to do inhalation for a child
First of all, you need to "introduce" the child to the new unit. You need to turn it on and let the child get used to its sound. Of course, the baby will not want to bring an incomprehensible nozzle to his mouth. To avoid hysteria, it is recommended to purchase devices whose nozzles are made in the form of toys.
Speaking about how to make an inhalation for a child, it is important to follow a few important rules:
- Do not carry out the procedure immediately after eating. After eating, at least 1-1.5 hours should pass. On the other hand, on an empty stomach, such manipulations are also contraindicated. Therefore, the best option is to feed the baby and begin treatment in an hour.
- Doctors advise against inhalation while playing games or reading. The child can be distracted and harm himself (for example, if inhalation is carried out with an ordinary kettle, the baby can accidentally inhale hot steam).
- After inhalation, you can not strain the vocal cords. It is necessary to explain to the baby that within an hour he should not scream, sing and it is advisable to talk, because the neck is very tired and he needs rest.
- The child should be dressed in loose clothing that will not hamper his movements.
- The duration of the procedure is 5-7 minutes (for infants no more than 2 minutes).
What can not be used for inhalation
Some parents believe that if you pound the pills prescribed by the doctor and put them in a nebulizer, the child will receive the necessary treatment, but medications will not harm his body. It must be remembered that there is a strict list of what inhalations are given to a child with cough and other diseases. Such tools include specialized solutions. Pour into the unit everything that you want is impossible.
In addition, you should not independently prepare herbal infusions for inhalation. A child may be allergic to a particular plant. In no case should you use essential oils, this will only aggravate the situation.
Also, mineral water is not suitable for the procedures.
Rules for using a nebulizer
Having decided when it is possible to make inhalations for children, you need to remember the features of using this unit. There is a standard procedure for using the device:
- A special solution is poured into the tank (its temperature should not exceed 20 degrees). As a rule, it is about 6 ml of the drug, which is mixed with specialized saline.
- The inhaler closes. The mask is connected to the outlet of the unit.
- A medical procedure is carried out (how much inhalation a child should do is determined by the doctor, especially if there is a warning on the device that it is suitable only for older children, and the procedure is planned for the baby).
- Upon completion of treatment, the nebulizer must be washed with warm water. It is advisable to use disinfectants.
During the procedure, do not ask the child to breathe deeper. From this, he will begin to cough even more. He should breathe as usual.
Good to know
It is worth paying attention to the fact that most modern nebulizers are equipped with special sensors that help regulate the intensity of air supply with medicinal vapors. Depending on these settings, you can independently determine which zones will be affected.
For example, if you install the unit at 8-10 microns, then therapeutic pairs will affect only the baby's mouth. At 5-8 microns, a deeper effect is exerted. The medicine is delivered to the nasopharynx and larynx. If you set 1-3 microns, then the pairs will reach the bronchioles. If alveoli treatment is needed, then the sensors are set to 1 micron.
What solutions are used
Parents should not independently come up with prescriptions using standard medications that are commonly used to treat colds. Doctors strongly do not recommend crushing tablets and diluting them with water. In addition, only saline solution can be used to create liquid solutions. Distilled, boiled and "healing water from the source" will not work.
Sometimes, determining how many inhalations a child can do, the doctor decides to use several drugs at once. In this case, you need to carry out the procedure in turn with a break of at least 15 minutes. In no case should you mix formulations or perform inhalations one after another.
If we talk about the funds that are poured into the nebulizer, then usually treatment (depending on the specific ailment) is carried out using:
- Bronchodilators.
- Antiseptics.
- Mucolytics.
- Antifungal agents.
- Antibiotics.
- Antiallergic compounds.
- Hormonal drugs.
How much inhalation can be carried out
If we talk about the frequency of procedures, then usually inhalations are performed 2 times a day. Some drugs require more frequent administration (three times a day). If the doctor prescribed just saline, then it can be used up to four times a day.
The duration of the procedure and course of treatment is determined by the doctor depending on the age and condition of the child. If the inhalations are too long, then this will cause discontent in the baby. Therefore, you should not force him to be treated for longer than 10 minutes (if we are talking about an older child).
Finally
Knowing at what age a child can be inhaled, you still should not self-medicate infants. Sometimes parents make the wrong diagnosis. As a result, treatment only harms the baby. It is better if the treatment is prescribed by an experienced pediatrician.
Do not choose cheap nebulizers. If the unit smells of plastic, then you should not let the baby bring such a device to his mouth. It is better to buy high-quality products that can not do harm.