A cough in a child (symptoms and treatment will be discussed in detail in this article) is always a pretty big problem. Moreover, as medical statistics show, most parents go to hospitals with this symptom. This is due to the fact that a fragile children's body has low resistance to various viruses, so they often suffer from acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia and bronchitis. Therefore, every adult should know the main symptoms and methods of treating cough in babies. This and much more will be discussed later.
Causes of Cough
This is worth dwelling in more detail. By and large, coughing is not a disease as such. This is a kind of protective reaction of our body aimed at cleansing the lungs, so if the cough in children has a short-term periodic nature during the illness, then there is nothing wrong with this, since this is considered normal. Another thing is if it does not pass for a long period of time.
In this case, the causes of coughing in children (treatment with drugs and folk remedies will be described a little later) may be as follows:
- flu;
- various infectious diseases;
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx;
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- postnasal syndrome;
- inflammation of the maxillary sinuses;
- bronchial asthma.
It is worth noting that the syndrome can also be associated with congenital heredity, CHD, or abnormalities in the development of the bronchopulmonary system, however, this is rarely diagnosed in babies and is considered an exception to the rule rather than a generally accepted trend. An allergic cough is more common. Symptoms and treatment in children may vary and depend on the individual characteristics of the body. In any case, you should not leave this problem unattended and self-medicate. It is best to take the child to a doctor who will examine him, prescribe all the necessary tests and select the optimal treatment program.
Cough control in babies under three years of age
A similar symptom in a child is most often caused by a common acute respiratory viral infection, which adults are also susceptible to, especially during the epidemic. If the therapy was started on time, then the symptoms completely disappear within two weeks, however, if the cough treatment in children 3 years old is carried out on their own, then the healing process can be significantly delayed. In addition, ARVI is able to give various serious complications, so it is best to show the baby to a profiled specialist.
In addition, therapy should be carried out in compliance with the following recommendations:
- Since in the room in which the patient is located, the virus is in the air, so it must be regularly ventilated.
- The baby should be given daily to drink at least one liter of liquid. Raspberry and linden tea is best suited for this. This will not only reduce intoxication, but also have a positive effect on expectoration, as a result of which the treatment will be more effective.
- Maintaining room temperature at a level of 18-20 degrees and humidity - from 40 to 50 percent. To do this, it is better to use a humidifier, which can be bought at any hardware store. Alternatively, you can hang a wet towel on the battery.
- Bed rest with physical and emotional peace.
Many parents prefer to treat cough in a child without fever at home without visiting a doctor.
However, they make the following mistakes:
- inappropriate diet for babies who have a food allergy;
- the use of drugs that block the removal of sputum from the bronchi;
- the use of several types of drugs that have the same effect;
- inhalation using non-sterile drugs, which only exacerbates the situation.
It is worth noting that if the disease does not go away for a long time, and is also accompanied by catarrhal and intoxication symptoms, then cough treatment in children 3 years old should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor.
When do I need to sound the alarm?
In order to quickly and with minimal consequences defeat the syndrome (especially when it comes to an allergic cough in a child), treatment should be comprehensive and take place as planned under the supervision of a specialist. Therefore, with a visit to the hospital is better not to delay much. Emergency medical care is needed for babies who are diagnosed with respiratory failure and bronchial asthma. Also, a deterioration in the patient's condition, accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, can be a cause for concern. This poses a great threat to health, therefore, therapy should take place on an outpatient basis.
How to make a baby feel better and relieve coughing attacks?
This issue should be given special importance. Rapid treatment of cough in children is carried out only by a specialist, especially in the presence of any complications. Therefore, each parent should have an idea of how to help their child and rid him of bouts of the syndrome.
To at least slightly improve the well-being of the baby, doctors recommend doing the following:
- regularly ventilate the room in which the patient is in order to provide him with fresh air;
- place pillows under the back so that the child is in an elevated position;
- if the syndrome manifests itself strongly and is accompanied by an attack of suffocation, then the resorption of mint candy will help to make you feel better;
- in the presence of concomitant viral diseases, such as pertussis, laryngitis and others, cough treatment in children 3 years old should be accompanied by grinding of the upper limbs and foot baths in hot water;
- if the baby suffers from bronchial asthma, then the baby needs to be inhaled with drugs such as Salbutamol or Berodual.
It is also very important to support the baby in every possible way with conversations and stroking. If after the done actions the attack fails, then you should call an ambulance.
What if the baby has a fever and does not expectorate expectoration?
Treatment of dry cough in a child of 3 years, accompanied by a high body temperature (about 39 degrees and above), should take place strictly on an outpatient basis, since this indicates the presence of acute viral diseases, bronchitis or pneumonia. If the temperature lasts for several days and does not go away, then the baby should be shown to the pediatrician as soon as possible, who in most cases prescribes an X-ray examination and antiviral drugs.
If children have a cough and fever, treatment involves ensuring an adequate water regimen for the patient. Consuming large amounts of fluid will improve sputum excretion. In addition, all the doctor's prescriptions should be strictly observed, taking the prescribed antitussive drugs.
