If a child develops a barking cough without fever, then many parents begin to panic. In fact, this phenomenon is a response of the body to the action of a certain stimulus, which comes from the external environment.
Signs of Barking Cough
The main symptom that manifests itself at the initial stage of the disease is the sounds that accompany the cough. They are very similar to the barking of an animal. The reason for this phenomenon lies in the swelling of the soft tissues of the larynx. This, in turn, leads to a change in voice. In addition, the condition of the child becomes more depressed. From attempts to get rid of the accumulated sputum and weakness appears, the voice becomes hoarse.
Symptoms of barking cough
The main symptoms of a barking cough are:
- a hoarse voice;
- headache;
- general weakness, loss of strength;
- hard breath;
- the appearance of edema and the inflammatory process in the larynx;
- swollen lymph nodes.
If treatment is not started in a timely manner, then the risk of developing serious complications increases. If there is a rare barking cough in a child without fever, then you should carefully monitor the general condition of your child.
Features of barking cough
The hardest thing a child suffers is a dry cough. After all, it does not allow you to clear the respiratory system of sputum. Attacks of barking dry cough can be protracted, as well as greatly bore the child.
Do not forget that in children up to a certain age, the lungs remain undeveloped. Because of this, the symptoms of some diseases appear more acutely. In a child, a barking cough without fever can occur very often. Such a symptom got its name because of its similarity with sounds made by animals.
In some cases, coughing is a sign of a serious illness. With certain ailments, it is accompanied by whistling sounds and wheezing. With a dry barking cough, a fragile body gets tired very quickly, causing hoarseness. In addition, the child may have difficulty breathing due to swelling of the airways.
Worth considering
90% of all childhood diseases are a sign of infection of the body with parasites. Nasal congestion, tonsillitis, frequent colds, runny nose, rashes of various etiologies, an allergic reaction are the consequences of exposure to harmful microorganisms. This must be fought.
As medical practice shows, a barking cough may appear in a child without fever and without sputum discharge. Some children may not even have a cold. However, in such situations, coughing may indicate the development of a serious illness.
Often, seizures bother the child in the evening or morning hours. It was at this time that the respiratory system was poorly ventilated. As a result, sputum stagnation occurs. Breathing may be worse. The situation may become more complicated if sputum discharge does not occur with a dry cough. For this reason, seizures can be painful for a child and cause a strong sense of discomfort. The task of parents is to soften the cough and calm the child, and then seek help from specialists.
Why does a cough occur?
So, why does a barking cough occur in a child without fever. The reasons for this phenomenon have long been studied. Most often, such a cough is caused by:
- Infections of the respiratory tract caused by exposure to viruses that can be transmitted by air. Most often, a barking cough occurs with laryngitis. The most common causative agents of such diseases are parainfluenza and influenza viruses.
- Tumor of the vocal cords.
- Damage to the larynx that occurs with manifestations of allergies.
- Neoplasms in the area of the vocal cords or larynx.
- Foreign body in the larynx.
- Congenital disorders of the larynx. In such situations, the cough begins to bother the child from birth.
Foreign object in the lumen of the larynx
If the child has a barking cough without fever, then this may indicate a foreign object getting into the larynx. In this case, the symptom may be accompanied by painful sensations. If the foreign body is small, then the child may feel suffocation. Also, the baby may experience shortness of breath. Gradually, such a cough becomes intrusive and constantly worries.
If there is a suspicion that something is stuck in the larynx of the child, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist or a local pediatrician. Do not try to extract the item yourself. This is fraught with consequences. Only a specialist with a narrow profile is able to detect a foreign body and safely remove it without damaging the soft tissues.
Allergy
A dry barking cough in a child without fever may indicate an allergic reaction in the body. Such irritation in young children is extremely rare. In adolescents, this happens much more often. This cough arises as a result of exposure to the tissues of the larynx of the irritant. It may be a drug, food product or infection.
A specific symptom of such an allergic reaction is hoarseness and a constant barking cough.
Psychological state
A strong barking cough in a child without fever often occurs against the background of an unstable psychological state. Similar violations are rare. In medicine, this cough is also called "nervous." It has a psychogenic basis.
It is worth noting that with such a deviation from the norm, incessant bouts of barking cough occur. However, the general condition of the child does not worsen.
When to sound the alarm
When is barking cough dangerous in a child without fever? Treatment should be carried out only after consultation with specialists. If coughing attacks are often repeated and occur at certain intervals, then you should immediately show the child to the doctor. Attacks are also dangerous, accompanied by severe weakness, loss of strength, allergic reactions, vomiting and shortness of breath.
If a runny nose, barking cough in a child without fever, is concerned , then it is worth seeing a doctor. Only a specialist with a narrow profile can prescribe adequate therapy and make an accurate diagnosis. Do not self-medicate, as this can aggravate the condition of the child.
Deterioration
A barking cough in a child at night without fever can be very disturbing. In the absence of timely treatment, the patient's condition may worsen. Often this leads to the development of complications. Among the signs of deterioration, it is worth highlighting:
- a strong change in voice;
- skin acquires a bluish tint;
- body temperature rises;
- salivation increases;
- lethargy appears;
- the child loses consciousness;
- difficulty swallowing and breathing;
- suffocating attacks appear.
It is worth noting that most of the listed symptoms carry a danger to the life of the child. For this reason, when they are detected, it is worth calling an ambulance. It is strictly forbidden to leave the premises with a sick child.
What drugs are prescribed
Treatment of a barking cough in a child should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Any medications are prescribed in accordance with the diagnosis and general condition of the baby.
Most often, a barking cough, which is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature, is eliminated with antibacterial, expectorant and mucolytic agents. The first group of drugs allows you to get rid of microorganisms that can provoke the development of the disease.
A barking cough is almost always dry. Therefore, for its treatment, mucolytic agents are used to dilute sputum. You need to take such drugs for three days. After this, the doctor should prescribe an expectorant. Such therapy is carried out only in cases where a barking cough is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
If fever occurs, this may indicate the development of a serious illness. If the temperature rises, you should immediately call a doctor.
Herbs and the right diet
To mitigate the attacks of a barking cough, the doctor may prescribe an herbal collection. As a rule, the composition of such funds includes St. John's wort, sage leaves, chamomile, mint. This collection contains a large amount of vitamin C. Due to this component, sputum is gradually liquefied and excreted.
To avoid dehydration, experts recommend giving the child more warm water. In addition, doctors advise you to adjust the patient’s diet. When a child is bothered by a barking cough, it is worth excluding foods from the diet that can damage the soft tissues of the larynx and bronchial mucosa. You should also reduce the amount of salt, spices and sugar consumed. Experts recommend including more warm broths, fruits and cereals in the diet.
Therapy Features
In order for barking cough to pass faster, it is necessary to create optimal conditions in all rooms where the sick child is staying. The rooms are recommended to air several times during the day. The time of the procedures can be from 10 to 30 minutes. It all depends on the weather. Doctors recommend giving up temporary walks in the fresh air.
If other family members get sick, it is worth minimizing the child’s contact with them. This will protect the weakened body from reinfection.
In conclusion
For the treatment of barking cough in children, which is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature, you can use not only medicines, but also alternative medicine. However, it is worth considering that even if all the recommendations are followed, the therapy process can take a long time. Attacks will bother the child less often if daily wet cleaning and ventilation is provided. In addition, the patient should have a complete diet with a high content of beneficial components and vitamins.