If a child has a cough, what to do is far from all modern parents know, however, it is important to correctly conduct treatment to quickly eliminate this manifestation, which causes a lot of inconvenience. The occurrence of a cough reflex almost always indicates damage to the trachea, larynx or bronchi, where sensitive receptors are located. With the help of a cough, the body cleans the airways from the accumulated sputum and microbes in them.
Treatment is required only if the cough causes significant discomfort, worsens the well-being of the patient. Often, such a reflex occurs due to a cold or acute bronchitis. However, it can be provoked by other reasons. Which ones? You will learn about this by reading our article.
Cough Reasons
Before you begin treatment for a cough in a child, you must definitely understand what are the causes of its occurrence. Among the main provoking factors, one can distinguish such as:
- inflammatory processes;
- acute viral infections;
- bronchial asthma;
- the presence of adenoids and enlarged tonsils;
- penetration into the respiratory tract of a foreign object.
In addition, the cause may be diseases that are in no way associated with the respiratory system. These can be heart defects or pathologies of the digestive system. Also, the child may cough if the room is too dry or dusty.
Main types
In order to properly treat a child's cough, you need to determine its type, since the method of therapy depends on it in many respects. Among the main types of cough reflex, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- physiological;
- wet;
- dry;
- catarrhal;
- pathological;
- psychogenic;
- allergic;
- pertussis-like;
- with blood.
Physiological cough is a natural process and does not require special treatment. It helps to clear the airways of particles that have accumulated throughout the day. It can be recognized by such signs as:
- lack of influence on the activities of the child;
- periodicity;
- short duration;
- lack of temperature and other symptoms.
To verify the physiological nature of this manifestation, it is enough just to observe the baby for 2-3 days.
A wet cough in a child is characterized by the cyclical nature of its course. At the same time, sputum clears its throat and it stands out a lot in the morning. Such a cough occurs due to irritation or inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, in particular:
- bronchitis;
- sinusitis;
- fistula of the esophagus.
Dry short cough is quite unpleasant and annoying. It is characterized by a practically unchanged tonality and the absence of sputum production. It can sometimes occur in completely healthy children due to a sharp transition from cold to a warm room. Among the main causes of dry cough can be identified such as:
- bronchitis;
- laryngotracheitis;
- laryngitis;
- tuberculosis infection;
- penetration of foreign bodies;
- inflammatory processes.
One of the most common types is a cold cough in a child. Depending on the absence or presence of secretions during coughing, two types are distinguished, namely, productive and unproductive. A barking cough in a child is very often observed with laryngitis or pharyngitis. The baby additionally complains of sore throat and tickling, and the voice becomes hoarse. Due to severe irritation of the receptors, seizures become prolonged and cause very great discomfort.
Paroxysmal cough accompanies diseases such as tracheitis and bronchitis. Each such attack is accompanied by pain in the sternum.
The psychogenic type occurs in children who want to attract the attention of adults. It is a dry cough, accompanied by a loud sound. When viewed from a doctor, the cough is even worse. This is due to anxiety and emotional state. In this case, you must definitely consult a psychologist.
Pertussis-like cough is characterized by the fact that a lot of sputum is released. A similar condition can be observed with diseases such as:
- Chronical bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- cystic fibrosis;
- lung cyst;
- bronchiectasis.
It is very important to distinguish an attack of whooping cough from a wet cough in a child. In this case, there is no cyclicity.
The pathological type of cough occurs in the presence of various diseases. It can be caused not only by respiratory diseases, but can also be associated with a violation of the digestive and cardiovascular functions. In addition, there is a high fever, restless sleep, loss of appetite, frequent and unreasonable crying.
The cough caused by the ingress of particles of solid food and foreign objects into the respiratory tract belongs to the pathological type. Coughing becomes intense, and the baby begins to choke. In this case, urgent measures must be taken.
A very dangerous condition is a cough with blood, however, this phenomenon is quite rare. In this case, you must definitely call a doctor. Coughing up blood can occur with:
- increased vascular permeability;
- rupture of capillaries;
- erythrocyte diapedesis.
If there is blood in the sputum, then this may indicate pulmonary hemorrhage. If the child is prone to allergies, then a cough may begin when the allergen enters the respiratory tract.
