Can a child have an allergic cough? Symptoms and treatment of allergic cough in children. Video: how to distinguish an allergic cough from an infectious one

Allergic cough in children is a sign of the presence of some type of allergy, and is its main symptom. A characteristic cough occurs due to the effect of the pathogen on the respiratory system and bronchi. Inflammatory foci may occur in the bronchi, but the body temperature is normal.

How to understand and identify the fact that a child has an allergic cough is a difficult task that only a specialist can solve.

A dry allergic cough has a paroxysmal nature and can bother a child for a long time, about 3 weeks. Allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion are easily added to this manifestation. In most cases, attacks occur at night or during close contact with an allergen.

It should be remembered that an allergic cough is a fairly common disease, but distinguishing an allergic cough from a cold is not so easy. Such signs of allergies are characteristic of children who suffer from this disease from birth. How can you tell if your child has an allergic cough?

The features of this process are the following points:

1. In a baby who suffers from diathesis, a characteristic cough appears much more often.
2. Failure to follow all the rules of complementary feeding is a fairly common problem that exposes the unformed body to attack by allergens.
3. Seasonal allergies can come and go without any control.

An allergist is a specialist who is able to give the child proper treatment, as well as carry out the necessary correction and prevention. There may be cases of acute manifestation of this symptom, in which case it is necessary to immediately seek help. Only by identifying and eliminating the allergen can you get effective treatment and a speedy recovery. A specialist, using the necessary diagnostic techniques, can collect all the necessary data for diagnosis. exact result.

Allergy is a disease that worries not only adults, but can also be detected in newborns. A specialist will tell you how to recognize and how to cure this condition.

A dry cough in a child can be the main symptom of an allergy and its manifestation. But determining the nature of this symptom is quite a difficult task, because it is not a cold and has a different nature.

Such a reaction can occur under the influence of a specific allergen, but this phenomenon is considered an individual symptom.

Allergy cough in children has the following symptoms:

1. A cough can occur suddenly, last quite a long time, and be barking and intrusive.
2. Attacks occur mainly at night; there may be no manifestations in the morning or during the day.
3. In most cases, it is a dry cough, moist cough also manifests itself, but much less frequently and has no a large number of sputum.
4. The cough may be accompanied by itching of the mucous membranes, nasal congestion, and lacrimation.

For small child Such symptoms bring a lot of trouble to the usual way of life. Tearfulness, irritability, anxiety occur, and serious complications may occur that require correction by a specialist. It should be remembered that allergies manifest themselves completely differently in each person, therefore cough has the most various signs. The symptoms of an allergic cough are pronounced and cannot go unnoticed, so only identifying the main causes and eliminating allergens is the right path to recovery.

Ignoring symptoms can lead to a worsening of the situation and, as a result, new diseases such as bronchial asthma appear.

With development modern world A large number of hidden factors have appeared that imperceptibly affect the general condition of a person, and also contribute to the occurrence of various diseases.

Experts recommend paying attention to the following possible reasons allergic manifestations:

1. In the life of every person there is a large amount of household chemicals, including personal hygiene products that contain dyes and chemical additives. This theory is confirmed by many scientists, because the influence of such cosmetics cannot pass without leaving a trace.
2. The active use of drugs, as well as antibiotics, makes adjustments to defense mechanisms person. Such an intervention is especially dangerous for children in the first year of life; an undeveloped immune system can lead to various failures and complications.
3. The chemical content of most foods also leads to food allergies. Most food products are susceptible to various additives, vegetables and fruits are processed chemical compounds and fertilizers.
4. Genetic predisposition: if parents suffer from allergies, then the risk of developing a negative reaction in the child increases significantly.

The reasons can be a variety of unusual phenomena, which are sometimes quite difficult to determine. The deterioration of the environment is making adjustments to the usual way of life of every person; allergic manifestations have begun to occur quite often in both adults and children.

Allergy symptoms and treatment are individual manifestations, and correction methods must take into account the entire clinical picture of the patient.

Today there is no exact theory of the origin of allergies, because with the development of civilization dangerous pathogens is getting bigger.

Therefore, how to determine the true irritant is quite a difficult task.

The following are the most common allergens that can cause symptoms:

• plant pollen;
• the result of animal activity;
• personal hygiene products;
• medications;
• food irritants.

It should be remembered that if a child has any allergy, then any other type of disease may occur. Coughing can be a harbinger not only of a cold, but also of a negative reaction of the body to an irritant. It is quite difficult for a child to explain everything that worries him, so sometimes a lot of attention is needed to determine the signs of a disease. Emergence allergy cough is a normal reaction of the body to the action of a stimulus. An allergen can be absolutely any factor, even from usual life person.

The allergy trigger acts as a hidden agent that can cause a negative response in the body.

