Dry cough in children of 2 years, as well as in older children, is capable of incredibly exhausting both the baby himself and his parents. Unlike wet, dry cough does not bring relief and is not able to rid the bronchi of accumulated mucus. Therefore, it is so important that, after consulting a doctor, begin treatment as soon as possible.
Possible diseases
When a dry cough appears in children 2 years old, parents should, with the help of a doctor, exclude possible dangerous ailments. Of course, most likely, the baby just picked up a banal ARI, but perhaps the child has a more serious disease:
- Whooping cough. A childhood infectious disease characterized by a strong, exhausting, dry cough. In this case, antitussive drugs are needed, which the doctor can prescribe.
- Pneumonia. In this case, in addition to coughing, the baby has a high temperature. The disease is determined by listening to the lungs. An x-ray may also be needed. A small child is likely to be hospitalized. Still, the disease is serious and does not allow self-medication.
- Tuberculosis. In this case, the cough is not only dry, but also deaf, unproductive. Mandatory treatment under the supervision of a doctor. In the future, a long rehabilitation will be needed.
- Laryngitis. This is inflammation of the larynx. You can distinguish laryngitis by a characteristic barking cough. Having heard such sounds in a child, you should immediately call a doctor. The disease is dangerous by the risk of severe swelling of the larynx and the inability to breathe normally.
In any case, if a child develops a strong and unproductive dry cough, a pediatrician should be consulted. If the doctor, having listened to the lungs and examined the child, does not find serious cause for concern, then he can be treated at home.
Such a different cough
Coughing may be different. Wet and dry have different manifestations. Consider their differences from each other:
- Unlike wet, dry cough does not cough up, respectively, does not bring the desired effect of sputum separation.
- A dry cough appears immediately at the beginning of the disease, only then it turns into a wet one.
- With a dry cough, inflammation of the larynx or pharynx is observed. A wet cough is characterized by the formation of mucus in the bronchi.
- Medications for dry cough are aimed at suppressing the cough reflex, while when wet, sputum should be diluted to better discharge it.
But when treating children, one should not get carried away with a variety of expectorant syrups. The fact is that the baby, by virtue of age, cannot yet clearing throat productively. Syrups that dilute phlegm increase its excretion, the child will not be able to cough up the increasing mucus, and it will begin to stagnate. This situation leads to chronic inflammation.
Dry cough. We are looking for a reason
The most common cause when a dry cough is observed in children 2 years old is a viral infection. Coughing is not a disease, but its symptom. Therefore, when it appears, one must find the cause and treat the underlying disease.
If the child is sluggish, he has a fever and a cough, then the baby has caught a viral infection. In this case, the doctor will prescribe medications aimed at eliminating the symptoms of infection.
Only a doctor can determine if this is a common SARS, more serious whooping cough, or pneumonia.
But it may well be that dry cough in children 2 years old is not associated with viruses. If the child is peppy, he has no temperature and the general condition has not changed, perhaps this is an allergic cough. You should pay attention to the environment of the baby and exclude possible allergens.
If it was not possible to find and eliminate the causes of coughing, you should contact a specialist and conduct tests for allergens.
We make it easier
When the doctor examined the baby and prescribed treatment, the parents are able to help the baby and alleviate his condition. After all, a dry cough does not cough, but only torments the child, does not even allow him to sleep soundly and gain strength.
Let your baby drink as much as possible. All systems in the body are interconnected. And if a person drinks a lot, then his blood liquefies, and, accordingly, the mucus also becomes less thick. Consequently, the child will be able to begin to cough productively and withdraw unnecessary from the bronchi.
When a baby is tormented by a dry cough, the air in the room should in no case be dry and warm. This will only aggravate the situation. Air should be humidified, be sure to ventilate the room.
In the absence of temperature and the general normal state, the child must walk. Do not be afraid to go outside once again. The main thing is that there should not be severe frosts or wind.
Humidification of air, sufficient fluid intake and washing of baby spouts can cure dry cough without the use of various tablets and potions.
When you need to urgently call a doctor
- The cough took a deaf, barking character.
- Sudden dry cough does not cough up and occurs in increasing seizures. Sensation of a foreign object in the larynx.
- Cough, provoking vomiting.
- A growing dry cough that intensifies, regardless of moisture and heavy drinking.
Only a doctor, having examined the child, will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and give recommendations for eliminating unpleasant symptoms.
Drug treatment
With a dry cough, the baby cannot sleep and play normally. A cough harasses him and gives him no rest day or night. Therefore, in this case, it should be suppressed.
Cough medicines are divided into two types. Some are aimed at diluting sputum and making it less dense. The cough intensifies, it becomes more productive. Accordingly, the mucus clears up better.
Once the medicine has done its job, i.e. sputum has become more liquid, and a cough is more productive, the medicine is canceled.
But for children under two years of age, pediatricians do not recommend the appointment of various syrups so beloved by their parents. The baby still does not know how to clear her throat, and liquefied mucus begins to stagnate in the bronchi and lungs.
The second type of medicine is aimed at suppressing the cough reflex and, therefore, the cough recedes.
