The cough in a child is disturbing for all parents. Often, such symptoms are perceived as problems in the bronchi and trachea. However, in almost half the cases, babies develop a cough due to snot.
The methods of treating such a disease are completely different than those used in pathologies of the respiratory organs.
How is a runny nose related to coughing?
In children, the nasopharynx is formed differently than in adults. When mucus occurs in the nasal cavity, it begins to gradually accumulate and flows down the back wall of the child, thereby irritating the trachea, ligaments and bronchi.
As a result, a cough from snot in a child acts as a reflex of respiratory organs to mucus. This phenomenon is congenital and is considered an independent cleaning of the bronchi from mucus. However, the child can only cough up after 4 years.
Usually, in this case, the parents immediately begin to give the child cough syrups and syrups, but this is not always effective. If coughing occurs due to snot, then rhinitis should be eliminated initially. Often the cough goes away immediately.
Main reasons
The appearance of wet and dry cough is often triggered by flu and respiratory diseases. However, it can be triggered by other reasons, namely:
- dry air in the house;
- allergy;
- mucosal injury.
With an allergy, the effect of treatment will not be until the child stops contacting the allergen. A cough and a runny nose will bother the baby for a long time, and the funds used will only bring temporary relief.
If the baby is not yet two months old, then this condition can be physiological. In this case, a cough appears due to snot that flows down the back wall of the larynx. Special treatment is not required, you just need to create optimal conditions in the house, maintaining the required temperature and humidity level.
To excessive formation of mucus and draining it into the throat can lead to mucosal injury. As a result of this, a cough appears. This often occurs with improper cleansing of the nasal passages from the formed crusts.
A foreign body can lead to excessive accumulation of mucus in the nose and the appearance of cough due to snot. This pathological manifestation is often found in preschool children. They often put various objects into the nasal passages during the game.
In young children, teething can cause a runny nose and coughing. Sometimes this manifestation is accompanied by fever and intestinal disorders. In any case, you need to see a doctor who can correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.
What are the symptoms?
Determine the cause of coughing can only be a doctor after an examination. When coughing due to snot, there is no wheezing in the sternum, and if the child opens his mouth very strongly, then the doctor notes an accumulation of mucus and smudges on the back of the throat. You can independently determine this by such signs as:
- coughing appeared later than a runny nose;
- cough appears only in the evening and at night;
- the temperature does not rise;
- there are no other signs of a cold;
- dry cough, without sputum production.
If the baby has an increase in temperature, the general condition is weakened, perspires in the throat and dries up in the nose, then the child should be urgently shown to the doctor, as this may be a sign of flu.
If there is a cough from snot in a child, then at night it is quite strong. This is due to the fact that a lot of mucus flows into the throat.
Diagnostics
The doctor can determine when there is a cough from snot flowing down the back wall when examining the throat. The child should open his mouth wide so that the doctor sees an accumulation of mucous sputum along the back wall, which will provoke a cough reflex. The pediatrician also clarifies with parents when exactly this problem appeared, at what time it is most intensively manifested, and is also interested in the general well-being of the baby.
The child in this case is much stronger and often coughs in a dream. The horizontal position makes it easier for mucus to drain into the nasopharynx, which irritates the mucosa. In the daytime, the child practically does not cough.
If the pediatrician is not enough visual inspection or he doubts the correctness of the diagnosis, then a full examination is recommended. For this, a blood test, blood tests, as well as some other tests that help determine the cause of the appearance of snot are prescribed.
Treatment features
Quite often there is a cough from snot. How to treat snot, only the attending doctor will be able to determine after the examination. In addition to drugs aimed at getting rid of pathogens, the baby is prescribed symptomatic therapy.
It is important for the child to provide the most comfortable conditions. It is necessary to regularly ventilate the room and maintain optimal humidity. Coughing fits can be relieved by drinking plenty of warm water. A large amount of liquid will help remove mucus from the larynx and facilitate the overall well-being of the child.
Several times a day, you need to rinse the nasal passages with saline. In this case, a child under two years of age does not have such procedures. At this age, half a pipette of saline is instilled into the nose, and then the mucus is pulled with an aspirator.
So that a child with a cold can sleep peacefully, he needs to be laid on a pillow higher. In this case, mucus does not accumulate in the throat and does not irritate it. Inhalation will help cure coughing from dripping snot. Children over three years old should breathe over a decoction with potatoes or with a nebulizer with mineral alkaline water.
Medications
Many parents are interested in how to treat a cough for snot in a child, since it is very important to try to ease the baby's well-being as quickly as possible. To alleviate its condition, it is necessary to exclude the formation of a large amount of mucus in the nose. Treatment should be gentle and careful, as the baby’s mucous membranes are sensitive to many drugs.
It helps to eliminate the cough from snot gargling. They have been used since three years, when the baby can already follow the instructions of the parents. Rinses help you quickly feel better.
In case of cough and sore throat, doctors recommend using local remedies to eliminate irritation of the nasopharynx and tonsils. To do this, dissolve lozenges, candies and special tablets. They have an antiseptic and analgesic effect, and also help eliminate irritation of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Pills with a fruity taste are well suited for kids, and at an already older age, you can use lozenges with menthol or eucalyptus. They freeze the surface of the larynx, reducing its sensitivity, and also as quickly as possible suppress a coughing fit.
