The fall season begins, and with it many questions from parents about how to treat a severe cough in children, which causes a severe health problem for the child that may affect his sleep and daily activity. There is no doubt that the treatment methods are multiple and effective, but you need to determine the type of cough and the symptoms that accompany it, in addition to a medical examination to find out the appropriate treatment method, and this is what we learn about in detail in this article.
Types of strong coughs for children
The mother may notice some symptoms with her child’s strong cough, and these symptoms usually explain which types of strong coughs children face, so we will learn together about these types as follows:
- Loud cough: It occurs due to a narrow airway below the vocal cords, which causes a dry cough with a barking or loud sound. This type is caused by respiratory viruses such as the common cold or influenza.
- Cough accompanied by wheezing: It may indicate that the child is suffering from asthma, as the wheezing here comes from inside the chest, and usually intensifies in the middle of the night, and the crisis may last for 30 continuous minutes.
- Cough due to inhaled object: It is a temporary type of strong cough in children due to blockage of the trachea. The child cannot breathe normally, which exposes him to a bout of dry cough. Here, the treatment for strong cough in children is to remove what the child has swallowed.
- Wet cough: It is common during the winter and is usually the result of the child being infected with a virus or exposure to some severe irritants. It is a cough accompanied by mucus and may lead to the child being exposed to vomiting.
Ways to treat a strong cough in children
Methods for treating a severe cough in children depend on diagnosing the disease and knowing the main causes of cough, then choosing the appropriate medication to treat a severe cough in children from among the following:
- Strong cough suppressant medications: These medications are used to reduce dry cough that does not stop, such as Oplex, which is also an anti-allergy drug.
- Treatment of cough accompanied by phlegm: It is preferable to give the child medications that help expel phlegm and calm the cough, such as Ivyrospan, and bronchodilator medications that expel phlegm, such as Farcosolvin.
- Dry cough medicines: These medications help soothe a strong, dry cough, such as Notossil and Selgon, which is available in the form of suppositories and oral drops for children.
- المضادات الحيوية: Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics if a cough is due to a severe bacterial infection or a child has pneumonia, to eliminate the bacteria causing the cough.
- Inhaled asthma medications: This treatment is used to reduce inflammation and open the airways, and includes inhaled corticosteroids with bronchodilators such as salbutamol.
- Antihistamine medications: It is used in cases of severe allergies with cough, and helps reduce congestion while relieving a strong cough, such as Cetirizine.
It is necessary, before giving the child medications to treat severe coughs in children, to go to a specialized pediatrician to diagnose the child and find out the cause of the cough, then write the appropriate medication protocol. You can contact Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital, where there is a special department, which is Pediatric Center It includes many specialties and provides medical service at the highest level.
Tips for treating cough in children
Here are some tips Treating children's cough In addition to medical treatment and medications prescribed by the doctor, they serve as auxiliary means that enhance the effect of medications, including:
- Avoid irritants such as dusty places, smokers, or strong odors to avoid irritation of the respiratory system.
- It is useful for the child to inhale warm water vapor for 15 minutes before sleeping, which helps calm the respiratory system.
- White honey is very useful for treating severe coughs in children. The child can be given half or a full spoon before bed.
- Keep the children's room clean by using an air humidifier, which helps calm the cough while the child sleeps.
- Sleeping in a specific way, which is to raise the child’s head and place a pillow under the neck and head to prevent secretions from collecting in the throat during sleep.
A dangerous secret that stops children coughing at night
There are many advertising phrases that are published on social media sites, such as “A dangerous secret that stops children coughing at night.” We confirm and say that coughs must be treated correctly so that they gradually disappear without causing any complications in the body.
Everything that is conveyed about secrets and experiences is considered an individual case and there is no scientific evidence. We must first pay attention to the doctor’s diagnosis and what he deems appropriate for the child, along with the tips we mentioned that are useful in treating severe coughs in children.
You can see the methods Cough treatment for children؟ وما أسبابها؟
How to prevent strong coughs in children
There are many tips that teach us how to prevent strong coughs in children and contribute to alleviating cough symptoms from the beginning, the most important of which are:
- Stay away from respiratory irritants such as smoking in front of the child, strong odors, or dust.
- Make sure to clean the house constantly, especially the children’s room, and ventilate the room to allow fresh air to enter.
- Strengthening the child’s immune system through proper nutrition and light exercise
- Paying attention to the child’s personal hygiene, including washing hands and not touching the face, to prevent transmission of infection and increased coughing.
- If the child has an allergy, we must go for follow-up with the doctor to determine the cause of the allergy and treat it with medications.
- Pay attention to the period of changing seasons or severe seasonal changes that cause severe coughing in children.
- Giving children periodic vaccinations recommended by doctors, such as the whooping cough vaccine, which causes increased coughing.
Never underestimate a child’s cough and go quickly to the doctor to start treating a strong child’s cough. There is a group of the largest and best pediatricians in the Kingdom waiting for you inside Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital. They will provide immediate assistance and treat the cough with an effective medication protocol. Just contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Together, we learn about the most important questions that we receive from our followers about treating severe coughs in children, and we answer them in detail as follows:
What is the best antibiotic for cough?
It is not possible to determine the best antibiotic for cough except after seeing a doctor and knowing the cause of the cough, whether it is an infection, asthma, or allergy. Therefore, the type of treatment for severe cough in children is determined after consulting the doctor and making a complete diagnosis for the child.
When is a cough dangerous in children?
In most cases, the cough is not serious in children, but there are signs that, if they appear, are a warning of the seriousness of the situation, such as the cough continuing for more than 3 weeks with difficulty breathing, the color of the lips changing to blue, and a cough accompanied by blood with pain in the chest and neck.
How do I stop constant coughing in children?
The child should be given cough-soothing medications recommended by the doctor, while raising the head during sleep to reduce nighttime coughing. If the cough does not stop, you must rush to the hospital to provide the necessary first aid to the child.
Medical references
