What should parents do when their child has a cough?

SKĐS - Coughing in young children is a common problem, which can be caused by viral infections of the nasal and throat passages leading to inflammation and mucus secretion in the respiratory tract lining.

Coughing is a common symptom in children, especially young children. A child's cough may simply be a sign of a common cold, but it can also be caused by various bacterial infections of varying severity.

Coughing is a bodily reflex that protects the lungs and airways when waste products or agents obstruct breathing. Coughing helps expel waste products such as shed mucous membranes, dead cells, invading bacteria, pus, and other respiratory debris caused by infection.

Children's coughs often cause anxiety for families. Many parents, upon seeing their children cough, self-medicate at home, which can be harmful to the child.

Content

• Caring for a child with a cough at home.
• Give children plenty of water to drink and feed them easily digestible, palatable, and nutritious food.
• Certain foods should be avoided.
• When should we take our child to the doctor?

Caring for a child with a cough at home.

Meals should be divided into smaller portions to avoid children having difficulty eating, vomiting, or choking. For breastfeeding babies, mothers can continue breastfeeding as usual. Coughing can make children lose their appetite and feel tired, and combined with a sore and irritated throat, they may not want to eat.

- Do not cook the food too watery, as this will not provide the baby with enough energy.

- You should supplement your diet with foods rich in vitamin A, zinc, and iron, such as beef, chicken, eggs, and dark green or red leafy vegetables.

- Mothers should pay special attention to their child's hygiene: After each cough, use a warm, soft cloth to wipe away any phlegm from the child's mouth. For older children, mothers can have them rinse their mouths with warm salt water. After each vomiting episode, mothers should instruct their children on oral hygiene. For younger children, saline solution should be used to rinse their noses.

In addition, parents should pay attention to:

- Keep your baby warm.

- Limit your child's exposure to cigarette smoke, dust, and chemicals.

Coughing is a common symptom in children, especially young children.

- Keep the living environment and household items clean, especially those frequently used by children. And wash your hands regularly with soap.

• Certain foods should be avoided.

- Avoid sugary foods, as these types of foods will worsen your cough.

- Fried foods can make your stomach feel heavier.

- Foods high in fat cause more mucus to be produced than normal.

Soothe your child's throat with traditional herbal remedies such as: Steamed kumquats/lemons with rock sugar/honey; Steamed white rose petals with rock sugar…

You can gently pat the child's back to help loosen phlegm. Alternatively, you can use baby massage oils, gently massaging the chest area for about 5 minutes, then turning the child over to the back and repeating the process. Doing this before bedtime can help reduce discomfort and promote better sleep. Be careful not to expose the child to drafts or use a fan.

Do not use antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Antibiotics do not reduce cough symptoms and do not prevent the development of pneumonia.

Avoid using medications that could harm children, such as:

Cough medicines contain Atropine and Codeine.

Do not use nasal drops containing medications such as the vasoconstrictor naphazoline, antihistamines, or steroids without consulting a doctor.

When should we take our child to the doctor?

If any of the following signs appear, take your child to a medical facility immediately:

• Unable to drink water or refusing to breastfeed;
• The cough does not improve or worsens after two days;
• Fever;
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath

In summary: Coughing is a common problem in children, and it differs from adult coughing in both its causes and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the cause of the cough before using any medication.

For children under 2 years old, it is necessary to go to a medical facility for guidance on using cough suppressants; do not buy medicine for your child to take without consulting a doctor.

Cough suppressants and expectorants are often ineffective for children. Some cough suppressants and expectorants can be dangerous for children.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/tre-bi-ho-cha-me-phai-lam-gi-169260129101320509.htm