Hoarse voice cough in a child treatment

What does a child's hoarse cough mean?

A cough is often the first symptom of a cold; it can be hoarse, dry, wet, and sometimes convulsive in nature . With a hoarse cough, the voice may disappear and swelling of the upper respiratory tract may occur, which leads to difficulty breathing, and sometimes to complete asphyxia.

Sometimes a cough with hoarseness and a hoarse voice coincide with age-related changes in the body of boys, which is why parents often do not pay attention to the problem. However, when such phenomena are observed in young children, the reasons are often very serious and the situation requires intervention.

Cough most often occurs with infectious lesions of the upper and lower respiratory tract . It can be caused by the following diseases: pharyngitis, tracheitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, empyema, etc. The child may cough during aspiration of a foreign body or gastrointestinal reflux.

Chronic cough is almost always provoked by an untreated cold, which often develops into an advanced form. Symptoms of a hoarse cough can be observed after a course of treatment for bronchial asthma, in the later stages of pneumonia, and sometimes with tuberculosis.

A child may lose his voice not only after suffering from respiratory diseases, but also in the event of other serious problems. The patient must be shown to a specialist to establish the true causes of what is happening.

Any disease requires timely intervention. How to treat a hoarse cough in children? When a hoarse cough appears, a child may not only lose his voice, but also develop swelling in the mucous membrane, which can block the flow of air into the lungs . In this case, the main efforts should be aimed at relieving swelling and restoring normal breathing.

It is better to remove the child from this condition in a hospital setting to eliminate undesirable consequences. After improving the voice and removing the swelling, the disease itself is treated. If hoarseness is present

cough, hoarse voice, and general condition is unsatisfactory, treatment is supposed to be medicinal.

• We advise you to read: what to do if your child’s voice is hoarse and hoarse

Symptomatic therapy is mainly used - mucolytic and expectorant drugs that alleviate the general condition of the patient and promote the removal of sputum. Antibacterial drugs and antibiotics are prescribed in more complex cases in order to kill the infection and prevent relapse of the disease.

With a milder course of the disease and without fever, specific treatment is not required; the child can be helped with folk remedies.

Inhalation is an excellent method of transporting drugs to the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. The procedure is especially relevant for the treatment of cough:

• mucous membranes are moisturized;
• the removal of mucus and sputum improves;
• when using medicinal components, the disease is treated;
• the transition of the disease to a chronic form is prevented.

• Take note: ACC for the treatment of all types of cough

Wet (with a temperature of up to 30˚), warm-moist (with a temperature of 30–40˚), as well as steam procedures with a decoction of potatoes, linden blossom, chamomile and other substances with an antiseptic effect are recommended.

Causes

A hoarse voice and cough in a child are often signs of laryngitis. Laryngitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. A hoarse voice and cough occur due to swelling of the vocal cords located in the laryngeal cavity. Depending on the cause, two forms of the disease are distinguished: infectious (viral, bacterial) and allergic laryngitis.

Viruses

In most cases, laryngitis is viral in nature. Hoarseness and cough can be symptoms of a cold and ARVI.

Many microorganisms can lead to inflammation of the larynx, but the most common is the parainfluenza virus.

In addition, laryngitis can occur with influenza, measles, and herpes. Viral laryngitis is rarely isolated and often occurs together with tracheitis in the form of laryngotracheitis. A child can become infected through normal talking, coughing, or sneezing, since viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets.

Bacteria

Bacterial laryngitis is less common in children, but is more severe. The cause of inflammation can be staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci. With bacterial laryngitis, intoxication syndrome, which is caused by a purulent process, comes to the fore.

Allergy

A hoarse voice and cough in a child without fever in most cases indicates non-infectious laryngitis. Allergens can be dust, pollen, medications, animal hair, or household chemical vapors. A feature of allergic laryngitis is that the disease worsens upon contact with an allergen.

Vocal cord overstrain

Another reason why a child develops a hoarse voice and a dry cough is prolonged overstrain of the vocal cords. For example, if a child screamed the day before symptoms appeared.

Stenosing laryngotracheitis

With stenosing laryngotracheitis, not just inflammation of the larynx occurs, but severe swelling and narrowing of the glottis.

The child develops signs of respiratory failure: inability to take a breath, rapid breathing, pale or blue skin.

Stenosing laryngotracheitis is a life-threatening condition. The appearance of its signs is a reason to call an ambulance. In this case, you cannot hesitate.

