Preparations for allergic cough in children. A child has an allergic cough: causes, symptoms and treatment regimen with drugs and folk remedies

When a child develops a cough, parents most often think that these are signs of a cold. Not everyone knows that a barking cough that appears suddenly, with seizures, blocking breathing, may be the result of an allergy. It is important to remember that allergic cough is very common as a symptom of an allergic disease.

A cough in a child is not always the result of a cold.

Responsible parents should take care and find out information about why a child has an allergic cough, what methods of help are available for this, what medications will help relieve symptoms (see also:). It would be useful to learn about folk remedies for the treatment of allergic cough.

General characteristics of allergic cough

One of the most striking manifestations of an allergy is a cough, but it is not always easy to recognize its nature. It can often be confused with a cold. They are similar, but you can still tell them apart. With colds, coughing is complemented by fever, reddened throat and nasal discharge. An allergic cough in a child is not a disease, it is either a sign of an allergy, or this is how bronchial asthma manifests itself. Allergens have a negative effect on the upper respiratory tract. Perspiration, as an indicator of allergies, appears due to an inflammatory reaction in the mucous membrane of the throat, bronchi or trachea.

Combined with a runny nose of an allergic nature, a cough makes it very difficult for children to breathe. Such signs appear only if an irritating allergen is present in the immediate environment. The task of first aid is to eliminate the pathogen itself, provided that you have found out the root cause of the allergy in the little one.

Symptoms

Signs of an allergic cough in a child are as follows:

• sudden onset of paroxysmal barking cough;
• persistent cough for 2-3 weeks, dry, combined runny nose with discharge from the nose;
• no increase in body temperature;
• the main time for the appearance of an allergic cough is night, and during the day the manifestations are not so pronounced;
• nocturnal dry cough with possible clear-colored sputum without purulent impurities;
• itchy sensations in the nasal cavity, dryness and sore throat, the appearance of tears, sneezing, coughing does not give a feeling of comfort;
• the attacks stop when the baby takes the antihistamine "Tavegil", "Suprastin" or "Diazolin".

Causes

The reason for an allergy can be absolutely any object or substance:

• food, this pathogen is especially characteristic for babies of the first three years;
• household allergens (animal hair, dust, feathers or down in pillows, blankets, etc.);
• pollen of flowers, plants;
• powders for washing on phosphates, an aerosol of a chemical composition;

• frequent infectious diseases that damage the respiratory system;
• passive smoking (if adults smoke in the house where the child lives);
• medicinal syrups, vaccinations, medications that contain an allergen;
• helminthiases.

One thing can be said with certainty that the sooner you determine the non-cold nature of a cough in a baby, the faster you will be able to cure the disease. The danger of an allergic cough is that it can cause the development of bronchitis, and on its basis asthmatic bronchitis, which ultimately is fraught with the appearance of bronchial asthma.

Diagnostics

A painful cough in infants up to a year requires a thorough and detailed diagnosis. The reasons for this phenomenon can lie in a variety of problems: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, infections and other diseases.

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to pass a number of tests:

• a biochemical and general blood test, an x-ray of the sternum, in the presence of a wet cough and sputum, it should also be taken for analysis;
• clarification of hereditary factors to determine the degree of risk;
• analysis of the function of external respiration, performing tests on the skin with histamine.

Such a detailed diagnosis will allow the doctor to collect the most complete information about the disease. All information will help to prescribe high-quality and effective treatment.

Treatment

Having determined the allergic nature of a cough in an infant, the doctor in most cases prescribes medication to alleviate the general condition and relieve symptoms. Having understood that food causes an unpleasant phenomenon, you should be even more careful in choosing products for babies and remove strong allergens from the diet.

Baby food should not include chocolate, red berries and fruits, citrus fruits and seafood. As soon as the first allergy reactions appear, treatment should be started immediately. Even during pregnancy, expectant mothers should refuse products that are likely to cause allergies, as a result, the baby born will be less susceptible to them.

Anti-allergic pills, inhalations and other modern methods can stop a paroxysmal cough. Do not engage in self-selection of medication. Entrust this choice to a professional - a doctor.

Inhalation can help relieve an attack, but a doctor should prescribe it

The most basic way to alleviate the condition is to remove the allergen from the area where the child is staying. The second thing to do is to give an antihistamine.

Antihistamines

To relieve unpleasant manifestations that worsen in spring and autumn, you can take the following antiallergic drugs: Cetrin, Zodak, Zirtek, Suprastin. All of these drugs are fast acting. The positive effect will be noticeable within 20 minutes after their application.

After identifying that the root cause of allergy symptoms was such pathogens as dust, wool or pollen, you can use an antihistamine nasal spray to relieve discomfort. This type of medication will relieve swelling, moisturize the mucous membranes and improve the general condition. After a walk in the fresh air, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the nose and mouth with running water. Use the following sprays as antihistamines: Cromohexal, Allergodil and Levocabastin.

Remember - not all drugs are suitable for use in infants, so be sure to consult your doctor first. To alleviate the condition in an infant, use a pipette.

Preventive measures to help get rid of allergic cough will only be effective in an integrated approach to treatment. The use of antiallergic drugs will not completely solve the problem. The main therapy should be combined with the use of traditional medicine methods.

A strong attack of coughing can be calmed and stopped by administering a dose of Suprastin. The injection procedure is more effective and will give results in 7-10 minutes, while Suprastin tablets will act more slowly. Visible improvement will come in 20 minutes. The average duration of the drug is 12 hours, then the substance is excreted from the body along with urine.

Before you buy Suprastin, read the instructions for use, find out the correct way to use, the recommended dose. Be sure to read the list of contraindications and side effects.

Enterosorbents

The use of enterosorbents will be very effective, but they should not be taken for more than two weeks, since the sorbents that make up them reduce the ability to absorb minerals and vitamins. Do not combine them with other drugs. For use, choose the following medicines: Polysorb, Enterosgel, Filtrum STI.

