Wet cough in a baby

The cough reflex most often functions as a protective mechanism, preventing various foreign particles and irritants from entering the lungs. Coughing can be caused by microbes, dust, gaseous substances or smoke. A wet cough in a child helps irritants to come out simultaneously with the release of a special mucous lubricant that captures unwanted elements and removes them from the bronchi.

Causes of wet cough in a child

The appearance of a wet cough in childhood may be associated with the following diseases:

• infectious respiratory diseases involving the upper respiratory tract;
• pneumonia at the stage of recovery, lobar pneumonia, influenza pneumonia;
• allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma;
• bronchial obstruction, inflammatory process in the bronchi;
• lung abscess;
• tuberculosis of the lungs.

The underlying disease can be differentiated by observing the nature of the discharge:

• in case of inflammation of the trachea or bronchi, sputum is usually abundant and is coughed up in fairly large quantities;
• in acute inflammatory processes, mucus is transparent, watery, without impurities;
• with pneumonia, sputum may have a rusty color;
• in case of an abscess or bronchiectasis, there may be an admixture of pus in the mucous secretion;
• in bronchial asthma, thick glassy sputum is secreted;
• In case of tuberculosis, traces of fresh blood appear in the mucus.

A wet cough is not always a sign of impending recovery: sometimes such a symptom can lead to a number of complications, so it is necessary to treat it.

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Treatment of wet cough in a child

It is noteworthy that the secretion of mucus in small children is more difficult than in adults. The reason for this is the insufficient development of the respiratory muscles, which facilitate the evacuation of mucus from the bronchi. The retention of sputum in the respiratory tract can provoke the appearance of inflammatory foci, which significantly slows down the recovery process.

It is for this reason that the main task in treating children is to thin mucus and speed up the removal of phlegm.

The usual treatment regimen using pharmaceutical drugs should be prescribed taking into account the child’s possible drug allergy.

In addition to the medications that we will discuss below, it is recommended to use a light breast massage - this facilitates the removal of mucus, especially if the disease is of an allergic nature.

From the age of 5, it is allowed to resort to steam procedures - inhalations, with the addition of herbal components (plants), essential oil, sodium bicarbonate.

The child must be provided with all the conditions for a speedy recovery. To prevent the illness from dragging on, the baby's room must be ventilated, warm (optimally +20°C), and clean. The presence of dust or cigarette smoke has a negative effect on children's lungs. Moreover, it is advisable to remove from the room where the sick child is, things that accumulate dust: large soft toys, thick carpets. Do not use chemicals such as aerosol air fresheners, paints, etc.

The air in the room should not be dry, as this dries out the respiratory tract and prevents the formation of phlegm. Optimal air humidity levels are from 40 to 60%.

It is advisable to give the child something to drink as often as possible. Depending on age, this could be tea, warm mineral water without gas, compotes, fruit drinks, etc.

You should not limit the baby's motor activity. Games, walks, gymnastic exercises have a beneficial effect on the discharge of mucus in the respiratory system.

Medicines for wet cough in children

Medicines for the treatment of wet cough have been used for a long time, because many doctors considered any cough as a symptom of the disease, and sought to get rid of it first. However, now medical specialists have become more selective in terms of treatment and when prescribing a certain type of medication, they proceed from the reasons that caused the cough.

If the cough is accompanied by the release of sputum, then there is no need to suppress it, and it is even highly undesirable. It is important to understand that when the cough stops, the respiratory tract will stop clearing itself of mucus. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to ensure unimpeded separation of mucus secretion. And when the secretions stop, the cough will also go away.

And yet, what medications are most often used to treat children's cough?

• Antibiotics. Of course, the cough reflex itself cannot serve as a reason for prescribing antibiotics. Such therapy is used only in case of confirmed microbial infection of the respiratory organs and direct damage to the lungs. A recognized effect can be expected from such medications as erythromycin (50 mg/kg per day) or clarithromycin (15 mg/kg per day) for 1.5-2 weeks.
• Antitussives and expectorants. Antitussives are prescribed only for dry cough without mucus secretion. Such drugs include butamirate, pentoxyverine, glaucine, etc. If a child suffers from a coughing fit, then instead of antitussives, it is better to offer him a spoonful of natural honey, a cup of warm milk with soda, tea with raspberries, etc. It is allowed to use drugs that improve sputum discharge. This can be marshmallow root syrup, Bronchicum, breast collections, Doctor Mom, Pertussin, Solutan, Coldrex Broncho, Thermopsis, etc. The more productive the cough, the faster the recovery process will begin.
• Mucolytic agents. They are prescribed for increased mucus viscosity. In such cases, it is recommended to use acetylcysteine (ACC), which is approved for use in pediatrics. If the sputum is purulent, then Pulmozyme can be prescribed, which significantly reduces the viscosity of mucus. Pulmozyme is an inhalation agent that is recommended for use in a nebulizer.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs. Corticosteroids are prescribed mainly for bronchial asthma. You can use beclomethasone, fluticasone for inhalation, as well as Pulmicort nebulizer solution. An alternative may be the anti-inflammatory drug Fenspiride (Erespal in the form of syrup 2 mg per ml), which has virtually no side effects, but acts as an effective antispasmodic. The drug is used in a dosage of 4 mg / kg per day, for children from 1 year old - from 2 to 4 tablespoons per day.

Treatment usually brings relief after the first two days of taking it. If there is no effect from the drug, you should consult a doctor to adjust the treatment regimen.

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Herbs for wet cough in children

Most often, when coughing with phlegm from herbal preparations, doctors prescribe special chest collections, which are sold in pharmacies in the form of ready-made herbal mixtures. However, other combinations of medicinal plants can also be used:

• prepare an equal mixture of oregano, marshmallow, and coltsfoot. Pour 8 grams of the mixture into 0.5 liters of hot water and leave for about an hour and a half. Offer the child ½-1 tbsp. Older children can drink about 100 ml of the drink;
• prepare a multi-component mixture of equal amounts of anise, marshmallow, sage, dill seeds, licorice and pine buds. Infuse and give to the child as in the previous recipe;
• boil viburnum (berries) for 3 minutes, grind, add an equal amount of natural honey. Give to the child on a teaspoon throughout the day, preferably after meals;
• Rub heated badger fat into the chest, preferably at night, for 4-5 days.

Children over 6 years old can use steam inhalations with the addition of eucalyptus, mint, peach, pine or anise oil. It is useful to add chamomile infusion (or Romazulan), calendula infusion, as well as sea buckthorn, rose hips, rosemary, almonds to the inhalation solution. You can also use plants with phytoncidal action: garlic or onion.

Among herbal infusions and teas, calamus, primrose, violet, and coltsfoot have expectorant properties. Infusions of marshmallow, sweet clover, and wild rosemary thin phlegm.

If a child's wet cough has lingered, then before going to bed you can put a mustard plaster (if there is no allergy) or a warming compress on the upper third of the chest for 15 minutes. However, when the cough does not go away for more than a week, then a doctor's consultation is simply necessary.