Diagnostics
To determine how to treat a cough in a child, you must first determine its type by conducting a comprehensive diagnosis. First of all, you need to contact a pediatrician. The doctor can find out questions regarding:
- the presence of other symptoms;
- depending on provoking factors;
- the presence of allergies;
- type of cough;
- features of sputum;
- the duration of the attack.
Based on the clinical picture and medical history, the doctor may additionally prescribe such diagnostic measures as:
- X-ray
- bronchoscopy;
- blood analysis;
- bronchography;
- sputum analysis.
According to the results of the study, it will become clear whether there is a need for consultation of other specialists.
How to relieve a strong cough
Only the attending doctor can determine how to treat a cough in a child, but you can try to alleviate the condition of the baby yourself. Immediately after an attack occurs, parents need to provide the baby with a warm, plentiful drink. This will not only prevent dehydration, but also thin the sputum. As drinks, milk, stewed fruit, herbal teas, water with lemon, juices are well suited.
It is necessary to prepare for the child a foot bath with the addition of dry mustard. After that, you need to put warm socks on your feet. It is worth remembering that it is forbidden to carry out such a procedure if the baby has a fever.
It is necessary to clean and moisten the air in the room where the child is. It is necessary to carry out wet cleaning in the room and ventilate it. In addition, it is advisable to use a humidifier. This contributes to a faster discharge of sputum.
The use of drugs
Treatment of a cough in a child is carried out with the help of various medications. It can be syrups and cough tablets. The purpose of therapy is not suppression of the cough reflex, but a change in its characteristics. If the cough was triggered by diseases of a bacterial nature, then antibacterial drugs are prescribed. The appointment of antibiotics must be approached very responsibly, therefore, only the attending doctor should choose the medicine, who selects the course of treatment strictly individually.
Among the most popular antibacterial drugs, macrolides and penicillin drugs can be distinguished, in particular, Sumamed, Ceftriaxone, and Cefazolin.
Antitussive drugs are prescribed for whooping cough, as well as dry, barking cough in a child, which is accompanied by vomiting. They help reduce the intensity of the attack by inhibiting the cough reflex. As a result of their intake, sputum is fully excreted from the respiratory system. Such medicines include Tusuprex, Sinekod, Sedotussin. It is forbidden to take them with airway obstruction.
Mucolytics help thin the sputum. Such cough syrups for children are prescribed if there is a thick and difficult to separate sputum. They are used in the course of infectious diseases, in particular bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia. The most popular drugs of this group are “ACC”, “Ambroxol”, “Bromhexine”. It is worth remembering that the simultaneous use of mucolytic and antitussive drugs is prohibited.
In addition, expectorant cough syrups for children can be prescribed that help sputum discharge by diluting it. After taking these medicines, the cough reflex may increase significantly, and sputum will be released in large quantities. They help clear the airways of mucus. Among the most popular means, it is necessary to single out Gedelix, Pertusin, and Doctor IOM.
If the cough was triggered by an allergy, then antihistamines should be used. They help reduce swelling of the mucosa. Such funds include Zirtek, Fenistil, Erius.
Alternative methods of treatment
Various folk remedies for cough are widely used for children, as they help get rid of the problem very quickly, and are also completely safe for the child's body. In particular, they help to cope with the cough reflex:
- carrot juice with honey;
- lemon with honey;
- radish with sugar;
- milk with mineral water;
- badger fat.
Carrot juice and cough honey for children helps reduce seizures and remove sputum from the airways. Carrot juice should be fresh. You need to take 1 tbsp. l mixtures several times a day. A good remedy is baked radish. To do this, you need to cut the vegetable into small cubes, put in a saucepan and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in the oven for 2 hours. Then strain, discard the radish, and take 2 tsp of liquid. before meals and at night.
A strong coughing attack in a child is well treated with the most ordinary milk. To do this, mix milk with alkaline mineral water in equal proportions. You can also add figs to warm milk. You can take honey with butter. To do this, mix both of these components in equal proportions, and then add a little vanillin and mix everything until smooth. Take 1 tsp. before meals.