Differences between a cold and an allergic cough

How to distinguish an allergic cough, an important and difficult aspect, what to do in such a situation? Just ask for professional help, the allergist will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment. Colds also often bother children, so they can manifest themselves in the form of a characteristic cough.

The following characteristic differences can be distinguished:

1. With allergies, the cough is dry, and may have attacks of suffocation and lack of air.
2. During a respiratory illness, the body temperature rises and fever begins.
3. Allergies can be noticed during seasonal exacerbations, as well as upon contact with an obvious allergen.
4. At night, the attacks only intensify, having some dynamics.

During an allergy, a small amount of sputum may be present, which has no color. Swelling of the mucous membranes of the throat leads to attacks of dry cough, which are quite difficult to stop, especially small child. Before the onset of such an attack, breathing difficulties, panic, and fear are possible.

With allergies, as with colds, cough is not the only symptom. In most cases, a number of specific signs occur that indicate the development of the disease.

Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and determine the true condition of the patient based on the results of all examinations.

Treatment of allergic cough in a child is a complex process that has a whole range of procedures and directions. Medicine for allergic cough for children should, of course, be prescribed only by a specialist who is familiar with the clinical picture general condition child. Relieving the symptoms of an allergic cough in a child is the primary task for the doctor. You need to take the pills strictly according to a schedule that is created individually.

How to treat and how to treat this condition are important aspects for every parent, so as not to aggravate the situation. Before starting therapy, it is important to carry out all the necessary diagnostic minimum. This item is mandatory in medical therapy. An allergic cough can be cured only with a correctly identified allergen and after it has been excluded from the child’s life. Medicinal properties Many drugs and folk remedies have it, but you should not self-medicate.

You can treat an allergic cough in a child in the following ways:

• elimination of the allergen;
• reduction of symptoms;
• treating the underlying cause;
• reception medicines.

For each specific case, specific therapy is prescribed, which includes all the features. How to relieve a night attack is an important question for parents. In this case, giving your child all the necessary medicines for an allergic cough can take care of his health. The doctor will give all the necessary recommendations on how to take the drug, with the help of which we relieve night attacks and others. For coughing, not only medicines are given, but folk remedies can also be an excellent alternative. healing infusions. The main thing is to consult with a specialist before starting use. This issue is dealt with by an allergist who determines appropriate therapy and treatment.

Treatment of allergic cough in children is a long process that takes a certain period. At this time, it is important to apply all the specialist’s prescriptions and follow his recommendations.

Content

Violation protective function human body, in which Negative consequences can cause seemingly harmless substances called allergies. Unexpectedly harmful factors include food, pollen different plants, animal fur and even sun or cold. How to recognize an allergic cough? The immune system of an allergic person exhibits an inadequate response to a certain type of pathogen. The cough in this case is accompanied by a number of other symptoms, which are described in more detail below.

Causes of the disease

As a rule, allergies appear in spring or summer, less often in cold seasons. When allergens enter the body, the immune system begins to attack foreign substances. As a result, symptoms arise - skin itching, redness, tearing, runny nose. An allergy cough begins as a result of irritation of the respiratory tract by a pathogen. Often the symptom is accompanied by inflammatory processes in the throat, trachea, and bronchi. The causative agents of such a cough are usually light volatile substances:

• pet hair;
• pollen;
• dust;
• mold spores.

Types of cough due to allergies

There are a large number of possible allergens that can cause this symptom in healthy people. However, a serious paroxysmal, suffocating cough, as a rule, is evidence of the body’s reaction to the pathogen. The symptom indicates that a person has a phenomenon such as an allergy. The cough inherent in the disease can be recognized by several signs - the absence of fever, skin manifestations, duration and suddenness of attacks. Allergic coughs are divided into 3 main types:

• dry;
• barking;
• wet.

Dry

Chemicals, gases, tobacco smoke, pollen, wool and many other substances can cause a dry cough. The manifestation of a symptom indicates an attempt by the body to eliminate the irritant that has gotten inside. Less commonly, a cough occurs as a side effect after taking medications - for example, tablets that regulate arterial pressure. If the cause of the allergic reaction is the use of medications, the reaction appears immediately after taking them.

Wet

Coughing with phlegm is often a sign of allergic rhinitis - inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which was caused by an allergen. The disease can be recognized by frequent sneezing, itching in the sinuses, heavy discharge mucus. An allergic wet cough causes a lot of inconvenience to a person, disrupting sleep, reducing mental and physical activity.

Barking

This symptom can be caused by an allergy to a certain product, plants, odors, household chemicals, or pet hair. It often appears in young children winter time when the air in the home becomes too dry due to infrequent ventilation. This leads to irritation of the lining of the respiratory tract. Characteristic features allergic barking cough are:

• absence of fever and runny nose;
• seasonal nature with periodic manifestations;
• Symptoms intensify upon close proximity/contact with the allergen.

