Barking cough in a child: causes and treatment

The barking cough that sometimes occurs in children is dry and abrupt, which is why it is called that. It is paroxysmal and painful, usually exhausting and uncomfortable for the baby. To cope with such a cough, you first need to find out the reasons for its appearance and only after analyzing them, look for ways to solve this problem.

Causes of a barking cough

This disease can cause many reasons, including:

• allergies or asthma;
• infectious diseases;
• the presence of small objects in the respiratory tract;
• inflammatory processes in the pharynx or larynx;
• development of whooping cough or diphtheria.

Moreover, the latest diseases are considered the most dangerous. Timely vaccinations... Among the main symptoms, upon finding that you need to call a doctor, are pallor, frequent shortness of breath, as well as a strong fever.

Barking cough in a child without fever

At the first signs of a barking cough, in which there is an increase in the child's body temperature, especially if the baby is visually healthy, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Such serious diseases as diphtheria or whooping cough, as well as tracheal spasm, bronchitis, asthma, can develop without an increase in temperature, since the child's immunity at first tries to fight. Usually, the cough appears in the evening or at night, and is accompanied by general malaise, anxiety, and asthma attacks. The skin becomes pale and bluish, the mouth is slightly open. Breathing becomes wheezing, sometimes it is delayed and the baby may lose consciousness.

All these symptoms require immediate medical attention. The course of treatment is prescribed on the basis of diagnostics and studies.

Violent barking cough

There are times when a barking cough develops quickly and reaches the peak of the disease. Because of this, the child's appetite decreases, he feels pain in the chest, and general weakness is observed, since oxygen access is reduced due to impaired breathing. In especially severe cases, the child may feel sick.

A strong barking cough is dangerous because it can cause swelling of the soft tissues of the larynx, as a result of which suffocation occurs. Therefore, during severe attacks, you should not leave the child alone.

Such a serious stage of the disease can be a sign of inflammation of the respiratory system. The temperature is usually low, not higher than 38 degrees. With the right treatment, improvement can occur within a few days.

Most often, during the first years of life, the cause of a severe barking cough is laryngotracheitis or false croup. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of the respiratory organs of children in this particular period of development. At school age, laryngotracheitis does not pose a particular danger, but false croup always poses a threat to life. Therefore, if similar symptoms occur, it is better to immediately call a doctor, and before his arrival, try to relieve the child's cough so that he can breathe fully.

How to treat a barking cough

There are different ways to treat this type of cough. In this case, both medical methods and alternative therapy are used. Of the drugs, antihistamines are often prescribed: claritin, suprastin, zyrtec. If the child is very young, it is better to use syrup or crush the medicine well. When a high fever is taken, an antipyretic should be given.

In addition, herbs and medicines are used that improve the secretion of phlegm: mucaltin, Herbion and Doctor Mom syrups, as well as antitussives. True, expectorants should not be used for too long, since this can cause the opposite effect: with prolonged use, the cough increases.

In any case, the treatment must be prescribed by a doctor. You should not fight a child's cough on your own, since various complications can develop against its background. Therefore, you should not risk it, it is better to immediately contact a specialist and adhere to his treatment plan.

As for first aid, first of all, you need to reassure the child: when the baby is worried, he begins to cough even more. Free him from excess clothing, nothing should interfere with movement or difficulty breathing. It is very beneficial to give a warm drink, it dilutes phlegm and prevents dehydration. From drinks it is better to prefer freshly squeezed diluted juices and herbal decoctions.

Also, a chest massage and rubbing the baby's back have a good effect. Warming procedures will also be beneficial: compresses, mustard plasters, warm baths.

It is important to create a certain atmosphere in the room where the baby is. The air there should be warm and humid, reminiscent of the tropical. If you don't have a humidifier in your home, hang wet sheets and towels, and arrange dishes filled with water.

A very good remedy in the fight against barking cough is inhalation. They help relieve laryngeal edema, the cough softens and the baby's breathing becomes much easier. If you have an inhaler at home, it is good to inhale with mineral water. With pharyngitis, inhalations with eucalyptus are useful, however, it must be used with caution, since it is a rather strong allergen.

Folk aids are considered effective and safe. Herbs such as sage, thyme, and plantain have good coughing properties. Milk with honey and badger fat, radish with honey, onion syrup help.

If your child has a barking cough, don't panic. A timely visit to a doctor will help identify irregularities in the body and cure the baby. In addition, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen his immunity.