If within two weeks there will be no improvement in the well-being of the baby, then this indicates the presence of complications. In some cases, ARVI can flow into pneumonia caused by intracellular microorganisms, which subsequently gives rise to tuberculous processes. In order to timely identify the ailment, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis, as well as an x-ray of the internal organs in the chest area.
How to treat a baby if expectoration has gone?
So what do you need to know about this? What treatment is needed for a wet cough in a 3-year-old child? This is one of the most common questions. It is important to understand that the root cause behind the syndrome, its nature and duration will affect the choice of medicines.
Expectorant indicates that trachea accumulates mucus, which the body is trying to remove. Therapy in this case is aimed at changing the physical and chemical properties of sputum to make it less viscous and improve expectoration. Doctors prescribe patients with wet cough drugs with mukokinetic and mucoregulatory properties. They are sold both in capsule form and in syrup form.
It is worth noting that the treatment of a barking cough in a child of 3 years, when the baby is having a normal expectoration, should be carried out in compliance with all the tips and recommendations described earlier in this article.
Treatment recommendations if there is no temperature
An increase in body temperature indicates intoxication of the body. However, in its absence, the baby may develop concomitant diseases of the respiratory system, among which the most common are stenosing laryngitis and bronchial asthma. In this case, coughing attacks are pronounced especially at night, and it is also difficult for the child to exhale air.
In this scenario, drug therapy is aimed at combating bronchial obstruction and removing swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. For this, hormonal and bronchodilator drugs are used, which are administered intramuscularly or by inhalation. Antihistamines and antiviral agents may also be included in the course of treatment.
What to do if the syndrome is caused by allergic reactions?
Let's dwell on this in more detail. An allergic cough should be put in a separate place. Symptoms and treatment in children in this case are interrelated.
You can distinguish such a cough from usual by the following signs:
- sudden rolling attacks;
- runny nose;
- sneezing
- sore throat;
- itching in the nasopharynx;
- lacrimation of the eyes;
- pain in the chest during inhalation.
At the same time, body temperature can be both normal and increase. The same applies to expectoration.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the following studies are required:
- general and biochemical blood analysis;
- an x-ray of the internal organs of the thoracic region;
- analysis of expectorant mucus;
- epidermal tests for allergens.
If an allergic cough in a child is confirmed, treatment is carried out with the use of drugs aimed at stopping the body's response to the pathogen, as well as its elimination. In most cases, allergies are caused by household dust or pets. In the first case, regular cleaning of the premises will help to eliminate the problem, and in the second - limiting the contact of the child with animals.
The most common cough suppressants
Currently, there are many. Most often, cough treatment in children 3 years old occurs with the use of various tablets, medicines and syrups. Today, pharmacies have a huge assortment of various medications, so it’s very difficult to choose a specific remedy that is highly effective and affordable.
When buying, you need to consider not only contraindications and side effects, but also the composition, indications for use and dosage.
Most Russian doctors recommend the following medications to their patients:
- "Mukaltin" - brown pills. The active ingredient is marshmallow extract, calcium stearate, tartaric acid and baking soda act as additional components. The advantage of this tool is naturalness and high efficiency in the treatment of various types of cough.
- Bromhexine is another popular drug with an expectorant effect. They are produced on a plant basis, therefore they are completely harmless and safe, which makes it possible to give them even to small children.
- Gedelix is a product manufactured as a German-made syrup. It is made entirely from plant components, among which the main ones are climbing ivy leaves.
- "Omnicus" - is prescribed for babies under the age of three years with a dry cough. The active substance is butamirate, which helps to expand the bronchi and improve expectoration.
- "Ambroxol" - good pills for wet cough. Stimulate the excretion of mucus, making it less viscous.
Also on sale are many other equally effective drugs. However, before taking them, you should consult your doctor.
In addition, it is recommended to adhere to the following tips of the famous doctor Komarovsky:
- ventilate the room regularly and do wet cleaning;
- protect your baby from cigarette smoke and other pungent odors;
- provide plenty of drink.
Only taking treatment seriously can you quickly defeat the ailment and minimize the development of serious complications.
Some tips from traditional medicine
Home treatment for cough in children can also be very effective if you use some of the recommendations that our ancestors used for many centuries. However, you should understand that the body of a child at the age of three is not yet fully strengthened and can respond to decoctions and infusions in completely different ways, and there can also be various side effects, so use them with extreme caution.
One of the most effective and safe means are:
- warm boiled milk;
- infusions prepared from medicinal plants such as plantain, coltsfoot, fennel and caraway seeds;
- herbal fees, which can be found in any pharmacy;
- agave juice.
As regards wellness procedures, postural drainage and vibration massage of the chest area are well established. Physiotherapy - electrophoresis is also widely practiced. Such courses of treatment can be taken in many state medical institutions or private clinics.
It is worth noting that no matter how effective the traditional methods of treating cough may be, nevertheless, it is best to contact any disease with a hospital where you will be provided with qualified help. Always take care of the health of your baby, because you can’t buy it for any money.