But antitussive drugs, as well as syrups for thinning sputum, should be prescribed only by a doctor.
Remember! The medicine does not treat cough as such. Syrups and tablets act on certain receptors. They either dilute sputum and enhance cough productivity, or suppress cough centers.
Antitussive drugs are usually prescribed for pertussis and can be recommended for debilitating dry cough caused by SARS.
Physiotherapy to help the baby
It happens that, despite the implementation of all recommendations, the disease does not recede. In this case, physiotherapy is recommended.
Warming up is carried out in the physiotherapy room. The necessary course and time will be prescribed by the attending physician.
In addition, massage can be recommended to the child. The fact is that an active kneading of the chest by a specialist leads to an expectorant effect. It is very useful for parents at home to hold the child a warming massage, kneading the sternum and back.
We are treated in folk ways
Since ancient times, people have been looking for ways to get rid of all sorts of ailments with the help of improvised means. Mankind has accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge used to get rid of cough at home.
But before checking folk methods on a child, it is advisable to consult a doctor. After all, many believe that the treatment with herbs is harmless, but at the same time they forget that these funds can cause great harm.
A lot of medicinal herbs are poisonous and simply not recommended for use by young children. But if mom uses, for example, milk to treat cough, then this will not hurt.
Milk will come to the rescue
With dry cough in children, for a long time, knowledgeable grandmothers have offered such a remedy as milk with honey and butter. Due to accessibility, this method remains relevant to this day.
Despite the apparent simplicity, such treatment gives its results. After the first cup, drunk before bedtime, the baby becomes easier.
Milk with honey and butter can soften an irritated pharynx and reduce coughing fits. The main thing is that the liquid is not too hot, otherwise you can only worsen the condition of the child. Very hot milk will irritate the inflamed mucosa and intensify coughing.
It happens that children do not want to drink milk and butter. Do not insist that the child empty the whole cup. Just a couple of spoons before bed. You can also offer your baby a spoon during the day.
But before giving the child hot milk with honey, you need to be sure that the baby does not suffer from allergies, not beekeeping products. In any case, you can simply offer a cup of milk with a slice of butter. The latter will soften the irritated neck and help relieve dry cough.
Black radish as a storehouse of vitamins
Our great-grandmothers also knew about this root crop. They used it to treat little children. Black radish contains a lot of vitamin C, organic acids and mineral salts. Thanks to its essential oils, it has a sharp taste that resembles onions.
With the help of radish juice, many diseases are treated, such as acute respiratory viral infections, bronchitis. Juice helps very well when a baby’s dry cough does not clear his throat and gives rest. Consider how to use this tool.
Black Cough Radish
How to use such a useful root crop and treat dry cough in babies? Everything is simple. It is enough to choose a ripe vegetable without damage and cut off the top.
Then we cut out a depression in the radish and fill the resulting hole with honey. From above we cover this place with the cut off top and leave it in the refrigerator for 3 hours. During this time, honey is extracted with juice, which contains many essential oils and vitamins.
After the specified time, get the radish and give the child the resulting juice. Pour honey back into the hole and refrigerate. As soon as the juice ceases to form, a new root crop should be taken. But usually one vegetable is enough.
Black radish with honey will not hurt children. The only exception is an allergy to bee products. In this case, you can try pouring a weak sugar solution, which will draw the juice.
Cough radish helps very effectively. In addition, children usually like the sweetish taste of the proposed medicine, which looks so unusual. Yes, and many parents prefer natural methods of treatment instead of pills and medicines.
Radish juice with honey is considered an excellent antitussive, and it also has a significant anti-inflammatory effect. Pediatricians recommend a radish to prevent serious diseases such as bronchitis and whooping cough.
How to use radish
Kids should take the juice three times a day, one teaspoon each. It is better to give juice before meals.
Despite all its usefulness, black radish is not used as food. As an additive for salads, it can be consumed no more than 1-2 times a week. To treat babies, radish juice is used for no more than seven consecutive days.
Cocoa butter for dry cough in babies
Everyone knows that children do not like to drink medicines and pills. Sometimes even a child refuses to accept tasty and sweet potions.
But many children love cocoa. And the oils contained in cocoa beans can reduce bouts of dry cough.
Those who don’t really want to drink a cup of real cocoa can be advised to purchase cocoa butter in a pharmacy. It is absolutely harmless and is recommended for the treatment of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections and relieving their symptoms in both adults and children.
Cocoa butter contains theobromine, which fights against bronchitis and asthma. And also it is full of vitamins, such as C, E and A, which intensely help to overcome the disease.
To treat dry cough in children, you can add oil to warm milk. Drinking such a medicine is recommended often and little by little. One teaspoon of butter is used per glass of milk. If there is no allergy, honey can be added.
If, in addition to coughing, the child suffers from sore throat, suggest that he dissolve the oil like candy, lubricating the inflamed areas.
You can also add cocoa butter to badger fat for grinding. The aroma of chocolate will surely appeal to children.
Before using any folk remedy for treating a child, you should consult a doctor and take into account possible contraindications.