Prevention

In order not to torment your child with long and often unpleasant treatment, you should periodically prevent colds.

1. Provide adequate nutrition. The baby should eat more healthy fruits, vegetables and berries rich in vitamins and minerals. An apple or orange will be much healthier than candy.
2. Play sports and exercise. Not only the body is strengthened, but also the immune system. Kids need to do exercises every day and walk more in the fresh air. An older child can be enrolled in a sports section.
3. Avoid hypothermia. If hypothermia does occur, the best remedy is a hot foot bath with mustard.

Such simple prevention will help strengthen the child’s health and avoid manifestations of the disease.

Mechanism of symptoms

Usually, a child's hoarse cough does not appear or stop on its own. It may also be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• fever;
• intoxication;
• weakness and fatigue;
• hoarse voice;
• runny nose;
• inflammation of the larynx;
• difficulty swallowing;
• wheezing.

For example, with bronchitis or asthma, whistling sounds may be heard when a child exhales. This is the result of swelling of the bronchi. And thick sputum can lead to spasm of the bronchi and lead to respiratory failure. If a child begins to have a barking cough with wheezing, or asthma attacks, you must immediately call an ambulance.

Does your child have a hoarse voice and a cough? This may be a symptom of pneumonia. Mostly it appears after a previous viral infection. If the mentioned signs appear, you should forget about self-medication and immediately consult a doctor.

What to do if a child has a hoarse voice and cough?

A hoarse voice indicates the presence of a virus or bacteria that has affected the vocal cords.
Swelling of the ligaments appears, the voice gradually disappears.

The illness is often accompanied by fever or cough.

If you do not pay attention to the problem, you may miss an important point and the disease will begin to develop into a severe form . Voice changes in children are caused by infection.

1. Laryngitis. It is one of the dangerous diseases of the larynx, which is caused by viruses or infection. It all starts with chills, high temperature, which causes a problem with the voice. The cough may be barking with a slight howl.
2. Overstrain of the vocal cords. This disease occurs in infants, but is also observed in older people. Feeling and temperature are normal. Only the voice suffers, and sometimes a cough appears. Overstrain of the ligaments occurs due to prolonged screaming. Does not require treatment.
3. Tracheitis. The mucous membrane of the trachea becomes inflamed, resulting in bronchitis. The first symptoms include a rough, barking cough and a hoarse voice. Accompanied by high fever and weakness.
4. Allergic reactions . Swelling of the larynx and bronchi occurs. Sometimes accompanied by suffocation. The disease is acute.
5. Colds. They are a common cause of a hoarse, hoarse voice in a child. Each organism is individual, some like cold, others warm. Some parents harden their child or ventilate the room, and this leads to illness. And if you overdo it with such healing procedures, you can aggravate the situation, then the disease becomes chronic. For example, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia.

Laryngitis and its features

The most common cause of hoarse voice and cough is the diagnosis of laryngitis. In addition to a hoarse voice, the disease can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• hoarse voice;
• irritation in the throat;
• increased body temperature;
• pain when swallowing;
• dry cough, later turning into wet;
• general weakness.

It is important to know how to treat laryngitis. People suffering from laryngitis are prescribed topical medications, for example, sprays, expectorants, mucolytics. For a cough that scratches the throat (dry), Sinecod and Cofex are prescribed.

Antibiotics for laryngitis are prescribed extremely rarely. Only if the pathogen is bacterial or other treatment methods are ineffective.

Together with basic medications for a quick recovery, you can use traditional medicine methods. They are harmless to the human body:

• Grate 100 grams of peeled carrots on a coarse grater. Bring half a liter of milk to a boil and cook the carrots over low heat for 15 minutes. After the mixture has cooled, drink a few sips 4-5 times a day.

• Grind a small piece of horseradish (you need to take the root). Pour half a glass of boiling water and, covering with a towel, let stand for 20 minutes. Then add 1 tsp. honey, stir and strain. Take a teaspoon over 3 hours with a small amount of water.
• For acute or chronic forms, an infusion of anise will help. To do this, boil half a glass of anise seeds in a glass of water and cook for 15 minutes. Then strain the broth, add 50 grams of linden honey and 2 tbsp. l. cognac, bring to a boil. This medicine should be taken warm every 30-60 minutes, adding a drop of propolis. If you follow all the rules, the disease will subside in one day with this treatment.

Symptoms

If no other signs are observed, then a hoarse voice can be treated with home remedies .

