Dry cough in a child: how to treat at home?

Cough is a fairly frequent symptom that accompanies a cold in a child. With the penetration of the virus into the children's body, the respiratory organs are damaged. Because of this, in the throat of the baby begins to tickle, a feeling of slight irritation, a natural desire to cough. Symptom should not be ignored, so as not to aggravate the problem.

When a child develops a cold, a sputum is produced in the body, thereby easing the throat. However, after some time, when the manifestations of the disease disappear, sputum excretion will be slowed down, the larynx dries out, resulting in a dry cough.

What danger is a dry cough in a child?

A dry cough is a reaction of the child’s body to an infection that has settled in it. You should know that, oddly enough, but the cough is considered useful because it assists the patient so that he can get rid of harmful substances - microbes, viruses, mucus. However, when breathing is harsh, the airways cannot free themselves, the baby cannot cough up. In the body of a child with an immunity weakened against the background of the disease, all metabolic processes are difficult to proceed, in particular, protection against infectious diseases.

Dry cough leads to the fact that the child is recovering much slower, because there is not the removal of mucus from the lungs, and drying and absorption into the body of the child. Therein lies the danger of dry cough. Therefore, it should begin to heal as quickly as possible.

What diseases can cause dry cough?

• acute rotavirus infections;
• pleurisy;
• tracheitis;
• laryngitis;
• whooping cough;
• bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• swelling in the respiratory system;
• the presence in the lungs or airway of a foreign object.

Parents must pay attention and immediately show the baby to the doctor if he has an erupting, barking cough after eating. This is a sign of food particles entering the airways. If nothing is done, it will reach the paths in the respiratory organs or the forks of the bronchi and block them. In addition, stuck in any area, such a piece will not undergo the process of chemical splitting, as a result of which it will rot.

Dry cough, which occurs in children during sleep, may be a manifestation of sinusitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough, heart failure, while attacks in the morning usually signal a chronic form of bronchitis, an impairment in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The doctor must deal with the diagnosis.

Signs of dry cough

It is usually quite easy to detect a dry cough in a baby.Attacks occur several times a day, can be intrusive, then they can not be held. And he is similar to a dog barking, so differently called barking.

In general, attacks begin abruptly, unexpectedly, accompanied by spasms. Sometimes do not pass for a long time.

Such a cough breaks a child’s night sleep, may be accompanied by fever, but this is not always the case. In some cases, vomiting occurs due to a strong attack.

How to treat dry cough?

When a dry cough appears in a child, it is necessary to take him as soon as possible to the pediatrician so that he prescribes a suitable treatment. In this case, it is impossible to select drugs on our own, otherwise dangerous consequences can be provoked. The method of treatment should be chosen only by a doctor. Below are the most effective and most commonly used treatments.

Medicines
Pharmacies sell a lot of dry cough remedies.

1. One of the most effective of these is Bronholitin syrup. It consists of herbal ingredients, so it does not pose a danger to crumbs.The drug begins to act around the third day. For this reason, experts advise starting the application immediately after the first manifestations of dry cough are found.
2. Another effective remedy is Paxeladine syrup. It eliminates spasms in a short time, helps to soften the throat. Suitable for treatment and wet cough.
3. Biocalyptol. The release form of this antitussive is a syrup that is intended for children, and therefore has a pleasant sweet aftertaste.
4. If the coughing baby's body temperature is not elevated, when choosing a cough medicine, preference should be given to such a medicine, the effect of which will be aimed at reducing spasm, removing sputum from the lungs, and reducing throat. These drugs combined action include Codelac, Codeterpin. You can use them for the treatment of cough in children older than two years.

Along with drug therapy, it is recommended to use traditional medicine that will help speed up the healing process.

Inhalation
The method of treatment of dry cough, which has already been tested by a single generation, is the use of inhalation.They are considered a very effective procedure in which attacks are reduced, and the throat is softened. You can use a nebulizer for these purposes, or simply breathe over the steam.

In order to carry out the procedure, you need to make a healing decoction with the help of medicinal plants. For these purposes, sage, chamomile, eucalyptus is well suited. You need to take dried grass, pour boiling water and cover with a lid. After infusion (after about half an hour), pour 500 ml of broth into the saucepan, add a small amount of boiling water and carry out the procedure during which the child must breathe over the steam. In this case, he needs to cover his head. It is necessary to explain to the baby that he breathes as deeply as possible.

Compresses
This method of treatment for a long time not passing dry cough is suitable if the child does not have a fever. But we must remember that it is allowed to carry out the procedure only after coordination of this issue with the doctor, who, after listening to the baby, will say whether he can warm up or not.

Dry cough compress is made on the basis of potatoes, which must be crushed, honey and vegetable oil.The ingredients are thoroughly mixed, after which the composition is applied to the chest. Top should be wrapped with cling film and a warm scarf. Compress should be left at least four hours. It is allowed not to shoot it all night. Mustard plasters have a similar warming effect.

