Cough is one of the symptoms that most leads children to the pediatrician, and a regular companion for many winter nights and when school starts. But we must know that, far from being worrying, cough It is part of a beneficial response of the organism when there is an infection that affects the respiratory system, from the nose to the lungs.
And it is that through cough the body tries to "expel" respiratory secretions that contain germs that are precisely the ones that produce it. And, although usually not worrying, it can be very annoying, so it is normal for parents to try to mitigate the cough of the little ones. But, Can you calm your cough with medicines?
In the latest issue of the Bulletin of the electronic information magazine for parents of the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, the child's cough, the medicines to treat it, and the attitude parents should take towards this symptom are discussed.
An interesting review that clarifies many questions and to consider the next time the children have a good cold and go to the medicine cabinet.
And, although there are indeed many medicines to treat cough or nasal mucus, these drugs have not proven effective in relieving cough. In a habitual way, this will disappear little by little, as the cause that produces it is resolved.
But it is usual that if we give a cough syrup to the child it calms down. The explanation lies in the fact that, since the cough is almost always the result of a simple cold, the natural evolution of the cough is spontaneous healing within a period of approximately seven days.
In this situation, it is often the case that the start of treatment with a cough medicine can coincide with the spontaneous evolution of the cold towards healing.
Before giving medicine to the child
Before giving children a medicine to calm cough, it should be borne in mind that many are not harmless but may have side effects in children. Some of these symptoms may be drowsiness or constipation.
We have already seen in the blog that colds are not cured with medicines, and that certain considerations have to be taken into account if we give drugs to cold children. In this regard, special care must be taken with children under two years of age.
The possibility of presenting side effects due to the use of cough drugs is higher in small ones than in older children. That is why it is recommended that children under two years of age should avoid any drug other than antipyretic drugs (and these, with all caution and when necessary).
We repeat that the cough is a defensive mechanism that ensures the permeability of the airways by expelling any irritating substance, in the case of colds the mucus. Dryness can be harmful and increase cough, so it is recommended adequate hydration, maintain environmental humidity and drink water to calm the cough.
Another remedy that is better than cough drugs is honey, which softens the throat. This result could be explained by the antioxidant and antimicrobial effect of honey together with the increase in salivation that all sweet substances produce.
When to see a doctor if the child has a cough
Specialists recommend that if the cough persists, the parents should take the child to the doctor so that he can determine their origin. The cough can be a consequence of many different diseases, although, the vast majority of the time, it is from simple colds.
The Spanish Association of Primary Care Education (AEPap) recommends that we should check with the pediatrician If the child has:
- Trouble breathing or breathing faster than usual.
- The lips, face or tongue of a bluish or dark color.
- Stridor (a loud sound or a high whistle) to inspire.
- Wheezing when the air is expelled (except if your doctor has already given you guidelines for the treatment of asthma at home).
- Fever and less than three months old.
- Fever that persists for more than 72 hours (especially if the child coughs but does not have a runny or stuffy nose).
- Pain or suppuration of ears, irritability or decay.
- In the first 72 hours of its beginning when the child is less than six months, especially in the cold months (November-March).
- If the cough increases and hinders the child's activities (sleep, food, school ...).
- If accompanied by mucus and lasts more than 10-14 days.
- If you have doubts or your common sense they advise you.
As childhood cough is sometimes a very annoying symptom especially for children, which makes it difficult to sleep, when it is caused by a simple cold it can be useful to clean the nostrils with physiological serum to decrease, in this way, the mucus falling into the throat (one of the main causes of cough in children).
Only in a minority of cases, the cough will be a consequence of a more serious illness such as, for example, bronchitis or pneumonia. When the cough is due to a disease that affects the lungs, the instructions of the pediatrician who will prescribe the most appropriate treatment should be followed.
According to specialists, the best attitudes parents can take is tranquility and patience: remember that colds last between seven and ten days, during which it is possible for the child to cough often.
But cough is beneficial in most cases, its specific treatment is not able to relieve its intensity and some of the medicines used for its treatment can be dangerous.