Self-treatment is acceptable if a child loses his voice due to frequent screaming or prolonged crying.

As soon as other symptoms are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor .

So what about additional symptoms:

• High sweating;
• fast fatiguability;
• shortness of breath and cough appear;
• the temperature is rising rapidly.

• The skin turns red;
• speech becomes difficult;
• pain;
• suffocation.

If a child has laryngitis (a common disease), the symptoms will be as follows:

1. Barking cough. The child coughs all the time. When you inhale, you hear a wheezing sound as air has difficulty getting into the lungs.
2. Hoarse voice. Usually the voice trembles and sounds hoarse.
3. It becomes difficult to breathe. Difficulty breathing can occur at any time, even at five in the morning.
4. The temperature rises. It can appear suddenly and reach 39 degrees.
5. Wheezing in the thoracic region. Sometimes you can feel them with your hand.
6. Shallow breathing , nervous excitement.
7. Cyanosis around the mouth.

Treatment with pharmaceutical products can only by the attending physician . It takes into account the child’s age and condition.

Medications

Gargling solutions . This:

1. Chlorophyllipt. It got its name thanks to the active substances - chlorophyll extract, which were isolated from eucalyptus.
2. Furacilin. Antiprotozoal and antimicrobial medicine. This product destroys bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc. Crush the tablet and add 100 ml of boiled water. You can gargle.
3. Miramistin. It is an antiseptic that fights microorganisms. Available without a prescription. The medicine consists only of the active substance and water. It is recommended to rinse with a solution of 10-15 ml three times a day.

1. Cameton . Prescribed for the treatment of the larynx and nasal cavity. Prescribed for sore throat, tracheitis, pharyngitis. Spray into the throat three to four times a day.
2. Tantum Verde. Fights inflammation and swelling. Take 1 injection for children from three to six years old. From 6 to 12 years, 4 injections 2-6 times a day.
3. Inhalipt. Fights inflammation. Spray into the mouth for 1-2 seconds three times a day.

1. Strepsils . Available in different flavors. It is an antiseptic drug. Has a softening effect on the mucous membrane. Take one tablet every three hours.
2. Faringosept . This medicine is popular. It has no contraindications and fights well against infectious agents. You need to take the tablets after meals, one tablet 5 times a day for five days.

Treatment of deviation

Treatment will vary depending on the diagnosis. Let's consider what to do if your voice is hoarse. With ARVI and laryngitis, in addition to a hoarse voice, a cough, elevated body temperature, and runny nose may occur. In addition to basic medications, the doctor may prescribe throat sprays, medications containing menthol and sage. If hoarseness is not a disease, but is due to strained ligaments, you should gargle: Furacilin, chamomile, calendula, sea salt.

Sometimes hoarseness occurs due to stress. In this case, the doctor will prescribe sedatives.

If the voice is hoarse, in addition to treatment, it is necessary to refrain from talking as much as possible in order to give the vocal cords a rest.

Diet is also important during illness. Here are some tips:

• You should only eat warm food. Taboo about cold or too hot.
• Alcohol is contraindicated, even in small doses.
• It is advisable to refrain from smoking to avoid complications.
• You cannot drink hot tea or coffee.
• Spicy spices that irritate the throat are excluded.
• Sour and salty dishes are not allowed.

Many people believe that if you have a sore throat, you need warming procedures. This is a misconception. Steam inhalations or any heat should not be used. Due to the effects of thermal procedures, the virus penetrates deep into the body and enters healthy human organs, thereby worsening the situation.

Treatment with folk remedies

If an adult’s voice has disappeared, after consultation with a doctor, you can use folk remedies together with medications. Here are some of them:

• Prepare the mixture: chop the dried raspberry leaves and place them in a thermos. Pour in 500 ml of hot water. After an hour, pour the mixture into a clean container, passing through a sieve. Take the medicine 4-5 times a day, half a glass.
• If hoarseness is caused by illness, then radish juice will help. It needs to be washed well, then cut off the top. Remove the fruit pulp and add honey or sugar. Cover with the top and let stand for 1-2 hours so that the radish releases its juice. Take 1 tsp. several times a day.
• Milk mixed with Borjomi water has a strong effect. To do this, they need to be combined in equal proportions and add 1 tbsp. l. honey Drink half a glass of the warm mixture 3 times a day.

• Calendula can also save your voice. To do this, pour 2 tbsp into a thermos. l. flowers, pour two glasses of boiling water. After two hours, strain and take three times a day.