What Causes A Child’s Dry Cough?
Cough is never an independent disease but a symptom. The cough reflex is stimulated by a variety of mechanical, chemical, and temperature-based stimuli as well as local neurotransmitters. Dry cough is a very common ailment in children, and today we will tell you what this type of cough can cause and how it can be relieved.
Different types of cough
The cough may be dry, mucous or wheezing and may be accompanied by shortness of breath. Different types of cough are treated differently.
- Mucous cough: Here, too much mucus builds up in the bronchi, which the body tries to remove by coughing. A mucous cough can be associated with, for example, bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and other lung diseases.
- Whistling cough: This refers to airway narrowing, which can be caused by asthma, COPD, or various infections, all of which require medical attention.
- Dry cough: This can be caused by, for example, allergies or the flu. The reasons for a dry cough are discussed in more detail below.
What causes a child’s dry cough?
Many things can cause a child to have a dry cough. Examples of these are:
- Allergies
- Environmental dust or chemicals
- Dry indoor air and air conditioners
- Reflux disease
- Irritation of flu, laryngitis or bronchitis
Different types of dry cough
Dry cough can be divided into two types based on duration:
- Acute cough: Does not last more than two weeks and is usually due to an upper respiratory tract infection.
- Prolonged cough: If the cough lasts for more than three weeks, it is called prolonged.
Assessing the type and cause of a cough can be difficult, which is why a child should always be taken to a doctor if his or her cough is prolonged.
Treatment of dry cough in a child
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to cure a cough, but parents can try to make it easier for a sick child to feel like this, for example:
- Cold drinks such as water or fruit juice, excluding citrus juices. The drink does not have to be ice cold, but room temperature or a little colder is enough.
- The humidifier maintains the optimal humidity level in the room air. Dry room air not only increases dust and electricity, but also irritates the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Proper humidity is most important in a bedroom where a lot of time is spent.
- Vapor inhalation. Inhaling moist and cool steam can ease a child’s congestion.
- A tablespoon of honey with lemon before going to bed. Coughing attacks often strike just before falling asleep and immediately after getting up. This is due to the horizontal position, which increases the feeling of irritation and congestion. Honey treats irritated mucous membranes, which in turn relieves coughs.