Plasmapheresis

The use of plasmapheresis is a mechanical purification of the blood from contained allergic substances, existing toxins and other harmful components. With therapeutic plasmapheresis, the blood is removed from the body, and then the purified blood is returned to the body. The effect of such a cleansing will be good, but will be only temporary. This procedure has a number of contraindications. For clarity, you can watch a video that tells how this method looks like.

Inhalations

In the form of inhalations, the following medications are used: Berodual, Pulmicort. Nebulizer inhalation treatments provide very good support for allergic coughs, bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. With an allergic cough, inhalation is also appropriate to do:

• with saline;
• with an anti-inflammatory drug;
• with hypertonic saline;
• with mineral water.

Saline will make the mucous membranes more moist and cleansed. Having made only one inhalation with a nebulizer for a child, you will see that there is less coughing. Regular procedures will alleviate the general condition of allergies.

Berodual

In the presence of a dry cough, as well as a cough with viscous sputum, it is recommended to inhale with Berodual. For this, the drug is added to saline with a volume of about 3 ml. Inhalation procedures through a nebulizer should be carried out 4 times a day. In no case should children be treated by diluting Berodual with distilled water.

The action of Berodual involves relieving tension from the bronchial muscles, as well as normalizing the process of mucus production in the lower respiratory tract. Berodual is a non-hormonal medication with a temporary effect. It is allowed to use Berodual for children over 6 years old (more details in the article:). Be sure to consult your doctor before starting inhalation.

This hormonal agent is actively used in the treatment of bronchial asthma, as well as other diseases of the upper respiratory tract, which lead to shortness of breath. Pulmicort is a safe medicine for children, even when taking into account long-term use. The action of Pulmicort includes the removal of puffiness from the bronchi, the prevention of bronchospasm and anti-inflammatory activity.

Indications for the use of Pulmicort: allergic dry cough with sputum difficult to separate. Inhalations are carried out through a nebulizer. Only a doctor has the right to calculate an individual dosage for each child. Medication Pulmicort before use is diluted in saline.

Any type of inhalation through a nebulizer will be effective and reduce the effects of allergies. 10 minutes after the procedure, a positive therapeutic effect is observed. In addition, anti-allergic medications can be added to inhalation solutions, which will reduce symptoms.

Folk remedies

To relieve the consequences and improve the general condition of the child, traditional medicine methods are often used. Garlic syrup gives a good effect with an allergic cough. It is very easy to prepare. You should cut 2-3 cloves of garlic and combine them with sugar or honey. The syrup will be obtained by infusing the mixture for two weeks. Daily you need to take 1 tablespoon of syrup in the morning. It can also be taken during a coughing fit.

Folk remedies are able to carry out a preventive effect, but the priority, of course, will be drug treatments, which should be carried out as directed by a doctor. Any folk way of helping may have contraindications, so carefully weigh the pros and cons so as not to aggravate the situation.

Allergy Cough Diet

As soon as the child's allergic cough worsens, the children's diet is strictly limited in the following products:

• orange fruits and vegetables;
• almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and peanuts;
• natural cow's milk;
• mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup;
• smoked and sausages;
• honey and all its products;
• chocolate and sweet pastries;
• mushrooms;
• sea ​​fish;
• products with preservatives.

If allergic reactions occur, the child should not be given goose and duck. With extreme caution, you can feed the baby turkey or chicken. It is advisable to replace these types of meat with rabbit meat or beef. Cow's milk should be replaced with goat's, but given in small amounts.

When dieting, you can eat green vegetables: cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, white cabbage, eggplant. It is allowed to eat cereals, cottage cheese, bananas, prunes, green apples, boiled potatoes, black bread.

Having eliminated unpleasant consequences, it is allowed to begin the gradual introduction of excluded products. "Dangerous" vegetables and fruits are introduced gradually. For example, a pumpkin or a red apple is given in a volume of 30 g in the form of puree. With good perception, the dose is slightly increased.

Foods that can cause an allergic cough are left in the diet in small quantities. This is necessary in order for the body to get used to dangerous foods and stop producing antibodies.

Prevention

• Watch your baby's skin. At the first suspicion of diathesis, you should immediately contact your pediatrician.
• Clean your house daily. Ventilate the room well.
• Keep animals away from your baby's area. It is desirable that they should not be where the baby eats, sleeps or plays.
• There should be a minimum of soft toys in the baby's room. It is advisable to choose alternative materials, such as rubber.
• Choose hypoallergenic baby care products.
• Down pillows and blankets are best replaced with synthetic ones.

Parents should not build personal speculation about the causes of coughing. All diagnostic procedures must be performed by a doctor. All methods of treatment begin only after their appointment by a specialist. Based on the results of the tests and other information received, the doctor will draw a conclusion about the causes of the allergy and help rid the baby of unpleasant symptoms as soon as possible. The child will recover faster if adults do not self-medicate him.

Komarovsky's opinion

Information taken from Dr. Komarovsky's book "The Beginning of Your Child's Life":

• In no case do not use antitussive tablets (Libexin, Broncholitin, Glaucin, Tusuprex) without a doctor's prescription!
• From excessive love for a child, a cough is born. Mucus from drying out and various irritants unpleasantly tickle the mucous surface of the bronchi. This happens often from an abundance of soft toys and carpets (dust), from allergies to pets, chocolate or citrus fruits, and also to excessively dry and warm air. In this case, you must first remove the primary sources of allergic cough, and only after that engage in treatment.
• In the case when the baby woke up at night from a choking feeling, has a hoarse voice and a barking cough, then most likely such consequences are of a viral nature. With croup, and this is it, you need to let the child breathe in moist cool air before the ambulance arrives, bringing / bringing him to the window or balcony. At the same time, dress the baby warmly and give something warm to drink.

Cough is an unconditioned reflex, which is necessary to cleanse the airways of foreign substances and objects that disrupt the patency of the tracheobronchial tree. Basically, this protective-adaptive reaction is needed by the body, which reacts in this way to the appearance of various pathologies.