Main signs and symptoms

Allergic cough is not a disease. It occurs as a result of the action of certain allergens on the respiratory tract. This type of cough sometimes leads to inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, and throat, which is also typical for other pathologies of the respiratory system. For this reason, a symptom may lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Find out the signs of allergic cough in adults and children.

In adults

It often has a paroxysmal character, starting suddenly. On average, it lasts several weeks without fever. More often, an allergic type cough begins at night; during the day, attacks occur less frequently. Coughing attacks at night in an adult cause serious inconvenience, preventing the allergy sufferer and his loved ones from sleeping. This becomes the main incentive to see a doctor. The symptom may be accompanied by:

• sputum without any impurities;
• itching in the nasopharynx or throat;
• sneezing.

Allergic cough during pregnancy absolutely cannot be treated on your own. Most drugs and remedies traditional medicine at this time it is contraindicated for women. If you do not go to the hospital in time, allergies can lead to the development of more serious illnesses- For example, bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis. Such pathologies can harm not only the mother, but also the baby.

In children

Children who suffered from diathesis rashes in infancy are more susceptible to allergies. This indicates their predisposition to the disease. A paroxysmal cough in a child can be stimulated by even a minimal amount of allergens. The symptom sometimes occurs as a consequence of not proper nutrition baby or untimely vaccination. A cough attack at night in a child, as a rule, is not accompanied by sputum secretion and more often occurs during the off-season. The reasons may be different: plant flowering, viral infections, and others.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

To determine the nature of the cough, people temporarily take cough suppressants. If medications have no effect on the disease, the symptom indicates an allergy. However, it is better not to experiment and immediately consult a doctor, since the treatment of a cough such as an allergic one is specific. In the hospital, you will be examined to identify the pathogen that you need to get rid of, and you will be prescribed drug therapy.

How and what to treat allergic cough

It is impossible for allergy sufferers to completely get rid of the disease, but it can be alleviated. It may relieve some symptoms, including cough. The main thing is to determine in time what caused the allergic reaction and stop contact with this substance. The doctor may prescribe antihistamines and recommend a suitable diet. Let us dwell on each method of treating cough as a symptom of allergy.

Identifying the allergen and stopping contact with it

The first step towards recovery will be to identify the allergen that provoked the body’s negative reaction. Sneezing, nasal congestion and cough are the main symptoms of allergies. Modern medicine methods for finding the pathogen are still unknown. It will be necessary to check the reaction to each possible allergen. To do this, resort to the following measures:

• alternately remove from the menu foods that could serve as an allergen;
• carry out wet cleaning of the home daily if a reaction to dust is possible;
• give the pet away for a while;
• change household products (for laundry, washing dishes);
• They do tests (skin tests using prick and scratch methods).

Diet therapy

How to cure allergies? For successful therapy, an allergist prescribes a special diet in addition to taking medications. Allergy sufferers are prone to display various symptoms of the disease. It is better for them to adhere to the prescribed diet constantly. The situation becomes especially acute during an exacerbation of allergies, when the body becomes hyperactive. At such a time, even fleeting contact with an irritant can lead to the active development of the disease. To reduce the risk, you must adhere to a diet and exclude from the menu:

• eggs;
• seafood, fish;
• spicy, salty, smoked, spicy, fatty foods;
• broths;
• sausages, sausages;
• liver;
• sauces such as ketchup, mayonnaise;
• sauerkraut, pickles;
• nuts;
• mushrooms;
• bright vegetables (tomatoes, radishes, bell pepper);
• citruses, berries;
• sharp, processed cheeses;
• chocolate, cocoa, coffee;
• sweets with flavors.

Drug therapy

If an allergic cough occurs, a course of treatment with antihistamines is required, which are prescribed by a doctor after identifying the causative agent of the allergy. As a rule, taking such drugs is long-term – it can last for 2-3 months. In special cases, antihistamines are taken for life. The group of antihistamines includes:

• "Suprastin";
• "Loratadine";
• "Cetirizine."

Since modern pharmaceuticals do not have drugs to completely cure allergies, the main goal of therapy is to suppress the symptoms of the disease. In case of allergic manifestations, the doctor prescribes a remedy whose action is aimed at the unhealthy organ. When coughing, an inhaler is often used. The drugs used for inhalation include:

• "Ventolin";
• "Eufillin";
• "Pulmicort".

When treating allergies, your doctor may prescribe enterosorbents. The substances act as additional therapeutic agents. Their use should not last longer than 14-16 days, since enterosorbents impair the absorption of vitamins and nutrients coming from food. In addition, it is forbidden to use such drugs simultaneously with antihistamine tablets, as their effect will be reduced. The group of enterosorbents includes:

• "Enterosgel";
• "Polysorb";
• "Filtrum STI".

If the causative agent of a person’s allergic reaction is fur, pollen or another volatile substance, the doctor prescribes a nasal antihistamine spray. Such gentle drugs are indicated even for small children. The spray effectively moisturizes the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and helps relieve unpleasant symptoms. The following nasal allergy medications are available:

• "Allergodil";
• "Cromohexal";
• "Levocabastine".

