Autumn is ending and winter is coming, and your child has a barking cough? It is possible that this is laryngitis. During the off-season, children's immunity is somewhat reduced, therefore, it cannot fully respond to various pathogenic factors.
Laryngitis in a child (as in adults) is an inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa caused by various viruses of colds or other infectious lesions of the body (measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever). The reasons that stimulate laryngitis in a child can be allergic reactions, overstrain of the vocal cords, hypothermia, mouth breathing, dustiness and gas contamination.
Laryngitis in a child is dangerous because in children the structure of the nasopharynx is small in size. She and the protective mechanism are not able to restrain microorganisms. As a result, this whole “horde” descends into the larynx and even into the trachea (laryngotracheitis), causing severe inflammation and narrowing of the passage. Therefore, it is possible to block the access of air and the child may suffocate. This feature is the reason that young children are hospitalized for acute laryngitis.
Signs of laryngitis in children
To determine children's laryngitis, it is necessary to consider the following symptoms in a complex:
- Runny nose.
- Redness of the larynx and adjacent sections of the mucosa.
- Slightly labored and rapid breathing.
- Dry cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Fever and headaches (but not always).
At night, all of the above symptoms are aggravated. The passage in the larynx remains very small, and the inhalation of air is accompanied by a characteristic whistle. Then a barking cough appears. In some cases, it is impossible to believe that such sounds come from a small child. The kid becomes moody and restless. The cyanotic color of the nasolabial triangle is another sign of developing laryngitis.
Forms and varieties of infant laryngitis
Like any disease, laryngitis in a child can take various forms:
- Spicy. An independent disease that appeared under the influence of the above factors and causes. The most common form in children.
- Chronic. The consequence of the regular recurrence of acute laryngitis and its treatment. It is more common in adults.
The most common types of laryngitis in a child are catarrhal, hypertrophic, atrophic.
Catarrhal laryngitis is the easiest type of this disease. It is accompanied by perspiration and other unpleasant sensations in the throat, hoarseness, infrequent dry cough.
Hypertrophic laryngitis is a weighted catarrhal form of this lesion of the larynx and trachea, up to the appearance of nodular formations on the vocal cords (sometimes their removal is required).
Atrophic laryngitis is accompanied by a thinning of the mucous membrane of the larynx and the posterior pharyngeal wall (not always). In children, this is a rare species. The stimulating reason is mainly the use of food and drinks, which irritate and burn the mucous membrane (spicy seasonings and spices).
False croup
Separately, it is worth talking about the "false croup." This is the stage of acute laryngitis in young children, in which there is a strong narrowing of the passage in the larynx due to swelling of the mucosa. It is accompanied by a strong barking cough and a bluish nasolabial triangle. Most often, "false croup" occurs at night. The baby may suffocate. Need urgent hospitalization. Before the ambulance arrives, you can give a strict dosage of antiallergic (suprastin, tavegil) and spasm-relieving (no-shpa, papaverine) drugs. For adolescents and adults, this condition does not threaten deaths.
Children's laryngitis. Treatment and prevention
Treatment of laryngitis in children includes the following actions:
- Minimum of conversations (especially screams) and breathing through the nose. You must convince the child that these precautions will help to recover.
- Warm drink in large quantities (at least 1.5 liters per day).
- Refusal of spicy and spicy food.
- Getting rid of annoying factors. House repair, adult smoking in the apartment, regular wet cleaning and so on. An excellent treatment option in nature.
- Carrying out inhalations.
The need for the use of various drugs will be determined by the pediatrician. In this case, the dosages and conditions for taking the medicine must be strictly observed.
Parents should always remember that it is better to prevent the disease than to get various consequences. That means hardening is the first measure to prevent laryngitis in children.