Most often, this reflex signals the development of acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections or the presence of foreign elements in the breath that irritate the larynx, for example, toxic fumes and allergens. In the latter case, we are talking about an allergic form of cough, which also occurs in children, which causes reasonable anxiety in parents.

Define the view

There are two types of cough:

1. Dry. It is he who is most often allergic. It manifests itself mainly at night, attacks. The peak of activity is the spring-summer period, especially during the flowering season of plants, as well as in winter, when the heating is especially intense.
2. Wet. The so-called vitreous sputum is secreted - transparent, free from pus, odorless. A child with allergies may also have a wet cough.

Any of these forms greatly exhausts the young children's body, so parents definitely need to help their baby. Other symptoms often appear: runny nose, watery eyes, itching in the throat, swelling of the mucosa, but there are times when, apart from coughing, there are no other signs of allergy.

Understanding the reasons

Since coughing is the body's defense mechanism against a pathogenic organism, therefore, the main cause is the allergy itself.

What can be a negative reaction:

• strong odors;
• household chemicals;
• plant pollen;
• animal hair;
• Food;
• dust, mite particles, microorganisms.

These are the most popular allergens in the 21st century. An allergic response does not always appear immediately after contact with irritants; the first symptoms may appear only when the allergen has accumulated in the body.

Some parents notice an allergic nocturnal cough. The reason may be the pillow on which the baby sleeps. If it is downy, it accumulates a huge amount of allergens, which provokes an attempt to clear the lungs.

If mucus is released during coughing, sputum becomes the cause of its increase at night. In the supine position, it clogs the airways, which is why the body tries to clear them by coughing.

Distinguishing symptoms

Parents may confuse the symptoms of an allergic cough in a child with a cold. For an accurate diagnosis, a mandatory visit to the doctor is required. You can independently suspect an allergy by the following signs:

1. Choking before coughing. The allergen gets on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, causes its irritation, swelling, so before the allergic reaction begins, he may feel severe suffocation. It is difficult for him to swallow saliva, only then sharp, barking coughs begin.
2. Discharge from the nose. Most often it accompanies an allergic wet cough. Children have a runny nose. Allocations are transparent, without clouding of color, aggravated by the proximity of hazardous substances.
3. eye inflammation. The conjunctiva is very reddened, inflamed. The kid tries to rub, scratch his eyes, tears run, purulent discharge from the lacrimal canals is possible.
4. No temperature. If the baby has been trying to cough for a long time, and the temperature is normal, this is a sure sign of an allergy.
5. Conventional medicines don't work. The use of mucolytics does not alleviate the condition of the child.

Other symptoms are not always added, therefore, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to frequent coughing for no particular reason.

It is important for parents to know how to recognize a cough that has arisen due to allergens, to distinguish it from a cold in a child. This will help to immediately eliminate the irritant and give the drugs prescribed by the doctor. The table shows the main differences between coughing for colds, bronchitis and allergies.

Allergy in the form of a cough in children greatly exhausts them. Due to the fact that the symptoms worsen during sleep, the baby does not get enough sleep.

This condition can be dangerous for the body. First of all, the load goes to the heart, lungs, so the attacks in an allergic person need to be removed as soon as possible.

We treat children correctly

It is important for parents to know not only how it manifests itself, but also how to treat allergic cough in childhood.

Urgent help

For emergency care, antihistamines should be given. The doctor says how to relieve seizures and how to carry out further treatment.

You can not prescribe antihistamines to children on your own. If there is no way to consult a doctor or consult with him, at least by phone, it is important to carefully study the instructions for using the medicine. A child should not be given a drug that is not suitable for his age.

The most popular drug for relieving allergic attacks is. When using injections, it acts in 10-15 minutes, and in the form of tablets - about twenty minutes. In addition to it, such medicines as Zodak, Tavegil, Fenistil, as well as various nasal sprays based on Levocabastin are popular.

If anaphylactic shock develops, you should immediately call an ambulance!

To treat the symptoms of an allergic form of cough, you need to know what caused it, since the most important factor in treatment is to prevent the child from coming into contact with a dangerous substance.

How to help a child during therapy

After determining the allergen, the doctor prescribes supportive therapy, as well as medications to quickly relieve coughing fits in emergency cases. Parents should know what to do if a child is diagnosed with an allergic cough other than using prescribed medications:

1. Introduce the habit of ventilating the room where the child lives. Fresh air makes breathing easier, reduces the concentration of dust.
2. Daily wet cleaning. But you should avoid household chemicals with strong odors, chlorine content. Her pairs can provoke a recurrence of allergies, causing a new attack.
3. Get rid of all down pillows, blankets. They accumulate dust, particles of house mites. Contact with such bedding can provoke new attacks.
4. Free the house from possible allergens. This measure is necessary if the cause that provoked the symptoms of an allergic paroxysmal cough in infants is not established. Such items include things with pungent odors, pets, fruits.

Medical treatment

Consists of a complex of drugs:

1. Antihistamines. This group of drugs relieves the effects of an allergic reaction due to the fact that the active substances block histamine, a compound that provokes the body's reaction to an allergen. For emergency use Suprastin, Fenkarol. However, children are not advised to give medicines for more than 3 days. For longer treatment, third-generation antihistamines, such as Erius, are suitable. But it is important to remember that it is allowed to use from 1 year old, while it is important to monitor side effects, tablets can only be used from 12 years old.
2. Enterosorbents. Needed to remove allergens from the body. By binding to the allergen, the active substance removes it from the body, thereby reducing the consequences of the reaction. To relieve allergy symptoms, it is better to choose synthetic, carbon or silicon-containing preparations, you should avoid herbal ones. Synthetic sorbents include, carbon and silicon-containing - Karbolen, Smecta,. The intake of enterosorbents should be coordinated with the time of taking other drugs: at least two hours should elapse between taking the sorbent and other drugs.
3. Bronchodilators. The action is aimed at relieving bronchospasm. After relaxation of the bronchi, the condition improves, breathing becomes easier. Most often, inhalations or tablets are used. The most popular drugs: Berodual for nebulizer therapy, Salbutamol - inhalation spray.
4. Mucolytics. Drugs that make it easier to expectorate mucus. Applicable only if available. These drugs include: Trypsin in the form of tablets, Bromhexine - dragee or syrup, Ambraxol in the form of a syrup for children.