Folk remedies

Salt preparations, garlic and lemon are used in “grandmother’s” medicine:

1. Garlic syrup. Finely chop a couple of cloves of garlic, mix with a tablespoon of honey. When the cough mixture has been infused for 14 days, take a tablespoon of the product every morning. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. Syrup can be taken additionally when a coughing attack begins.
2. Saline solution. During the flowering of allergy-causing plants, rinse your sinuses and throat with a solution of sea salt (1 tablespoon per cup of warm water) several times a day.
3. Lemon jam. Pass 1 citrus through a meat grinder, mix with 4 tbsp. water and 2 tbsp. honey Cook the ingredients over low heat until the mixture becomes completely homogeneous. Cool the jam and take 1 tbsp for cough 5 times a day.

How to relieve a coughing attack in a child

If your baby begins to have a suffocating cough, you should immediately take emergency measures:

1. provide the child with enough fresh air;
2. give an antihistamine;
3. rinse your sinuses and throat with a weak saline solution (2 tsp per 1 cup of water) to remove pathogen particles from the respiratory tract;
4. if the baby does not get better after the measures taken, you need to call an ambulance.

Disease prevention

An important element of help for allergic phenomena is preventive, it includes:

• Cleaning and ventilation. Wash the floors in the house more often, ventilate the room at least three times a day. Avoid thick carpets as they collect dust, which can cause allergies. Get rid of other objects on which dirt accumulates (figurines, decorative items of intricate shapes).
• Minimal use of household chemicals. If you are allergic, try to avoid aggressive detergents. Give preference to natural-based cosmetics and household chemicals, without fragrances.
• Preventive measures. For allergic coughs, it is recommended to rinse your throat and nasopharynx 2-3 times a day. Follow the prescribed diet whenever possible.

Video: how to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold

The cause of an allergic type cough is always something that a person has recently come into contact with. When allergens enter the body, they irritate the respiratory tract, resulting in a coughing attack. However, the cause of this symptom may not be an allergy, but other diseases: ARVI, influenza, bronchitis, etc. After watching the video, you will learn how to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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The number of children suffering from allergies increases every year. And it is very difficult to avoid it, since the main causes of its appearance (hereditary factors, surrounding ecology) are almost impossible to influence. Allergies are characterized by many symptoms that significantly worsen the baby’s quality of life, and sometimes even lead to disability. One of its most important signs is the allergic cough reflex.

How to recognize an allergic cough

The first symptoms of an increased allergic reaction of a child’s body may appear before the child is one year old. The predisposition and accompanying cough are determined in the child by heredity, as well as diathesis suffered in infancy. An allergic cough reflex is observed in children mainly 1.5-7 years old. Among adults, only 2% have allergy symptoms.

An allergic cough in a child can also occur as a result of eating an allergenic food product. Additionally, there is a burning sensation, a sore throat, swelling of the oral mucosa, and rashes throughout the body.

It is most difficult to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold when the child is an infant. The main symptoms of an allergenic cough reflex in children include:

• seasonal increase in attacks;
• strengthening them in contact with animals or down products;
• The cough is dry and subsides after taking antiallergic medications.

For frequently recurring coughing attacks in children (especially if it is a newborn), you need to consult a doctor who will tell you how to recognize an allergic cough reflex and also help prevent negative consequences from occurring.

Signs of an allergic cough in a child

Allergic cough in a child is characterized by a certain set of symptoms and requires complex treatment. The main manifestations of cough due to allergies in a baby:

• dry, wavy;
• no signs of a cold: high temperature, headache, chills;
• before the onset of each attack, suffocation is noticeable;
• itching of the throat and nose, redness of the latter;
• sneezing and rhinitis are periodically added;
• worsens at night, as well as in the morning;
• duration up to several weeks;
• sputum is absent or clear, in small quantities;
• begins suddenly;
• taking expectorants and cough medicines does not bring relief;
• disappears after taking antihistamines.

Causes of allergic cough

Many substances are allergens. They can enter the body and provoke the development of pathology in different ways. There are several main factors in the occurrence of the allergic cough reflex:

1. Heredity (40-80%).

2. Allergens:

• food (fruits, sweets, milk, nuts, spices);
• household (dust, feathers, animal fluff and hair, cosmetics);
• pollen (color of alder, linden, poplar, maple, meadow grasses).

3. Environmental factors (the influence of passive smoking, polluted air, taking certain medications).

Allergic coughs in children can occur at any time of the year. However, if its cause is plant pollen, then attacks occur in the spring, autumn, and also early summer. If you are intolerant to house dust, allergy symptoms may bother you more often during the cold season, since this is when the rooms are not ventilated very often.

