Wet cough in the baby

Cough reflex often works as a protective mechanism, not allowing various foreign particles and irritants to penetrate into the lungs. Cough can be triggered by germs, dust, gaseous substances or smoke. Wet coughing in the child promotes the release of irritant components to the outside simultaneously with the release of a special mucous lubricant, which captures unwanted elements and removes them from the bronchi.

Causes of wet cough in a child

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

• infectious respiratory diseases, involving in the process of the upper respiratory tract;
• inflammation of the lungs at the stage of convalescence, croupous pneumonia, influenza pneumonia;
• allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma;
• obstruction of the bronchi, inflammation in the bronchi;
• pulmonary abscess;
• tuberculosis of the lungs.

Differentiation of the underlying disease can be observed by observing the nature of the secretions:

• with inflammation of the trachea or bronchi, sputum is usually abundant, expectorates in a rather large amount;
• in acute inflammatory process, the mucus is clear, watery, without impurities;
• at an inflammation of lungs the sputum can have rusty color;
• with abscess or bronchoectatic disease there may be an admixture of pus in the mucous secretion;
• with bronchial asthma, dense vitreous sputum is excreted;
• when tuberculous lesions in the mucus, there are traces of fresh blood.

Wet coughing is not always a sign of an approaching recovery: sometimes such a symptom can lead to a number of complications, so it must be treated.

[1], [2], [3]

Treatment of a wet cough in a child

It is noteworthy that the secretion of mucosal secretions in young children is more severe than in adults. The reason for this is the inadequate development of the respiratory muscles, which contribute to the evacuation of mucus from the bronchi. Delayed sputum in the respiratory tract can provoke the appearance of inflammatory foci, which significantly slows the recovery process.

It is for this reason that the main task in the treatment of children is liquefaction of mucus and acceleration of excretion of sputum.

A typical treatment regimen using pharmacies should be prescribed taking into account the possible allergies to medicines in the child.

In addition to the medicines that we will discuss below, it is recommended to use light breast massage - this facilitates the excretion of mucus, especially in the allergic nature of the disease.

From the age of 5, it is permitted to resort to steam procedures - inhalations, with the addition of plant components (plants), essential oil, sodium hydrogen carbonate.

The child must provide all the conditions for an early recovery. To prevent the disease from being prolonged, the baby's room should be ventilated, warm (optimum + 20 ° C), clean. The presence of dust or cigarette smoke adversely affects children's lungs. Moreover, it is desirable to remove from the room where the sick child is, things that accumulate dust: large soft toys, thick carpets. Do not use chemicals like aerosol fresheners, paints, etc.

Air in the room should not be dry, as it dries the airways and prevents the formation of sputum. The optimal humidity values are from 40 to 60%.

It is advisable for the child to drink as often as possible. Depending on the age, it can be tea, warm mineral water without gas, compotes, fruit drinks, etc.

Do not limit the motor activity of the baby. Games, walks, gymnastic exercises favorably affect the removal of mucus in the respiratory system.

Drugs from a damp cough in a child

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 in the first place. However, now the medical specialists have become more selective in terms of treatment and when prescribing a certain type of medication, they start from the reasons that caused the cough.

If a cough occurs with the release of sputum, then suppress it is not necessary, and even extremely undesirable. It is important to understand that with the cessation of cough the respiratory tract from mucus will no longer be cleared. Therefore, in the first place, it is necessary to ensure unimpeded separation of the mucous secretions. And with the cessation of discharge will pass and cough.

And yet, what drugs are most often used to treat a child's cough?

• Antibiotics. Of course, the cough reflex itself can not serve as an excuse for prescribing antibiotics. Such therapy is used only with confirmed microbial infection of the respiratory system and with direct damage to the lungs. The 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.
• Antitussive and expectorants. Antitussives are prescribed only with a dry cough without mucus secretion. Such drugs include butamirate, pentoxinverin, glaucin, etc. If the child suffers a cough, then instead of antitussive drugs it is better to offer him a spoonful of natural honey, a cup of warm milk with soda, tea with raspberries, etc. Drugs that improve sputum discharge are allowed. This can be an altein root syrup, Bronchicum, breastfeeds, Dr. Mom, Pertussin, Solutan, Coldrex Bronho, Thermopsis, etc. The more productive a cough, the faster the healing process will begin.
• Mucolytic means. They are prescribed for increased viscosity of mucus. In such cases it is recommended to use acetylcysteine (ATSTS), which is allowed for use in pediatrics. If the sputum is purulent, then Pulmozyme, which significantly reduces the viscosity of the mucus, can be prescribed. Pulmozim is an inhalant that is recommended for use in a nebulizer.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs. Corticosteroids are prescribed mainly in bronchial asthma. You can use beclomethasone, fluticasone for inhalations, and also a solution for nebulizer Pulmicort. An alternative can be an anti-inflammatory drug Fenspiride (Erespal in the form of a syrup of 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, babies from 1 year - from 2 to 4 st. Spoons per day.

Treatment usually brings relief after the first two days of admission. If there is no effect from the drug, you should contact the doctor for correction of the treatment regimen.

[4], [5], [6]

Herbs from a wet cough in a child

Most often, when coughing with phlegm from herbal preparations, doctors prescribe special pampering sessions, which are sold in pharmacies in the form of ready-made herbal mixtures. However, it is possible to use other combinations of medicinal plants:

• prepare an equivalent mixture of oregano, altea, mother-and-stepmother. Eight grams of mixture pour 0.5 liters of hot water and insist for about an hour and a half. Offer a child at ½-1 st. L. For older children, you can consume about 100 ml of a drink;
• prepare a multicomponent mixture of an equal amount of anise, althaea, sage, dill seeds, licorice and pine buds. To insist and give to the child, as in the previous recipe;
• boil the viburnum (berries) for 3 minutes, grind, add an equal amount of natural honey. Give the child on a teaspoon throughout the day, preferably after eating;
• rub into the chest warmed badger fat, preferably at night, for 4-5 days.

Children from 6 years can use steam inhalation with the addition of eucalyptus, mint, peach, pine needles or anise oil. It is useful to add in the solution for inhalation infusion of chamomile (or Romazulan), infusion of calendula, as well as sea buckthorn, rosehip, rosemary, almonds. You can also use plants that have a phytoncidal effect: garlic or onions.

From vegetable infusions and teas expectorant properties have ayr, primrose, violet, mother-and-stepmother. Liquefy phlegm infusions of althaea, sweet clover, Ledum.

If the wet coughing of a child is delayed, then before going to sleep, you can put a mustard for 15 minutes on the upper third of the thoracic cage (if there is no allergy) or a warming compress. However, when a cough does not pass more than a week, then a doctor's consultation is simply necessary.