Extreme measures for the treatment of allergies include the use of hormonal drugs. Their slightest overdose or violation of the procedure can harm the child!

Folk recipes

Treatment of signs of cough with allergies in children may include the use of alternative methods, but only after consulting a doctor. Some popular recipes:

1. Celery root. Squeeze out the juice, give the child 2-3 teaspoons three times a day, observe the reaction.
2. Inflating balloons. A fun, easy activity for kids that is great for exercising the lungs.
3. Washing the nasopharynx with warm water is especially effective after walking on the street.
4. Decoction. Boil a handful of leaves in one glass of water, add half a teaspoon of honey, baking soda to the cooled liquid. During an attack, drink a quarter glass of liquid. Use only if you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.

We care about prevention

It is better to take care to minimize the likelihood of developing an allergy, its symptom in the form of a cough. The following steps help:

1. Wet cleaning every day. Allows you to get rid of accumulations of dust in the house.
2. A minimum of household chemicals in everyday life. Avoid chlorine products because of their pungent smell.
3. It is necessary to take out carpets, rugs, curtains, thick bedspreads, soft toys from the house, because. they also actively accumulate dust.
4. If the substance that provokes the reaction is determined, an anti-allergic diet should be followed, because. In addition to a specific allergen, seizures can be provoked by a number of substances similar to it. This is especially important if the cough is due to a food allergy.

It is important to know not only how to identify a cough that occurs due to allergies. It is equally important to understand that allergic bronchospasm is only a symptom. Without determining the cause, the attacks will be repeated over and over again after contact with the allergen. Seeing a doctor is essential for proper treatment. The health of children is in the hands of parents!

Cough is a reflex reaction of the body to irritation of the respiratory tract (most often by a foreign object). This is a normal physiological manifestation, a variant of the protective function. However, in some cases, the described phenomenon occurs outside the indicated cause.

One such typical situation is an allergic cough. What is the irritant in this case, how does an allergic cough develop and how can its origin be understood? Should be sorted out.

Allergy is an autoimmune false reaction of the body, when its own defense system, designed to protect the body, fails and takes its own cells and harmless substances for dangerous outside invaders. How does the development of allergies and allergic cough?

The basis, as already mentioned, is the induced immune response. The antigen enters the body. What an antigen is, only an allergist can say based on the results of specialized tests. In a general sense, this is a substance to which a person is allergic.

Most often, the cause of an allergic cough is animal hair, house dust, plant pollen, red food (due to the content of natural dyes in them). After the invasion of the antigen, the immune system produces antibodies designed to fight the "intruder".

An antigen-antibody complex is formed. A similar structure settles on the surface of healthy cells, destroying them. In addition, as a result of a chemical reaction of antigen destruction, mast cells (basophils), which contain a large amount of histamine in their structure, are damaged. Histamine, actively spreading, also destroys cells.

Accordingly, what has been said applies to particular cases as well.

An allergic cough in a child develops according to this pattern. The "antigen-antibody" complex is localized on the walls of the bronchi, trachea (upper and lower respiratory tract), causes the destruction of local epithelial tissue cells. As a result, a cough reflex is provoked (due to irritation of a special bronchial epithelium, designed to cause a cough).

In addition, the walls of the respiratory tract are also irritated by sputum, which is abundantly produced. Its function is to remove pathogenic microflora. But in this case, the pathogen simply does not exist. The whole reaction from beginning to end is false, but it causes considerable discomfort.

Possible causes of the formation of an allergic cough

There are at least 6 main reasons for the development of this manifestation:

• Laryngitis. It is an allergic lesion of the larynx. It develops both in children and in. This pathology of allergic genesis accounts for only about 15% of all clinical cases (an insignificant figure).
• Allergic tracheitis. It is an inflammation of the trachea of ​​allergic origin.
• allergic bronchitis. As its name implies, this is an inflammation of the walls of the bronchi of an allergenic etiology.
• Bronchial asthma. Severe allergic polyetiological disease. It is a specific inflammation of the structures of the bronchi and lungs. It occurs quite often (one case per 10,000 representatives of the population of developed countries). Most often, the disease begins in childhood and progresses as they grow older. In some cases, everything happens the other way around: the disease recedes with age.
• Allergic inflammation of the oropharynx.
• Quincke's edema.

These diseases can be distinguished only by characteristic symptoms.

Symptoms of an allergic cough in a child

An experienced doctor is already able to make an approximate diagnosis during the initial examination, when interviewing the patient. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the disease only on the basis of such a symptom as an allergic cough in a child. This requires an objective study.

However, even on your own, listening to your own feelings, you can assume the presence of a particular disease. What are the characteristic symptoms?

Allergic laryngitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Pain in the throat, just below the soft palate. The pain syndrome is raw, burning. The feeling of discomfort can radiate behind the sternum, into the region of the heart (which is why it will be falsely mistaken for a heart attack or an angina attack). The allergic form of laryngitis is characterized by the absence of a rise in body temperature. The pain syndrome is aggravated by swallowing, talking.
• Hoarseness of voice. The voice may disappear completely, it all depends on the severity of the allergic reaction. Perhaps the development of laryngitis in combination with Quincke's edema.
• Feeling of a foreign object in the throat. It develops due to dryness of the mucous membrane.
• Throat scratching sensation.
• Cough . Cough with laryngitis is dry, the so-called. "barking cough" because it is similar in character to the barking of a dog. Later, after a few days, sputum appears. The cough becomes wet, with a clear discharge (a major difference from bronchiectasis and other non-allergic diseases, in which sputum is rarely light-colored). It is characteristic of allergic laryngitis that the duration of the disease is only a few days.
• Shortness of breath. Testifies in favor of a hard current process. Difficulty breathing requires immediate medical attention.