For children from three years old, "Lizobact", "Faringosept" is well suited. Children from the age of four are allowed to dissolve the Septolete and Doctor Mom lozenges. However, it is worth remembering that only a pediatrician should select the medicine.
If standard therapy does not bring the desired result, then the doctor may prescribe local and systemic antibiotics. The doctor selects the drug, dosage and course of treatment. The isofra antibiotic helps alleviate cough from snot on the back wall. This remedy is prescribed to babies from six months. The Polydex Nasal Spray helps well. It is indicated for use by children from three years. The medicine contains several antibacterial components, and also has a vasoconstrictor effect.
Folk remedies
How to treat cough from snot and can folk remedies be used for this? For therapy, it is recommended to use honey. For this, a cotton pad is folded with a flagellum, dipped in honey. Then they are inserted into the nose for 10 minutes, after which they are removed. The child should blow his nose well. Cannot insert flagella very deeply. The procedure is carried out in the morning and in the evening. You can also add honey to tea. It helps eliminate shortness of breath and cough.
To reduce the production of mucus in the nose, it is recommended to instill chamomile infusion. To do this, in 1 tbsp. put boiling water 2 tsp. shredded plants. Put the mixture for 30 minutes, then filter and cool. Instill the finished medicine in the nose, then blow your nose. Apply infusion of chamomile 3-4 times a day. It helps to normalize the microflora of the nasal mucosa, reduce mucus production.
In warm milk you need to add 1 tsp. honey and butter on the tip of a knife. Mix all components thoroughly. Milk is given to the child before bedtime. Then the baby needs to be wrapped in a blanket.
For the treatment of rhinitis, vasoconstrictive drops Otrivin or Nazivin are used. The danger is that they are addictive, therefore, they can be used no more than 10 days. Moisturizers, in particular, such as Aqua Maris, Aqualor, Sialor, help to relieve sputum discharge.
Features of the treatment of infants
Coughing at night from snot in a child gives the baby significant concern. In infants, it occurs much more often than in older children. This is due to the structural features of the respiratory system and the inability of the child to independently remove mucus from the nose. The accumulation of a large number of snot in the nasal passages leads to the drainage of mucus along the back of the throat.
In infants up to 6 months old, a runny nose can be accompanied by bloating and diarrhea. After a year, a viral infection manifests itself in the form of nasal congestion and cough with sputum discharge.
Doctors do not recommend the use of drugs at this age unless it is accompanied by fever. To facilitate the well-being of the child, you need to clean the nose with an aspirator and rinse the nasal passages with sterile sea water. Ready solution can be purchased at the pharmacy. Such funds include Aqua Maris, Aqualor Baby, Morenazal.
Recommendations of Dr. Komarovsky
To cure snot cough as quickly as possible, Komarovsky advises giving the child as much fluid as possible. This will help the body recover much faster. The baby's room needs regular cleaning. The room is recommended to be aired as often as possible. Clean air promotes healing.
In order not to irritate and scratch the sore throat, it is recommended to feed the baby with liquid food, which will be easily digested. It is best to feed your baby cereals and soups. Solid foods will scratch your throat, and this can lead to complications.
Food consumed must be healthy. It is forbidden to consume harmful foods and sweets. During treatment, you need to protect the child from physical exertion. Outdoor games can lead to negative consequences.
Danger of runny nose
The accumulation of sputum in the nasopharynx interferes with the normal breathing of the child. The baby involuntarily switches to breathing by mouth, which has several negative points. Firstly, cold air enters the lungs and bronchi, and also it is not cleared of the smallest particles of dirt and dust. In this case, the infection enters the bronchi, throat, lungs and even the stomach. All this provokes colds and infectious diseases. Cough from snot at night interferes with the normal sleep of the child, it becomes nervous and irritable.
In young children, it is necessary to treat a runny nose. If you do not conduct therapy in a timely manner, then such a condition can provoke such complications as:
- pharyngitis and laryngitis;
- angina;
- otitis;
- laryngospasm.
If a runny nose was provoked by viruses or bacteria, then the mucus that drains into the throat can provoke the development of tonsillitis. Pathogens spread to the lower parts of the respiratory system, which causes their swelling and inflammation. Mucus from the nose can enter the middle ear, which often leads to the development of otitis media.
Snots regularly draining into the throat can lead to very severe mucosal edema and laryngospasm. A similar phenomenon is mainly observed at night.
The smaller the child, the more dangerous the runny nose for him. A blocked nose in infants can cause oxygen starvation and aspiration pneumonia. In addition, they can not eat normally, which leads to weight loss.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the occurrence of a cold, it is imperative to follow the rules of prevention. A child needs only healthy foods that are rich in vitamins. This is very important for a growing organism. Reception of vitamin complexes strengthens immunity. Only the attending doctor can choose the required remedy.
The child’s room must have fresh air, so you need to regularly ventilate the room. We must not forget about the wet cleaning of the children's room. Moderate physical activity should be at least two times a week. This will help strengthen the body of the child.
Walking in the fresh air is important. This will prevent the frequent occurrence of diseases.