With a severe attack of cough in a child, provoked by bronchial asthma, you can take figs boiled in milk. In addition, this tool is good for colds and whooping cough.
One of the most popular folk remedies for cough for children can be called badger fat. It is used externally, rubbing the back and chest of children up to 3 years. After this child needs to be wrapped up warmly. Older children can use badger fat for internal use, having previously dissolved it in milk.
The use of compresses
Beginning cough in a child can be successfully treated with compresses. This is one of the most popular therapeutic procedures. The most popular are such compresses as:
To prepare a honey compress, you need to moisten the fabric in honey melted in a water bath and put it on the back of the baby, avoiding the heart area, cover with wax paper on top and wrap the baby in a blanket. A very good remedy is a salt compress. To do this, you need to prepare a strong salt solution, mixing it with hot water, dip a cloth into it and put it on the baby's back.
You can use jacket-boiled potatoes that need to be mashed hot, mashed, transferred into a tight bag, wrapped in a towel and used as a compress.
Mustard and Banks
Mustard plasters are considered a good remedy; when coughing for children, they are used to stimulate blood circulation in the setting area. At the same time, the body's defenses are activated. If in the presence of a cold cough there is no temperature, nasal congestion and ears, then you can easily cope with the existing problem with the help of mustard plasters. For this tool to give a good effect, you need to take into account the basic rules for their use, in particular such:
- when coughing, mustard plasters on children are placed on the chest;
- the best time for the procedure is before bedtime;
- the skin must be intact;
- avoid the heart area.
You can buy ready-made mustard plates or prepare them yourself from dry mustard powder. On top of the child is wrapped in a blanket. The maximum procedure time is 10-15 minutes, and after this time the baby may be bothered by burning sensation. After the procedure, mustard plasters need to be removed, rinsed with warm water, wiped, and then wrap the baby.
You can alleviate night cough in a child by applying cans before bedtime. This is one of the most effective cold-fighting procedures. The result is a very powerful stimulation of blood circulation. Banks are recommended to be placed for children from 12 years old and very carefully.
Inhalation application
For the treatment of day and night cough in a child, inhalation is very useful. Children are contraindicated in the first year of life, since there is a high risk of respiratory tract spasm. You can use steam inhalation or a special inhaler for children from coughing. Nebulizers are completely safe, as there is no risk that the child may get burned.
With the help of inhalation, you can effectively clear the airways of germs and toxins, as well as significantly reduce the attack of coughing. The duration of the procedure is approximately 10 minutes. To prepare inhalation, you can use:
- oregano grass;
- chamomile flowers;
- thyme;
- boiled potatoes;
- coltsfoot;
- essential oils.
An inhaler helps to get rid of a cough, for children the procedure is no more than 3 minutes. For an hour after the procedure, it is not recommended to consume food and drink.
Treatment of cough in infants
Treatment of cough in an infant is carried out by the use of drugs that promote liquefaction of sputum, which facilitates its elimination. It is important to avoid the development of pneumonia. To do this, help the child cough. To do this, push the flat blunt object onto the root of the tongue. It is necessary to carry out such a procedure before each feeding.
Of the drugs, “ACC” is often prescribed. When using syrups to treat a child, one must take into account the fact that such products contain sugars and dyes that can trigger allergies.
When coughing can be dangerous
If a cough occurs, in any case, you should immediately consult a doctor, especially if:
- child less than 1 year old;
- there are any chronic diseases;
- the temperature has risen dramatically.
In addition, you need to immediately visit a doctor if there is a release of green sputum, it is with blood impurities, the cough is accompanied by loud wheezing, and severe night attacks are also observed.
Prophylaxis
It is important to carry out certain preventive measures so that the child as much as possible gets sick with colds. That is why parents are recommended:
- conduct hardening of the baby;
- do not smoke in the presence of a child;
- Do not overheat the child;
- provide proper, balanced nutrition.
During the period of seasonal exacerbation of colds, you need to give your child natural remedies to strengthen immunity. It is important to monitor the health of your child. It is necessary to take walks with the baby in the fresh air, to conduct its hardening.
A cough in a child can cause significant discomfort, which is why it is very important to conduct a comprehensive treatment to ease the condition of the baby. For therapy, you can use traditional methods and traditional medicine.