The disease can develop acutely, or maybe gradually, over a long period of time. The chronic form tends to constantly recur. Symptoms are especially noticeable at night and in the morning. During the day, they weaken or completely disappear.

Tracheitis

Similar in character to laryngitis. It has the following specific manifestations:

1. Cough. Cough is fundamentally different. It is dry, without sputum, persists throughout the day. In the morning, a wet cough prevails with the release of a large amount of viscous sputum of a light shade. Without expectorants, she departs extremely poorly.
2. Pain behind the sternum. It is impossible to accurately determine its location. Gives back.
3. Pain syndrome in the neck. As a rule, this is where the source of pain is located.

allergic bronchitis

Characteristic manifestations:

• Constant painful cough at any time of the day.
• The sputum is mucous and does not go away without expectorants at all. It has no shape at all or has the shape of balls (according to the nature of the alveoli).

Bronchial asthma - along with Quincke's edema, this is the most severe, and sometimes fatal, allergic disease.. Typical for her:

• Paroxysmal flow. In the most severe cases, it is possible to develop several attacks per day.
• Chronic nature.
• Duration of symptoms.
• Strengthening of pathological symptoms during the night.
• Shortness of breath, suffocation (on contact with an allergen).
• The allocation of a small amount of sputum after an attack (usually).

As far as can be judged, allergic cough in a child whose symptoms are described and treatment should begin immediately, refers to non-specific manifestations.

It is inherent in many diseases at once. Instrumental and laboratory studies are called upon to put an end to the issue of differential diagnosis.

The difference between allergic cough and cough in infectious diseases

There are two fundamental differences between an allergic cough in a child and an infectious-inflammatory cough.

First and the most important difference is the nature of the sputum produced. In allergic diseases, it is always and in all cases transparent. This allows you to exclude the bacterial process.

Second the difference is the nature of the cough itself. It is paroxysmal, dry and the attack lasts, on average from several hours to several days. At its end, the specificity of the cough process changes: the described manifestation becomes wet, a large amount of medium-viscous sputum is released.

Summing up, we can say that cough with allergies has the following properties:

• He is dry, perhaps barking.
• It is painful in nature, it is impossible to cough normally.
• It is less prolonged, although it can last for years in the form of seizures.
• There are multiple accompanying symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, flow of tears, itchy skin, since the reaction is usually complex.
• The amount of sputum increases at the end of the attack.
• The sputum is light, without inclusions of yellow or green pus.

Taking conventional antitussive drugs does not help, since the nature of the process is by no means inflammatory. But the attack is quickly removed by taking antihistamine drugs..

Diagnostics

If the upper respiratory tract is affected, consultation with an ENT doctor will also be required.

Before starting the treatment of allergic cough in a child whose symptoms have already been considered, a thorough diagnosis is required. The examination begins for the patient with the selection of a specialized specialist. Such a doctor is an allergist or pulmonologist-allergist.

At the initial appointment, the doctor will ask questions regarding the nature and duration of complaints. Already at this stage, as noted above, it is possible to make an approximate diagnosis.

Then comes the turn of functional studies: the doctor listens to the patient's breathing, dry or moist scattered rales are usually noted (typical for allergies).

Instrumental studies include:

• FVD. The function of external respiration is designed to assess the condition of the lungs and airways, the vital volume of the lungs and other indicators.
• Endoscopy (laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy). Allows you to assess the condition of the respiratory tract, see with your own eyes the walls of the respiratory system.

Unfortunately, most instrumental studies are powerless to establish the nature of the process. This requires specialized laboratory tests.

• The first and most important is an allergic test. Small scratches are applied to the skin, after which they are smeared with concentrates of various substances. By the nature of the inflammation, it is determined whether there is an allergy and to what.
• provocative tests. Should only be done in a hospital setting.
• General blood analysis. The main indicator of the presence of allergies is eosinophilia (high levels of eosinophils in the blood).
• A blood test for immunoglobulin E. Designed to assess the presence or absence of allergies.

These studies are sufficient to make an accurate diagnosis. If necessary, X-rays, MRI / CT are prescribed (all these examinations are needed to exclude third-party non-allergic processes).

Treatment

Treatment of allergic cough in a child is predominantly medication. Several groups of drugs are used:

1. Antihistamines. There is some dilemma here, which generation of medicine to choose. To stop the acute manifestation of allergies in the form of coughing and suffocation, first-generation pharmaceuticals (Tavegil, Suprastin, Pipolfen, etc.) are best suited. If it is necessary to stop mild manifestations, preference should be given to third-generation drugs: Cetrin and others. Second-generation drugs are strictly prohibited, they have a toxic effect on the heart.
2. Preparations based on corticosteroids. Designed to eliminate allergic manifestations, as they say, "on the vine". They can only be used in a hospital setting. Such drugs should be administered to children with great caution.
3. Inhalation drugs (Salbutamol, Berodual, etc.). Needed to quickly relieve bronchospasm and eliminate coughing.
4. Expectorant drugs (Bromhexine, Ambrobene, etc.).

In the complex of these drugs is enough to relieve an allergy attack.

Prevention

Prevention of allergic cough is to exclude contact with the allergen, as far as possible.

Thus, allergic cough in children is a non-specific symptom. It manifests itself in various diseases. It is extremely difficult to figure out the reasons on your own, moreover, this is a dead end path. You need to see a doctor. This will make the most reasonable decision.

Allergy Medicines – School of Dr. Komarovsky

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Cough can be a manifestation of various diseases, but it does not always speak specifically about the disease, being sometimes a protective reaction of the body from external influences that are harmful to it. For example, when it comes to allergies. This situation is often faced by young parents and begin to stuff the child with medicines. But before you treat allergic, you urgently need to make a diagnosis and understand what exactly caused it. Then eliminate the cause.