Based on the test results, the doctor decides how to treat the child’s allergic cough (which antihistamines to prescribe). And if you pay maximum attention to therapy and approach the implementation of the doctor’s recommendations responsibly, then you can overcome the disease without allowing the occurrence of obstructive bronchitis. But within 2–3 years it can be complicated by bronchial asthma, requiring lifelong use of special medications.

Diagnosis of the pathological condition

Allergic cough in children is treated only after all examinations have been completed.

Determining the allergen is also necessary, since only an accurate diagnosis will make it possible to select an effective course of therapy.

First, the doctor examines the baby to ensure that he has no symptoms of other respiratory diseases that can cause a cough. If they are not there, then tests are prescribed to identify the allergen. Basic tests:

1. Allergy test - several small cuts are made on the skin of the shoulder with a scarifier, then solutions with allergens are instilled there. If noted inflammatory process, then the cause of the cough has been discovered (there may be several of them). Using multitests, leading and minor allergens are identified. However, this diagnostic method is prohibited for children under 3 years of age.
2. Determining the amount of immunoglobulins in the blood - an increase in IgE titers indicates an allergic reaction.

When examining children also in mandatory Additional tests are prescribed: a nasal swab, sputum and blood, and, if necessary, a stool test for dysbacteriosis and worm eggs.

Drug therapy for allergic manifestations

Only the doctor decides how to treat an allergic cough. It is highly desirable to eliminate the cause of respiratory tract irritation from the baby’s environment. However, it is not always possible to exclude the provoking factor. Therefore, treatment is aimed at mitigating the reaction that occurs after encountering an allergen, as well as preventing consequences for the child.

Modern therapy involves the use of third-generation antihistamines (Zyrtec, Cetrin, Telfast). They differ from their predecessors of the first (Tavegil, Diazolin, Suprastin, Ketotifen) and second (Fenistil, Claritin, Semprex) generations in the absence of side effects: drowsiness and negative effects on the heart.

These drugs can stay in the child’s body for a long time, protecting him from allergies. They can be prescribed to children from one year of age.

Absorbents are also used. Most often, the doctor recommends activated white or black carbon, Enterosgel or Polysorb. Absorbents effectively block the absorption of allergens from the gastrointestinal tract and remove toxic substances. However, they neutralize the effect of other medications, including antihistamines. Under influence activated carbon The immune system is strengthened and normal blood composition is restored. In order to strengthen the immune system, immunomodulators and vitamins can also be prescribed.

A good method of treatment is inhalation procedures using a nebulizer. They are used at the first signs of cough, which helps alleviate the symptoms of the pathological process.

Inhalation with saline solution or mineral water(Borjomi) perfectly moisturize and cleanse the mucous membranes, relieve the feeling of soreness and dryness in the throat.

The duration of the procedure in children is 1-3 minutes, recommended 1-2 times a day. If inhalations are done regularly, the manifestation of a pathological cough will be less painful.

Minimizing provoking factors around the child increases the effectiveness of treatment:

1. It is advisable to remove carpets from rooms and store books in closed cabinets.
2. You need to do wet cleaning of the room several times a week.
3. It is recommended to use curtains from a material that is suitable for frequent washing and quick-drying.
4. It is better to choose wallpaper with a smooth texture, without relief in which dust accumulates.
5. It is safer to replace soft toys with rubber and plastic ones.
6. It may be necessary to get rid of indoor plants and pets.
7. It is imperative to regularly ventilate the premises, especially the child’s bedroom.
8. Rinsing and rinsing the mouth and nose with a saline solution helps get rid of some allergens. Recommended several times a day.

Compliance special diet It is indicated for all allergy sufferers, even if the cause is not food. After all, cross-reactions may occur, provoking another attack of pathological cough. Avoid whole cow's milk, red vegetables and fruits, seafood, nuts, strawberries, citrus fruits, chicken eggs, chocolate.

In situations where the concentration of allergens becomes very high, blood purification is performed using glucose or saline droppers. Allergen-specific immunotherapy may be effective. This is a treatment method in which an irritant is injected into the body, causing an allergic reaction. The dosage is slowly increased. As a result, the immune system stops responding to the allergen. This treatment option is a fairly long process (3-5 years), but as a result, the problem disappears forever.

