A dry cough in children is a type of dry cough that is not accompanied by phlegm. It may be due to infection, colds, or other causes. This cough causes chest pain and shortness of breath, and if not treated and controlled, it may cause lung infections and some health problems in the respiratory system. Within Al Mousa Health Hospital, you can treat this disease under the supervision of a specialized medical team, as it is the best hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We will tell you more about its symptoms and how to diagnose and treat it correctly.
Dry cough in children
A dry cough is a dry cough that comes out of the mouth without mucus or phlegm, causing a feeling of severe pain in the throat. This cough occurs with the aim of clearing the airways of any irritants to facilitate breathing. Dry cough is often caused in children due to a weak immune system and rapid exposure to any type of infection or cold.
It may end on its own, or it may sometimes require medical and drug intervention. In addition, the primary function of cough is to expel foreign bodies that enter the respiratory tract. Dry cough may be an emergency for a few days and may continue for more than that.
Signs of dry cough in children
The symptoms of a dry cough are clear and easy to detect in children by the appearance of these symptoms. The most important signs of a dry cough in children are the following:
- Appearance of foul-smelling mucus or bloody secretions in the cough.
- Severe shortness of breath.
- The child has difficulty swallowing and pain in the throat.
- General weakness affecting the child.
- الحمى وارتفاع درجة الحرارة.
Get to know: better Methods of treating children's cough Depending on age and type of cough
Causes of dry cough in children
The causes of dry cough in children vary due to respiratory problems, allergies, or reflux in the esophagus. The most important of these causes are the following:
- Asthma is considered one of the most common causes of dry cough, which causes shortness of breath, and this cough may be accompanied by phlegm or a dry cough.
- Allergy to some causes of dry cough, such as dust, pollen, etc.
- Inhaling substances that irritate the respiratory system, including car exhaust, dust, cigarettes, and chemicals.
- Drip from the nose into the back of the throat causes irritation in the throat, leading to the appearance of a dry cough.
- Suffering from multiple types of viral infections that affect the respiratory passages and cause a dry cough.
- Infection with Covid-19, a symptom of which is a dry cough.
- Lung problems or lung cancer may cause dry cough.
- Heart failure causes a dry cough, and the cough may sometimes contain phlegm.
- A viral infection that recurs annually in children and may heal on its own without medical intervention.
- Sinus infections also cause coughing, especially at night, accompanied by headaches or allergies to some substances.
- Excess acidity that comes out of the esophagus.
- Inhaling a foreign body or dust and dirt causes irritation of the child’s respiratory system and causes a dry cough.
Book your consultation now at Pediatric Center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
Tips for dealing with dry cough in children
There is no doubt that dry cough in children causes anxiety among parents, so if your child is exposed to symptoms of dry cough, you should do the following:
- Give the child as warm liquids as possible to help him recover faster.
- Giving the child antihistamines or drugs that reduce the effect of allergies on the body in the event of seasonal allergies, but they must be under medical supervision.
- Gargling with salt water helps greatly soothe sore throat.
- Take lozenges that treat dry coughs and reduce the symptoms of colds.
- Use an air humidifier that helps get rid of the dryness that causes coughing.
- Pay attention to drinking enough water to keep the body hydrated and eliminate excess toxins from the body.
- Avoid contact with infected people.
- Ensure general hygiene and wash hands frequently, especially before eating.
- Put the child to sleep in a certain position with his head raised slightly to reduce the chance of coughing.
- Eating white honey if the child is more than a year old is an effective food that helps get rid of dry cough quickly.
- Eat warm soup or hot drinks that provide comfort and reduce coughing.
- Use menthol drops that soothe the respiratory system, but these drops must be under medical supervision.
- Give the child herbal tea such as chamomile, mint, anise and other natural herbs that help soothe and reduce coughing.
- Giving the child essential vitamins that strengthen the immune system and make the body more able to resist various diseases.
Diagnosis of dry cough in children
The doctor can diagnose the cause of dry cough in children through several different methods, including the following:
- Imaging tests via chest X-ray or CT scan.
- Spirometry, which measures lung function in cases of asthma.
- Performing an endoscopy of the digestive system to ensure that there are no problems in the stomach or esophagus.
When should you visit a doctor?
The problem of dry cough is a common health problem that affects many children at different ages, and it requires medical intervention in some cases, especially if home methods fail in treatment. A doctor must be consulted if dry cough symptoms persist for more than two weeks without improvement or if the child suffers from breathing difficulties, as well as if the child suffers from constant fatigue and exhaustion.
You should also go to the doctor quickly if there is chronic lung disease in the family, or if the results of the CT scan are not good, or if the child loses weight unexplained and the child is unable to make any effort.
Complications of dry cough
In the event of a dry cough problem in children and neglecting its treatment, the child may be exposed to some health complications, including the following:
- Feeling tired and general exhaustion.
- Pain in the muscles and chest.
- القيء والغثيان.
- Suffering from urinary incontinence due to lack of bladder control due to excessive coughing.
- Headache and headache.
Learn about: what Methods of treating cough for children؟ وما أسبابها؟
Ways to prevent dry cough
Prevention is better than cure, so you can protect your child from developing dry cough problems in children by following some tips and instructions that reduce the chance of developing a dry cough, including the following:
- Avoid causes that lead to irritation of the respiratory system, including smoking, strong odors, etc.
- Make sure to clean the place continuously to get rid of dust and dirt that cause respiratory irritation.
- Strengthening the child’s immune system through proper nutrition and providing the child with the elements, minerals and vitamins that the child’s body needs.
- Paying attention to the child’s personal hygiene and teaching the child to wash hands primarily before eating meals.
- Visit a specialist doctor periodically if the child frequently suffers from allergies to determine ways to deal with the allergies and the most appropriate medications to take.
- Make sure to give the child periodic vaccinations on time, to avoid recurring health problems.
How do I get rid of dry cough in children?
You can rely on a drink of honey and lemon or some natural herbs, or take antibiotics that are prescribed under medical supervision to help get rid of a dry cough. Mostly, antibiotics are used in the case of infection, or treatment is given with cough suppressants or phlegm expelling medications.
What is the quickest treatment for a dry cough?
There are many medications and drugs available in pharmacies that help get rid of dry cough, but at the same time no prescriptions or medications should be taken without consulting a specialist doctor.
Is Oplex for dry cough?
Yes, Oplex is an effective medical drug in getting rid of dry coughs because it expels phlegm and expands the bronchi and contains anti-allergic drugs that reduce irritation in the respiratory system.
In conclusion, after knowing all the details of dry cough in children and the symptoms and signs that indicate it, you must consult a specialist doctor inside Al-Mousa Health Hospital, the most famous hospital in the Kingdom, if the dry cough persists and is not controlled with home methods to prescribe appropriate medication doses, as it is forbidden to take any medications for children without consulting the specialist doctor.
Sources
Why Does My Kid Have a Dry Cough? – healthline