What is an allergy?

In medicine, an allergy is a reaction of the body's defense system to certain irritants. We can say that it is beneficial, because if the immune system had not reacted to the negative impact, the body might not have coped. And so measures are taken, the effect of the allergen is eliminated, and everything returns to normal.

"What is the treatment for allergic cough in a child?" - one of the most popular questions that young mothers ask in the offices of pediatricians. The current generation of children is not distinguished by strong immunity, and allergies at a tender age, alas, are a frequent occurrence.

Who is at risk?

Someone never wonders how an allergic cough in a child is treated. Allergy symptoms never make themselves felt. Some people suffer all their lives.

Whether a person is allergic or not, as a rule, becomes clear already in infancy. Children whose bodies react violently to certain foods or other substances with skin rashes are likely to continue to suffer from allergic reactions. Parents of these kids need to be on the lookout all the time.

In addition, the cause of allergies in the future can be diseases transferred in infancy, when immunity is still practically at zero. It is difficult for the body to fight the sore, and it fails.

Are at risk and those children whose close relatives also suffer from allergies. The hereditary factor in this case is of great importance.

Allergy Prevention

One of the most alarming conditions for parents is a dry allergic cough in a child. Than to treat it and stuff the child with drugs, of course, it is better to prevent the disease.

And prevention should begin even during the bearing of the baby. From the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman should walk a lot away from polluted highways, refuse to eat obviously and, of course, cross out all bad habits.

Both before and after the birth of a child, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness in the house - to do wet cleaning, to ventilate the room more often. It is better to protect the newborn from contact with animals. At the slightest suspicion of diathesis, the baby should be urgently shown to the doctor.

Allergic cough symptoms

So, what is the treatment for allergic cough in a child whose symptoms are quite specific? Before giving any medication, it should be precisely established that the baby is coughing precisely because of the allergy. The main symptoms of an allergic cough are:

Types of Allergic Cough

Experts distinguish several types of allergic cough. Among them are:

• Dry - most often occurs during cold or heat.
• Barking character - accompanied by a hoarse voice. Sounds like the barking sound of a dog. Breathing is difficult.
• Night cough - lasts a long time (two to three hours). The eyes are watery, clear mucus flows from the nasal passages.

How to distinguish an allergic cough from the symptoms of bronchitis or whooping cough?

As noted above, coughing can be manifestations of various diseases, including bronchitis or whooping cough. It is important for parents to correctly assess the condition of the baby in order to take the necessary measures in time. After all, in particular, whooping cough can pose a direct threat to life, and you can not hesitate to get medical help.

Of course, it is best to immediately consult a doctor. Competent doctors, before treating an allergic cough in a child, analyze the symptoms in depth. And they make the right decisions. And parents, being in an anxious state, are not always able to think soberly.

But still, how is it different from other diseases?

Allergy diagnostics

How and how allergic cough is treated in a child, diagnosis will help to say for sure. After all, even if the fact of an allergy is not questioned, it is difficult to determine what exactly it is caused by.

First of all, the pediatrician examines the baby, listens to him, assesses the nature of the cough, measures the temperature and talks with the parents, determining the type of disease. If there is an allergy, a special test is performed. Small incisions are made on the skin in the forearm area with a scarifier, which are filled with a certain reagent (allergen in small doses). If redness or blisters appear on the skin, itching begins, etc., then it is this allergen that causes the cough reaction. The reason is found - you can prescribe treatment. (This type of diagnosis is not carried out in relation to children under three years of age).

Often, when making a diagnosis, a blood test for the level of immunoglobulin is also prescribed, which allows to detect allergic reactions.

What can cause an attack?

Obviously, in search of an answer to the question of how an allergic cough is treated in a child, determining the cause plays a very important role. The list of provoking factors is huge, but the main ones are:

So, what is the treatment for allergic cough in a child?

After making a diagnosis and identifying the allergen, the first thing to do is to isolate the child from the irritant, or at least minimize contact.

If the incident nevertheless occurred (the child grabbed the cat and coughed heavily), the attack is removed with a special drug (Suprastin, Tavegil, Diazolin, Erius, etc.). But only after the allergen is removed to a safe distance, otherwise there will be no effect. Injections stop the attack within ten minutes. Tablets are somewhat slower - they begin to act in twenty to thirty minutes.

In cases where the allergen cannot be removed, they will not help - hormonal ones are needed. Allergy inevitably causes intoxication of the body, for the elimination of which they take white coal, "Smecta" and similar drugs.

What is the treatment for allergic cough in a child yet? Children over three years of age may be recommended the “hardening” method, when an allergen is injected under the skin, each time increasing the dose, and as a result, the body develops immunity. Cough is well eliminated by inhalation, expanding the bronchi.

When in a non-acute period, doctors often prescribe Gerbion syrup based on plantain. This and some other plants are true friends of allergy sufferers, which is well known to traditional medicine.

Folk ways to deal with allergic cough

"Whose children have an allergic cough, what do you treat?" - sometimes an alarmed mother asks other parents. And experienced parents share proven folk recipes:

• drip aloe juice into the nose (well removes phlegm);
• boiled and chopped bay leaf mixed with a few teaspoons of honey and a pinch of soda - give a remedy during an attack;
• as a drink for attacks, use the water in which the onions were boiled (several onions per liter);
• gargle with water (you can add sea salt) after walking.

A favorite of moms and dads, who has already become almost a legend, Dr. Komarovsky, answering the question of how to relieve an attack and how an allergic cough is treated in a child, urges not to panic and approaches the situation with humor. So, for example, he considers the first remedy for an allergic cough ... the establishment of a dog. Which will "bring" parents out for walks with their children. And fresh air for an allergic person is the best medicine.

The doctor also advises to humidify the room (during attacks, you can open the hot water tap in the bathroom to create steam). And another sure remedy is to drink plenty of water.