Traditional methods of treating allergic cough reflex

After consultation, the attending physician may allow you to supplement drug therapy with alternative medicine. A certain combination of plants in tinctures and decoctions can soften the cough reflex and reduce its pain. An infant may experience an increased allergic reaction, so treatment with traditional methods in this case it is not carried out. Well-known folk recipes for allergic cough:

1. Raspberries. 50 g roots and 0.5 l. Boil water for about 40 minutes. The finished chilled decoction is taken 25 ml 2 times a day.
2. Fresh celery juice. Use 1 tsp. per day to cleanse the body of allergens.
3. Honey, leaves bay tree And baking soda. 8-10 leaves are boiled for 5 minutes in 1 liter of water, adding 1 tbsp. honey and soda on the tip of a knife. Take 1/4 cup a day as soon as a coughing attack begins.
4. Onion milk. Chop 1 medium-sized onion and boil in 200 ml of milk over low heat for several minutes. Drink in 2 doses.
5. Black radish. Washed thoroughly black radish grind, add honey in a ratio of 2:1. Leave to release the juice for 8-10 hours. Then drain the resulting liquid and drink 20 ml 3 times a day. in a day.
6. Ginger root. Grate a small piece and boil in 200 ml of water for 5 minutes. When a cough begins, take 50 ml.
7. Calendula. To prepare the decoction, 10 g of dried flowers are poured into a glass of boiling water. Drink 30 ml several times a day.
8. Anise. 10 g of seeds are poured into 200 ml of hot water and left for about an hour. Dosage: 30 ml every day before meals.

Among external remedies in alternative medicine, a mixture of goat fat with butter. Children rub it on their chest and back to relieve cough. You can cure nasal congestion due to allergies using potato inhalations.

The child is recommended to breathe in vapors without covering himself with a towel. This procedure can be carried out for about 15 minutes every other day.

Allergies will bother you much less often if you drink fresh birch sap in courses for several weeks every spring. Regular tea can be replaced with a decoction of strawberry leaves. Juices from carrots, apples, cauliflower, cucumbers, beets and fresh greens are useful, which can be taken every day half an hour before meals.

With timely diagnosis of allergies and proper treatment, followed by mandatory adherence to the principles of proper nutrition, and the exclusion of allergens from the child’s environment, it is possible to avoid complications and live a full life.

Allergy is special condition the body due to exposure to certain substances called allergens. These most often include pollen, animal hair, household dust, food products, fluff, medicine. Allergic cough is one of the main symptoms of allergies, occurring when an allergen enters the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. At the same time, they biologically penetrate into the blood active substances, causing swelling and inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi.

For allergy treatment to be effective, you need to know what the human body reacts to. Usually people turn to a specialist with characteristic allergy symptoms, but have no idea what caused their development.

Etiology

Theories of allergies:

Causal factors of allergic cough:

Among adults, the risk group includes workers in the paint and varnish industry, dusty and gas-filled industries, long-term smokers, as well as people with a history of other forms of allergies - urticaria, dermatitis.

Most often, an allergic cough develops in children suffering from diathesis, helminthic infestations, immune dysfunctions, and also receiving hormonal therapy in infancy. It is usually detected in children 5-7 years old.

Symptoms

Allergic cough is characterized by a sudden onset and prolonged course. It is often accompanied by:

• - impaired nasal breathing, sore nose, copious mucous discharge, sneezing, decreased sense of smell;
• Conjunctivitis - tearfulness, pain, burning in the eyes, photophobia;
• Skin manifestations - rashes, swelling, itching of the skin, atopic dermatitis;
• and - pain and sore throat, hoarseness of voice;
• Dyspepsia - signs of enterocolitis.

With an allergic cough, there are usually no symptoms of intoxication: patients rarely have a fever, chills and weakness.

The human larynx is a highly sensitive organ that reacts even to a small amount of irritant that gets on the mucous membrane. During the villous process, the ciliated epithelium pushes out foreign agents.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of allergic cough is carried out by an allergist and is a complex of laboratory and instrumental research methods. These include:

1. Blood test study,
2. Sputum examination,
3. Determination of eosinophils in a nasal smear,
4. Computer bronchophonography,
5. Allergy tests,
6. Linked immunosorbent assay,
7. Chemiluminescence.

Skin allergy tests are the basis for diagnosing allergic cough. Currently, a large number of allergen preparations are produced - from plant pollen, animal hair, house dust, fungi, bacteria, and food.

Allergy tests are carried out directly on the patient or outside the patient’s body. In the first case, an immediate type allergy is detected - after 20 minutes or a delayed type - after two days.

Scratches are made on the skin of the inner surface of the forearm, onto which a solution of allergens is applied. You can introduce it into the body intradermally using a syringe. A reaction to a particular allergen is considered positive if hyperemia and swelling appear on the skin after 20 minutes.

This study is contraindicated in persons with a history of anaphylactic shock, with mental and nervous disorders, pregnant and lactating women, who have received massive hormone therapy.

Treatment

Allergic cough is an unfavorable and serious symptom that requires comprehensive treatment and allergy prevention to avoid the development of severe complications.

Treatment of allergic cough is complex. It includes etiotropic therapy - desensitization, immunotherapy, symptomatic therapy and is aimed at eliminating contact with the allergen, selecting the right medicine in the right dosage, strengthening the immune system and other vital systems of the body.

