Statistics indicate that 70% of children are exposed to coughs or coughs every year, which are usually accompanied by cold or flu symptoms, but treating children’s coughs and dealing with them correctly is a necessary step to avoid complications that may be dangerous for infants and children who have weak immunity.
What are the causes of cough in children?
Cough is usually accompanied by many health problems, including colds, sore throats, and viral infections. Cough increases in children in the winter, and its causes include:
- Viral infection: Cough in children is one of the common symptoms of colds and influenza.
- Asthma: Asthma is one of the risk factors that increases the possibility of coughing in children, so avoiding exposure to its causes protects your child from the possibility of worsening the problem.
- Bacterial infection: Cough may occur in children between the ages of 3-12 years due to a bacterial infection.
- Other causes: such as exposure to crisis triggers, whether smoke, sinusitis, or esophageal reflux.
What are the ways to treat coughs for children?
In most cases, children's coughs subside by using some natural methods without the need to use medications, such as:
- Drink warm drinks:Keeping the body hydrated by drinking warm fluids reduces the viscosity of the mucus, thus helping to soothe wet coughs and bronchial spasms. Drinks that are recommended to drink include anise and mint, while it is preferable to reduce soft drinks to avoid sore throat.
- Steam inhalation:Inhaling warm water vapor helps open the airway, soothe the cough, and improve the child's ability to breathe.
- Menthol creams:It is one of the effective treatment methods for children older than three years, by using one of the types of menthol creams on the chest or any area near the nose, to help expand the bronchi, reduce the severity of the cough, and improve the child’s ability to breathe.
- Cold medicines:Over-the-counter cold medications, especially paracetamol, may be used to relieve cold symptoms if they are accompanied by a cough.
What is the best cough medicine for children?
It is recommended not to give children under 6 years of cough medicine without a prescription to avoid serious side effects, especially since all cases of cough in children disappear within two weeks. However, if the child suffers from one of the following symptoms, you should visit a doctor to find out the diagnosis and develop the appropriate treatment program:
- The presence of cramps or severe cough.
- Wheezing, or a loud sound when breathing.
- A cough that lasts for more than a week and gets worse.
- Fever lasting more than two days.
- The child is less than 3 months old.
Therefore, we recommend Xylene syrup for children to relieve cough and remove congestion during colds and allergies. It is not preferable to give it to children under the age of six.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, known in English as whooping cough, is one of the infectious respiratory diseases caused by a bacterial infection that affects children and adolescents.
Statistics from the US Centers for Epidemiology and Diseases (CDC) indicate that 13 million children are infected with this infection annually, and neglecting treatment may cause serious complications, including:
- Pneumonia.
- صعوبة التنفس.
- الجفاف.
- Noticeable weight loss in infants and children.
- cramps.
Therefore, this type of cough must be dealt with correctly, and a doctor should be visited to find out the causes, and an appropriate treatment program should be developed.
Book your consultation now at Pediatric Center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
What are the ways to treat whooping cough?
The doctor follows various treatment methods that depend on the child’s condition and the severity of his symptoms. Among the treatments used are the following:
- Antibiotics: The doctor prescribes appropriate antibiotics for whooping cough infection after confirming the diagnosis, in order to shorten the duration of treatment, improve symptoms, and avoid serious complications.
- Inhalation sessions: The doctor may recommend inhalation sessions for the child, if the symptoms are severe and he is unable to breathe normally.
- Intravenous injection: The doctor may need to use intravenous solutions if the child suffers from dehydration, in order to maintain hydration, shorten the duration of treatment, and avoid serious complications.
Can whooping cough be treated at home?
Yes, home methods help improve the child’s condition, reduce the duration of treatment he needs, and avoid complications, but they cannot be relied upon without visiting a doctor, or following a treatment program that depends on the child’s condition and a proper diagnosis.
Therefore, we advise you to do the following:
- Take the medications prescribed by the doctor at the specified times.
- Keep the child’s body hydrated by drinking warm liquids and juices rich in the necessary nutrients.
- Commitment to rest throughout the treatment period.
- Keep the child away from allergy triggers such as dust and others, by providing fresh air and an environment free of fumes and pollutants.
In conclusion, there is no need to worry, as treating a cough in children begins with knowing its causes so that the doctor can develop the appropriate treatment program. Antibiotics will not be effective if the cough is due to a viral infection, and adhering to the home methods that we discussed throughout the article may improve the symptoms and spare your child serious complications.
Frequently asked questions
How to calm coughs in children?
Taking appropriate medications under medical supervision, as well as raising the child’s head while sleeping, in addition to massaging the chest to treat coughs, humidifying the air around the child, giving the child a warm bath, and completely avoiding cough irritants.
What is the quickest treatment for cough?
Gargling with salt water, taking probiotics, and using warm drinks such as mint and ginger, as well as turmeric and thyme.
When should I worry about cough in children?
If it lasts for a long period of more than 3 weeks, and if it becomes chronic and interferes with daily life, such as sleep disturbances.
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