How To Identify The Type Of Cough In Children?
In children, coughing is a symptom of a natural body reaction and is very common during respiratory infections. So let’s use the following article to identify the type of cough in children and how to treat the symptoms that precede them.
The first thing you should consider is that children experience constant episodes of airway infection, which can cause coughing. Therefore, it is a very frequent situation, which increases in urban areas, due to atmospheric contamination or exposure to smoky spaces, pollution, among other factors.
A defense mechanism
Certainly, cough is a pulmonary defense mechanism that allows the expulsion of unwanted substances from the airways. It activates in response to irritation caused by an external agent, such as cold, for example.
Like adults, children can develop cough in many ways, although the two most common types are dry cough and phlegm cough. Next, we will analyze the main aspects of each of them.
What can be the cause of coughing in children?
- Chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
- Intake of some medication.
- Stomach problems.
- Infections or sinusitis.
- Irritations.
Types of cough in children: dry cough and cough with phlegm
How to identify dry cough?
A dry or irritating cough is typical of laryngeal inflammation and is easy to identify as, unlike a cough with phlegm, it does not produce mucus. In addition, it is a cough that sometimes appears accompanied by loss of voice.
In some cases, a dry cough is painful, accompanied by burning and a strange sensation in the body. It may appear more intensely during the day or at night, although it usually manifests more during the day.
This type of cough is caused by irritation of the throat and bronchi . In most cases, the problem is caused by a benign infection. In more particular cases, it is the result of a bacterial infection.
Dry cough in children is usually caused by colds, air contamination, or a milder allergy. So you shouldn’t worry too much.
Usually, within a few days, this type of cough turns into a cough with phlegm, and as a result, the difficulty in breathing disappears. At the same time, it is very important for the child to drink plenty of water or hot drinks to dissolve the mucus and facilitate the recovery process.
On the other hand, if the cough continues, it is likely an acute inflammation of the trachea or pharynx, or the phlegm is too solid to be cleared.
How to identify cough with phlegm?
Coughing with phlegm is also known as productive cough, due to the abundant presence of mucus, mainly produced by the bronchi. Usually, when the phlegm is cleared, there are no more coughing episodes.
This type of cough confirms that there are secretions in the airways, letting out those in the throat and lungs, although there is no irritation.
Certainly, coughing up phlegm frightens moms a lot – perhaps probably due to the characteristic sound – although it doesn’t always mean that the child has an infection. In fact, coughing up phlegm represents the beginning of recovery because the mucus clears the airways. In addition, it also expels viruses and bacteria that may be in this passage.
The causes are usually related to colds, flu or inflammation of the airways. A cough with phlegm usually takes a long time to go away and develops for at least 4 or 5 days.
When do I need to see a doctor?
Cough in children needs special attention when other associated symptoms arise. In children, the use of medicines to eliminate coughing should preferably be carried out only under medical supervision.
If your child is under 6 years of age, you will need to consult a health care professional to determine the appropriate treatment. In any case, the following symptoms can determine when you need to see a doctor, whatever the type of cough:
- Difficulty breathing or eating.
- Unusual behavior (discomfort, pain).
- Fever along with cough.
- Appearance of other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, rash, etc.
- Cough persistence for more than three days without any improvement.
- Blue lips.
- Noise in breathing.
- Possibility of having inhaled an object.
Finally, you need to be aware that the main physiological difference between the two types of cough mentioned is the presence or absence of phlegm. Regardless of the cause, it is always recommended to consult a specialist; especially if the cough persists for more than 8 days or is accompanied by a fever of more than 38°C.