• Antihistamines- the basis of allergic cough therapy. There are first-generation antihistamines - Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Pipolfen, which have a sedative effect and cause drowsiness, dryness of the respiratory mucosa, increased cough and the appearance of thick sputum. New generation antihistamines with prolonged action - Fenistil, Zirtec, Cetrin, Zodak.
• Used to treat severe allergic cough in adults. glucocorticosteroids, quickly eliminating all symptoms of pathology.
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy consists of a long, gradual introduction to the patient of increasing doses of the causative allergen. Such treatment is carried out for 3-5 years, as a result of which the patient’s immune system stops responding to this irritant, and allergies do not develop.
• Symptomatic treatment is aimed at eliminating bronchospasm and coughing attacks. For this purpose, patients are prescribed antispasmodics- “Berotek”, “Salbutamol”, “Berodual”.

• Enterosorbents remove allergens from the body. These include: “Polysorb”, “Polifepam”, “Enterosgel”.
• Plasmapheresis- an effective procedure for cleansing the blood of allergens and toxins, which is often prescribed independently or as part of complex antiallergic therapy. Part of the blood plasma is removed from the patient's body and replaced with a special solution. After cleansing the blood, relief comes and allergy attacks pass. Plasmapheresis has a number of contraindications and has only a temporary effect.

Traditional medicine is often used to treat allergic cough. The most effective of them are: bay leaf decoction, black radish juice, coltsfoot infusion. Inhalations with soda, essential oils, decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs will help alleviate the patient’s condition.

Prevention

Preventive measures for allergic cough:

1. Strengthening immunity,
2. Eating fruits and vegetables
3. Periodic intake of multivitamins,
4. Rinse the nose and if itching occurs,
5. Purification and humidification of indoor air,
6. Replacing wool blankets and feather pillows with synthetic bedding,
7. Daily wet cleaning,
8. Getting rid of pets, woolen carpets and rugs, curtains, indoor flowers,
9. Replacing soft toys with rubber or plastic ones,
10. Using hypoallergenic cosmetics.

Video: how to distinguish an allergic cough from an infectious one, “Doctor Komarovsky”

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, in attacks, and blocks breathing, can be the result of an allergy. It is important to remember that allergic cough is a very common symptom of an allergic disease.

A child's cough is not always a consequence 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, what medications will help alleviate the symptoms (see also:). It would also be useful to learn about folk remedies for treating allergic cough.

General characteristics of allergic cough

One of the most striking manifestations of allergies is coughing, but it is still 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 accompanied by fever, red 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. Soreness, as an indicator of an allergy, 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 greatly complicates breathing in children. Such signs appear only if an irritating allergen is present in the immediate environment. The task of first aid includes eliminating the pathogen itself, provided that you have found out the root cause of the toddler’s allergy.

For complete treatment, you must first identify the cause of the allergy.

Symptoms

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

• sudden appearance of paroxysmal barking cough;
• persistent cough for 2-3 weeks, dry, combined runny nose with nasal discharge;
• no increase in body temperature;
• the main time for the appearance of an allergic cough is at night, and during the day the manifestations are not so pronounced;
• nighttime dry cough with possible sputum transparent color 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 as soon as the baby takes the antihistamine “Tavegil”, “Suprastin” or “Diazolin”.

Causes

The cause of an allergy can be absolutely any object or substance:

• food, this pathogen is especially typical for children of the first three years;
• household allergens (animal hair, dust, feathers or fluff in pillows, blankets, etc.);
• pollen of flowers, plants;
• phosphate washing powders, aerosol chemical composition;

Household chemicals can cause allergies in children

• frequently occurring 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;
• helminthiasis.

One thing can be said with certainty: the sooner you determine the serious nature of your child’s cough, 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 based on it asthmatic bronchitis, which ultimately leads to the development of bronchial asthma.

Diagnostics

A painful cough in infants under one year of age requires careful and detailed diagnosis. The reasons for this phenomenon may lie in a variety of problems: gastrointestinal diseases, infections and other diseases.

To make a diagnosis, you need to undergo a number of tests:

• biochemical and general blood test, x-ray of the sternum; if you have a wet cough and sputum, you should also submit it for analysis;
• elucidation of hereditary factors to determine the degree of risk;
• analysis of external respiration function, performing skin tests with histamine.

A blood test may be necessary to determine the allergen and cause of the cough.

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

Treatment

Having determined the allergic nature of an infant’s cough, the doctor in most cases prescribes medications to alleviate the general condition and relieve symptoms. Having realized that the unpleasant phenomenon is caused by food, you should be even more careful when choosing foods for your baby 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 allergic reactions appear, treatment should be started immediately. Even during pregnancy, expectant mothers should give up foods that are likely to cause allergies; as a result, the baby born will be less susceptible to them.

Antiallergic tablets, inhalations and others can stop paroxysmal coughs. modern methods. You should not select medications on your own. Entrust this choice to a professional – a doctor.