Komarovsky is categorically against total purity, which, in his opinion, just leads to allergic reactions of an unhardened organism. But, of course, it is necessary to keep order, because an excess of dust is harmful for a healthy person, but for an allergic person it is fatal.

The doctor agrees with his colleagues that the first step should be, if possible, to exclude the patient's contact with the allergen (that is, completely eliminate the cause), and then treat the effect. Otherwise, there will be no positive result.

And of course, physical activity, hardening, quality products, clothing made from natural fabrics and most importantly (as in any business) - a positive attitude!

Allergic cough paroxysmal and dry. Accompanied by itching in the throat and nose. Sometimes clear sputum is secreted, in which there are no purulent inclusions. Symptoms of an allergic cough in a child worsen in the evening and closer to night. Some attacks begin suddenly and last 1 to 2 hours. Only antihistamines can stop them. An allergic cough can turn into bronchitis or asthma if its cause is not eliminated in a timely manner.

Home diagnostics

Treatment of any disease begins with diagnosis. Allergic cough can be provoked by:

• dust and mites living in down pillows;
• hair or saliva of a pet;
• bird feathers;
• household chemicals;
• cosmetics;
• pollen of indoor and wild plants;
• Food.

Mom, in order to determine the cause of pharyngitis, starts a child's diary. In it, she writes down what plants the baby came into contact with during a walk, what he ate, what he played with and washed his hands. In the diary, you need to indicate the composition of the dishes, as well as the brand of powder, baby shower gel and other detergents. If cats or dogs live in the house, the mother records the time when the child was in contact with the animal, and then the baby's reaction to the wool.

The most common food allergens to watch out for include:

• citruses;
• smoked meats;
• canned food;
• sausages;
• mushrooms;
• eggs;
• exotic vegetables.

If it was not possible to independently determine the cause of the cough, the child is shown to a pediatrician and an allergist. Specialists give directions for biochemical and general blood tests, X-rays of the lungs and bronchi. For children from 3 years old, skin tests are done: several common allergens are applied to the forearm and the reaction is monitored. After identifying the cause, the doctor selects antihistamines that remove the cough and other symptoms.

Cleanliness and fresh air

The house where the allergic child lives should be clean. Parents dust daily, wash floors, regularly vacuum upholstered furniture and refuse carpets. Down pillows and blankets are replaced with options with synthetic fillers. Dirt, dust, sweat and mites do not accumulate in polyester and ecofiber. Pillows filled with buckwheat husks are also suitable for children.

An ordinary soft toy can provoke an allergy. The child is bought plastic cars, dolls and dishes, designers and various board games. But no teddy bears, bunnies and other animals.

Parents are forbidden to smoke in the house and even on the balcony. Smoke and the smell of tobacco that remains on clothes and seeps into rooms can cause bronchial spasms and an allergic dry cough.

Pets are regularly bathed, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms. A child may perceive cat hair and saliva normally, but a dirty animal is a source of ticks, helminths and infections that weaken the immune system and make it susceptible to allergens.

Children who have a dry spasmodic cough should not walk near highways. Exhaust fumes and dust irritate the nasal mucosa and cause itching. In winter and autumn, you can go to the park and breathe fresh air. In spring and summer, during the period of active flowering, you should avoid alleys planted with shrubs, trees and ornamental plants.

Diet for cough

With an exacerbation of an allergic cough, all dangerous foods are removed from the child's diet:

• orange vegetables and fruits;
• almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and peanuts;
• natural cow's milk;
• mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup;
• smoked meats and sausages;
• bee products;
• chocolate and sweet pastries;
• mushrooms;
• sea ​​fish;
• products containing preservatives.

Contraindicated in duck and goose allergy symptoms. With caution, the child is given chicken and turkey breast. Poultry meat is replaced with beef or rabbit. Instead of cow's milk, they give goat's milk, but in small quantities.

Green vegetables are allowed: zucchini, broccoli, cucumbers, white cabbage, eggplant, and cereals. Useful cottage cheese, prunes, bananas and black bread. You can green apples and boiled potatoes.

Prohibited foods are introduced into the children's diet after successful cough treatment. First, they give 30 g of pumpkin or red apple puree, then increase the portion if the body reacts normally to new components.

Products that cause an allergic cough are left on the menu. But they give the child literally 10-15 g of strawberries, mushrooms or milk. Gradually, the body gets used to the component and stops producing antibodies.

Cough preparations

An injection of "Suprastin" helps to quickly stop a coughing fit. The medicine is released in the form of tablets, but they act after 20 minutes. An injection removes allergy symptoms in 5-10 minutes.

Antihistamines are prescribed to children from the age of one month. Infants are prescribed "Fenistil" or "Suprastin". Patients from 6 months are given drops of "Ketotifen" and "Zyrtec". Children who are 1 year old are prescribed Zodak in liquid form and Erius.

Cetrin syrup is prescribed from the age of two, and Ketotifen tablets from the age of three. With an allergic cough, children are given Diazolin, Loratadin and Tavegil.

Between doses of antihistamines, it is recommended to cleanse the body with sorbents. Suitable "Polysorb", activated carbon, "Enterosgel" and "Polifepan". Means facilitate coughing fits, reducing the concentration of allergens in the blood.

Pharmacy sorbents are supplemented with seeds or milk thistle oil. The plant cleanses the body of toxins and allergens, soothes sore throat and bronchial tubes, has wound healing and hepatoprotective properties. Dried seeds are ground into powder and given to the child 5 g twice a day. Milk thistle oil is used in a similar way. It is impossible to abuse the plant, otherwise the allergic cough will not disappear, but will intensify.

Irritation and perspiration in the larynx are removed by Glycodin. The syrup softens the mucous membrane of the throat and bronchi, relieves attacks of dry cough. Children under 7 years old are given 5 ml of the drug 4 times a day. For allergies in a schoolchild, the portion is increased to half a teaspoon.

A cough that occurs due to plant pollen or dust is stopped with Levocabastin, Kromoheksal or Allergodil sprays. Drugs are prescribed from the age of 6. The medicine is injected into the nasal passages. It removes swelling, inflammation and perspiration. Washes out particles of pollen and dust.