Phytotherapy
Medicines are able to quickly get rid of cough. However, some kids they are not suitable. This usually happens when a child has an individual intolerance to the components of certain drugs. In this case, medicinal herbs will come to the rescue, which are sometimes no less effective.

Plants that have expectorant and mucolytic action are thyme, coltsfoot, licorice. They help to remove mucus from the lungs. From these herbs are made infusions and decoctions. For effective treatment, it is enough to pour boiling water and wait for a couple of tablespoons of one of the indicated plant to be drawn. In a similar way, it is possible to cure a dry cough in a child. In the course of therapy in the home can be used not only herbal remedies, but also other means of traditional medicine.

Folk remedies for cough

It is necessary that the means by which the treatment of the child will be carried out are absolutely natural, then they will not harm the sensitive children's organism. This requirement is met by time-tested folk methods of dry cough therapy.

But all the same, before embarking on such treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. In addition, you must first make sure that the baby is not allergic to the product that you plan to use.

Milk
This tool - of course, occupies a leading position among all, helping to get rid of debilitating cough. It is important - only warm milk can be used. The following treatment options are possible:

1. Milk with butter. 250 ml is taken a tablespoon of oil. For these purposes, you can use cream or cocoa butter. If desired, add honey.
2. Milk with honey. For babies, a small amount of honey is added to warm drinks, and for older children, nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices are allowed. The added baking soda (П tsp) will also bring benefits, but not all kids will like this drink.
3. Milk with mineral water. Drinks are mixed in equal proportions. It should be borne in mind that mineral water should be taken alkaline, or add soda, but this will significantly spoil the taste of the finished product.
4. Milk with figs. This recipe allows the use of both fresh and dried fruit. In the first case, about 250 pieces of milk will be required for 250 ml of milk, adding which to the product should be boiled for one minute and, after cooling, can be drunk. In the second, the fruits should be put in cool milk for 30 minutes so that they soften and only after that put on two minutes for a fire.
5. Propolis. When not passing attacks, you can use this tool, but only if the baby is older than one year. A couple of drops of propolis water tincture are taken and added to a third of a glass of milk.
6. Ginger root. The product is crushed with a grater and poured with one and a half liters of fresh milk, a couple of tablespoons of green tea is added. Put the composition on the stove and wait until it boils. Insist half an hour. Breast children can not be treated with this tool.
7. Milk and banana. Fresh fruit is ground to puree, milk is added.Tasty and effective cough medicine is ready.
8. Coniferous milk. For the preparation of such funds will require pine buds. 50 grams of raw materials must be boiled in 500 ml of milk for 15 minutes. Take in small doses - in a couple-three sips at regular intervals throughout the day. The daily dosage is one cup of the product.
9. Milk with garlic. Although it cannot boast such a taste, it is one of the best in its effectiveness. A few cloves of garlic must be peeled and boiled in a liter of milk until they are softened. Add oil if desired. For the treatment of cough in very young children is not recommended.

Eggnog
Eggnog is an effective and harmless remedy that helps you quickly get rid of attacks of dry cough. For cooking you will need yolk, a small amount of honey and granulated sugar. Before you start cooking, make sure that the product is fresh. The yolk is whipped with sugar until a homogeneous consistency. Tasty medicine baby should drink up to four times a day for dessert spoon.The tool helps to soften the throat, relieve irritation. The recommended dose is diluted in 100 ml of preheated milk so that the child drinks. If he has no allergic reactions to bee products, you can add honey. Children over three years old are allowed to add a spoonful of cocoa powder to the medicine. This tool helps to improve sleep, speeding up the healing process.

Dry cough massage

With the help of cocoa butter, the coughing baby is massaged by gently rubbing it in the chest and back areas. If the baby is more than two years old, you can melt the lard, add a few drops of camphor oil and honey, and with this composition make a massage. Usually, after using such a remedy, an improvement in the condition occurs quickly. Massaged chest and back, up impose tissue wipes and leave for three hours. After this time with the help of cotton swabs, the remnants of the composition are removed, the skin is carefully wiped off.

A soothing effect on the respiratory organs of compresses with potatoes, low-fat cottage cheese, as well as massage of the chest, feet and hands.

Cough lozenges

Bits that do not know how to suck on candy can dissolve such sugar in boiling water in a ratio of 1:20. The resulting syrup offer baby in the amount of one tablespoon after a meal. If desired, you can add berry juice or honey to the candy.

Temperature increases with dry cough.

Not in all cases, if the child coughs dryly, his temperature rises. It is allowed to cure such a cough at home only until it is raised. If a similar symptom occurs, you should immediately call a doctor. The high temperature indicates that the process of sucking mucus into the baby’s blood has begun, which can affect the internal organs.In such a situation, the doctor will prescribe antibacterial drugs to the baby. When choosing an antibiotic, such factors as possible individual intolerance, age, body weight of a small patient, the reason that caused the deterioration of the condition are taken into account.

If the baby has a dry cough for a week, if there is no sign of recovery, it is necessary to visit a doctor. Child health is the most precious thing that parents have, so you need to take care of it and treat it with all responsibility and care.

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