Coughing is not always a symptom of any disease. This may be a simple protective reaction to the ingestion of a foreign body or dust. But if a child is tormented by a debilitating cough for several days, parents should be alarmed. A symptom of a viral disease can be just a wet cough, which is characterized by the release of a special mucus from the respiratory tract - sputum.
When is coughing considered the norm?
During the life of a healthy person, including a child, mucus accumulates in the larynx. It is with the help of a cough that the body removes it. An absolutely healthy baby can cough up to 10 times a day. This is especially true for babies who may choke on milk. A cough may also accompany a teething period. At this time, a large amount of saliva is released in the baby.
If a completely healthy child begins to cough sharply and cannot stop, this may indicate a foreign object getting into the respiratory tract. This situation is quite dangerous for the baby’s life and requires immediate intervention by a specialist. If the child has a strong wet cough, it can be cured at home, observing all the recommendations of the pediatrician.
Alarm bells
In no case should a cough caused by a viral infection be triggered. Complications may appear that will require a longer and more expensive treatment. Parents are advised to immediately go to the doctor if the baby has a fever and he refuses to eat. Most viral infections are accompanied by fever. If she lasts more than a day and does not go astray, the doctor will offer to go to hospital. Under round-the-clock supervision, the child will be able to recover much faster.
Wheezing during coughing attacks is also considered a bad signal. It is no coincidence that the pediatrician at the reception first listens to the child. Suspecting inflammation, the pediatrician will prescribe an additional examination. X-rays will help determine the presence of an inflammatory process.
As soon as possible, you should consult a therapist if a long wet cough in your child does not allow you to fall asleep or blood impurities appear in sputum. Chest pain can also be a symptom of an onset of inflammation.
Why does a wet cough start?
Before you understand how to cure a wet cough, it is worth understanding its nature. In most cases, such a cough is a consequence of an infectious disease of the respiratory system. To a large extent, the production of bronchial secretion, which irritates the mucous membrane, increases.
Serious causes of wet cough are considered diseases such as tuberculosis, lung abscess, pneumonia in remission. Therefore, it is impossible to leave a cough in a child without attention. Especially if it lasts for a long time and positive dynamics are not observed.
The causes of a wet cough in a baby can also be associated with a runny nose. When lying down, mucus from the nose can enter the larynx, causing a cough. In this case, the treatment will be aimed at removing mucus and the use of vasoconstrictor drugs.
Sputum examination
The nature and nature of the disease helps determine sputum tests. So, profuse sputum indicates the presence of tracheitis or bronchitis in the child. Pneumonia is accompanied by sputum with a rusty color. With bronchial asthma, viscous translucent sputum is observed. The most dangerous symptom is sputum mixed with blood and pus. This situation can be observed with advanced tuberculosis or lung abscess.
The doctor can conduct a
study of mucus if the diagnosis of the disease is complicated. Laboratory analysis helps to quickly identify the cause of cough and prescribe the right treatment.
Treatment of wet cough in children
Wet cough in a child requires a special approach. The fact is that sputum in babies departs much more complicated than in adults. This is due to the fact that the muscles, which should push out the mucus, are not yet fully developed. In no case should mucus be allowed to stay in the airways for a long time. Wet cough, temperature in a child may indicate the development of an infectious disease. At the same time, sputum is an ideal medium for the rapid reproduction of bacteria.
To facilitate sputum discharge, the doctor will first suggest using medication. Mucolytic agents are used that contribute to the formation of mucus. Sputum becomes less viscous and quickly leaves the respiratory tract of the child. All expectorants for children are divided into herbal and synthetic preparations. They practically do not differ in efficiency. But natural medicines are less harmful to children's health.
Parents in no case should deal with the treatment of the child on their own. A huge mistake will be the use of antitussive drugs. Syrup for children from a wet cough should be prescribed by a pediatrician. Improper drug treatment will contribute to the sedimentation of mucus on the walls of the respiratory tract and the appearance of complications.
Coughing
Most drugs that help sputum discharge are for babies over a year old. The question arises: "What is the treatment for a wet cough in a child if the baby is still so small?" A great helper in this matter is breast milk. It not only promotes sputum thinning, but also strengthens the baby’s immune system.
A gentle massage with the use of warming balms has a positive effect. Such ointments as Doctor Mom, Lazolvan and Eucabal are popular. But they should be used strictly for the purpose of the pediatrician. The specialist will show how to properly rub the back and chest in order to quickly defeat a wet cough. The temperature in the child is a contraindication for the use of warming balms. This must be remembered.
Inhalation
Treatment of wet cough in children is not limited to the use of medications alone. Perfectly overcome the disease help inhalation using saline and medicinal herbs. This method is the most gentle and safe for children's health. The only problem is that only a child older than five years old can do the inhalation correctly.
Inhalation of a child with a wet cough can be done at home. An ordinary pan is suitable for the procedure. Water is boiled in it with the addition of herbs. You need to breathe hot steam for at least ten minutes.
It is safer and easier to carry out inhalation using a nebulizer. In domestic pharmacies there are two types of devices - ultrasonic and compression. The former are much more popular. They work almost silently and have small dimensions.
Folk remedies
At the beginning of the last century, few could afford medical treatment. In this case, a wet cough in a child was considered quite common. Our grandmothers knew how to treat him. Folk remedies today will not be able to replace drugs from the pharmacy, but they will completely contribute to a speedy recovery.
A plentiful warm drink improves the effect of expectorants. It is good if it is not just tea or cocoa, but a drink from medicinal herbs. Chamomile tea or a hot drink from blackcurrant has a therapeutic effect. If a wet cough has begun in a child, than every mother should know how to treat it. An indispensable means is warm milk with honey. Vitamins and minerals contained in honey, strengthen the immune system and contribute to the rapid recovery of the baby.
Go to the street
The key to successful recovery is not only the correct use of medicines, but also compliance with the daily routine. Walking in the fresh air will help you overcome your cough faster. Ailment - not a reason to be indoors. The only contraindication is fever.
"Wet cough in a child than to treat?" - This question is better to ask the pediatrician. If the baby feels well, a children's clinic should go on foot.
During the illness, it is worth protecting the baby from communicating with peers. Walking should be useful for both the child and others. It is worth remembering that coughing contributes to the spread of infection.