Inhalation can help relieve an attack, but it must be prescribed by a doctor

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

Antihistamines

To relieve unpleasant symptoms that worsen in spring and autumn, you can take the following antiallergic medications: Cetrin, Zodak, Zyrtec, Suprastin. All of these drugs have a quick effect. The positive effect will be noticeable within 20 minutes after their use.

Having identified that the root cause of allergy symptoms is pathogens such as dust, fur 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 on fresh air It is recommended to rinse your nose and mouth thoroughly with running water. Use the following sprays as antihistamines: Cromohexal, Allergodil and Levocabastine.

Remember - not all drugs are suitable for use in infants, so be sure to consult your doctor first. To relieve the condition of 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. Basic therapy should be combined with the use of traditional medicine methods.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to solve the problem with pills alone - comprehensive measures must be taken

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

Before purchasing the medicine Suprastin, read the instructions for use, finding out The right way use, recommended dose. Don't forget 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 included in their composition reduce the ability to absorb minerals and vitamins. Do not combine their use with other drugs. For use, choose the following medications: Polysorb, Enterosgel, Filtrum STI.

Plasmapheresis

The use of plasmapheresis is a mechanical purification of the blood from allergic substances, existing toxins and other harmful components. During therapeutic plasmapheresis, blood is removed from the body and then purified back into the body. The effect of such cleansing will be quite good, but will be only temporary. This procedure has a number of contraindications. For clarity, you can watch a video showing what this method looks like.

Inhalations

The following medications are used in the form of inhalations: Berodual, Pulmicort. Inhalation procedures using a nebulizer provide very good support for coughs of an allergic nature, bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. For allergic cough, inhalation is also appropriate to do:

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

The saline solution will make the mucous membranes more moist and cleansed. By giving your child just one inhalation using a nebulizer, you will see that the cough has decreased. Regular procedures will ease the general condition of allergies.

Berodual

If you have a dry cough, as well as a cough with viscous sputum, it is recommended to inhale Berodual. To do this, the drug is added to a saline solution with a volume of about 3 ml. Inhalation procedures through a nebulizer should be carried out 4 times a day. Under no circumstances should children be treated by diluting Berodual with distilled water.

The drug Berodual shows good result when diluted with saline solution

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. Berodual is allowed to be used by children over 6 years of age (more details in the article:). Before starting inhalations, be sure to consult your doctor.

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

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

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

Pulmicort is a hormonal drug and should therefore only be prescribed by a doctor.

Folk remedies

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

Folk remedies can have a preventive effect, but the first priority, of course, will be medicinal methods of treatment, which should be carried out as prescribed by a doctor. Any folk way help may have contraindications, so carefully weigh the pros and cons so as not to aggravate the situation.

Diet for allergic cough

As soon as a child’s allergic cough worsens, the children’s diet is strictly limited to 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.

During the treatment of cough, the child must follow a certain diet

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

When dieting, you can eat green vegetables: cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, white cabbage, eggplant. You are allowed to eat porridge, cottage cheese, bananas, prunes, green apples, boiled potatoes, and black bread.

By eliminating unpleasant consequences, it is permitted to begin the gradual introduction of excluded products. “Dangerous” vegetables and fruits are introduced gradually. For example, pumpkin or red apple are given in a volume of 30 g in the form of puree. At good perception the dose is increased slightly.

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

Prevention

• Keep an eye on your baby's skin. At the first suspicion of diathesis, you should immediately contact your pediatrician.
• Do wet cleaning in the house every day. Ventilate the room well.
• Do not allow animals into the baby's area. It is advisable 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.
• It is better to replace down pillows and blankets with synthetic ones.

Parents should not make personal assumptions about the causes of cough. All diagnostic procedures must be performed by a doctor. All treatment methods begin only after they are prescribed by a specialist. Based on the test results and other information received, the doctor will draw a conclusion about the causes of the allergy and help relieve the baby from unpleasant symptoms in as soon as possible. The child will recover faster if adults do not self-medicate.

Komarovsky's opinion

Information taken from Dr. Komarovsky’s book “The Beginning of Your Child’s Life”:

• Do not under any circumstances use antitussive tablets (Libexin, Broncholitin, Glaucine, Tusuprex) without a doctor’s prescription!
• Excessive love for a child causes a cough. Mucus from drying out and various irritating substances unpleasantly tickle the mucous surface of the bronchi. This often happens from an abundance of soft toys and carpets (dust), from allergies to pets, chocolate or citrus fruits, as well as to excessively dry and warm air. In this case, you must first remove the original sources of the allergic cough, and only then begin treatment.
• In the case when the baby woke up at night from a feeling of suffocation, has a hoarse voice and a barking cough, then most likely such consequences are of a viral nature. In case of croup, and this is exactly what it is, you need to let the child breathe moist cool air before the ambulance arrives, bringing him/her to a window or balcony. At the same time, dress the baby warmly and give him something warm to drink.