Allergic coughs are treated with antihistamine syrups, tablets, and sprays. But with a complication of the disease, corticosteroids can be prescribed. Hormone therapy restores the functioning of the bronchi and lungs, protects against asthma.

Immunotherapy

Children from 3-4 years of age are given specific immunotherapy. Doctors identify the allergen and then inject it into the body by injection or by mouth. The method makes the body get used to the product that causes cough, runny nose and swelling.

• household chemicals;
• wool, saliva and dander of domestic animals;
• mold and fungi living on the walls of the apartment;
• dairy products;
• citrus;
• pollen of ambrosia and other plants;
• dust.

Immunotherapy is an expensive and time-consuming procedure. Sometimes the course of treatment is delayed for 3-5 years. But the child gets rid of not only cough, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and other symptoms, but also allergies. The body gradually gets used to citrus or pollen and begins to perceive them as neutral.

Treatment takes place at home. The doctor selects drugs and doses. The first procedure is carried out in a hospital to monitor the reaction of the child's body to the allergen, and then they are allowed to take medications on their own.

Inhalations

Dry cough is relieved by a nebulizer. The device is intended for inhalation for colds, bronchitis, tracheitis and pharyngitis. The nebulizer is filled with mineral water or saline. The device turns the liquid into steam, which cleanses the airways of allergens and moisturizes the mucous membrane, removing tickling.

Mineral water is replaced with special preparations designed to stabilize the mast cell membrane. Children from 6 months of age are prescribed the hormonal remedy "Pulmicort". The medicine prevents spasms in the bronchi, removes inflammation and swelling of the airways. The drug "Pulmicort" is diluted with saline. The dosage is selected depending on the age of the child and the neglect of the disease.

Means "Berodual" is prescribed to patients with dry allergic cough and too viscous sputum. The drug expands the lumen of the bronchi, facilitating breathing, and reduces spasms. Berodual, like Pulmicort, is mixed with saline.

Allergic pharyngitis is treated with "Eufillin" and "Ventolin". The drugs relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi, expanding their lumen. They moisturize the mucosa, thin the sputum and gradually reduce the frequency and duration of coughing fits.

Spasms in the bronchi and lungs are removed by Berotek. A 1% solution is poured into the nebulizer, which is prepared from 10 drops of the drug and 1 liter of liquid. Steam inhalations are carried out 4 times a day. The procedure can be combined with antihistamine drugs and a special diet that will speed up the recovery of the child.

Massage and breathing exercises

With frequent and prolonged bouts of coughing, parents are advised to conduct a finger massage. The child lies on his stomach on a bed or sofa, hanging his chest down. Mom holds the baby's legs with one hand, and the second taps on the back in the region of the bronchi and lungs. The fingers move quickly but gently. Lightly “run” along the child’s chest, kneading it and removing spasms. Massage liquefies sputum and facilitates expectoration, relaxes the smooth muscles of the respiratory system.

Children from 5-6 years old are recommended to do special exercises for allergic cough. Mom can work with the child. Breathing exercises develop the muscles of the chest and bronchi, protect against asthma and calm the nerves.

The execution technique is simple:

1. Mom and baby sit on a mat or just on the floor, close their eyes and listen to their own breathing. Feel how the lungs fill with air and push it out.
2. They take a long breath. Breathe in through the nose until there is no room left in the lungs. It is necessary to involve both the chest and the stomach. Then exhale sharply and quickly through the mouth. Repeat 3-4 times.
3. Then the mother and child take three short breaths, gradually filling the lungs with oxygen. On the count of “4”, all carbon dioxide is exhaled sharply. Three repetitions are enough.
4. Mom and baby mentally count from 1 to 4 and at this time take one continuous breath. The air is taken in slowly, working only with the nose. They imagine that oxygen descends to the lungs, and then flows down to the navel. They hold their breath while counting to eight. If the baby does not succeed, you can reduce to 6 or 4, and then gradually increase the number. The air is exhaled in eight counts in short bursts.

Gymnastics can be combined with moderate physical activity. Suitable for swimming, rollerblading or cycling. Skates and skis are contraindicated. A child should drink 150–200 ml of mineral or distilled water before training. The fluid prevents the accumulation of mucus in the lungs and protects against coughing fits.

Folk methods

Allergic pharyngitis caused by dust or animal hair is treated with a decoction of bay leaves:

1. Boil 20 g of spice in 500 ml. The drink is brought to a boil, and after 5 minutes it is removed.
2. 25 g of baking soda is added to the filtered medicine.
3. The medicine is filled with 30 ml of linden honey.

The child drinks 50-60 ml of medication daily until the attacks stop.

With an allergic cough, it is advised to strengthen the immune system with a lemon-honey drink:

1. A medium-sized citrus is washed, doused with boiling water and passed through a meat grinder without peeling.
2. For 100 g of lemon gruel, you will need a glass of linden honey.
3. The products are mixed and diluted with 400 ml of distilled water.
4. The drink is placed in a water bath and heated to 40-50 degrees.

The heat-treated medicine is cooled to room temperature and divided into 3-4 portions. The child drinks the remedy for the day, it is possible both before and after meals.

Important: Lemon-honey drink should not be brought to a boil. At a temperature of +60 degrees and above, the vitamins evaporate, and the medicine loses its beneficial properties.

Viscous sputum with an allergic cough is diluted with camphor oil. The product is heated to 37–39 degrees and rubbed into the chest. Mustard plasters are applied to the right side, wrapped with cling film and a thick scarf on top. Camphor compress is kept for 20-30 minutes.

Allergic cough in children is treated with folk and pharmacy remedies, a nebulizer and a diet. To prevent pharyngitis, it is advised to do breathing exercises, swim a lot, keep the house clean and strengthen the child's immunity with outdoor walks and vitamin complexes.

Video: how to distinguish an allergic cough from an infectious one