Allergic cough in a child: symptoms and treatment. Allergic cough: symptoms in children and adults, treatment What kind of allergic cough does a child have?

Allergy is a special condition of the body caused by exposure to certain substances called allergens. These most often include pollen, animal hair, household dust, food products, fluff, and medicines. 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, biologically active substances penetrate into the blood, 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”

Allergic cough– a specific form of bronchial asthma, a common reaction of the human immune system to external factors. Its symptoms are very similar to the cough of bronchitis, laryngitis, and can be combined with lacrimation, pain in the eyes, itching in the nose, sore throat and runny nose.

For the first time, an allergic cough can appear at any age; it must be treated, especially if we are talking about a child.

The essence of the disease

An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to a specific protein substance - an allergen. This protein can be found on an animal’s fur or in its saliva, in pollen, or be part of a medicinal product.

Some allergens are not proteins, but are capable of binding to them in the human body and modifying them, which entails a reaction of the immune system aimed at combating the newly formed substance.

Since the number of people suffering from allergies is growing every year, scientists have conducted a number of studies to identify the underlying causes of this phenomenon. Here's what they found out:

Allergies appear due to the general attachment to ideal cleanliness: not seeing a real danger in a clean, “ideal” house, the body begins to fight with various harmless substances. The theory is based on a study of large families with a dog in the house. In children who live in such families, allergic reactions are observed less frequently than in houses with ideal cleanliness and the presence of one child.

Studies have shown that children who had to take antibiotics in the first year of life are more susceptible to allergies at an early age.

Some scientists argue that the increase in the number of allergy sufferers in the world is due to the fact that food products contain a large number of artificial additives to improve smell, color, calorie content, etc.

Any cough, including allergic cough -

this is a natural reaction of the body to a substance penetrating into it,

which affects the respiratory tract, causing irritation.

Microscopic processes of cells, called cilia, move the substance with their vibrations “towards the exit”, which causes the cough impulses to start.

Causes of allergic cough

An allergic cough occurs in response to the penetration of a predisposed substance into the body, to which individual elements of the immune system respond with hyperactivation. In most cases, coughing is accompanied by the ingestion of allergens along with inhaled air (aeroallergens).

Factors that provoke the appearance of an allergic cough:

pollen: weeds and medicinal herbs, trees, field, garden, and ornamental flowers.

Mold allergens rising into the air.

Household allergens: aerosols of cosmetics and household chemicals (blush, eye shadow, powder, volatile substances, shadows), tobacco smoke, house mites, house and book dust.

Particles of the epidermis: feathers and down of birds, animal hair.

In addition to the traditional route of penetration of the allergen into the human body (through the respiratory system), the substance that provokes an allergic cough can enter:

with food (tropical fruits and berries, nuts, seafood, chocolate are of particular danger in this regard);

with an arthropod or insect bite;

together with medication administered intravenously, intramuscularly or orally.

Symptoms of an allergic cough

The first symptoms of an allergic cough usually appear suddenly. This is usually preceded by contact with an allergen substance: purchasing new household chemicals and decorative cosmetics, working in the cellar, in the garden, or in a dusty room.

Main characteristics:

Allergic cough is paroxysmal in nature, most often attacks occur at night.

In most cases, it is dry; at the end of the attack, glassy sputum may be released. With bronchitis or tracheitis there will be no purulent sputum.

Accompanied by a tickling sensation or sore throat.

Not combined with chills or fever.

A runny nose with copious discharge of clear mucous snot is characteristic of both colds and allergies.

In severe cases, an allergic cough causes difficulty breathing.

The allergic etiology of cough is indicated by itching of the skin and the appearance of urticaria on it.

With allergies and colds, the patient feels weak, but loss of appetite is not a characteristic symptom of allergies.

An allergic cough is not accompanied by pain when breathing in the chest area, significant difficulty with sputum, and expectoration of white, green, rusty, yellow sputum streaked with blood.

By eliminating contact with the allergen, the cough disappears;

With allergies, night sweats are not observed.

Symptoms of allergic cough in children

An allergic cough in a child can develop as a response to any drug, household, air, or food allergen. The cause of this condition in a baby can be infection of the body with worms, in particular ascariasis.

A child's airways are shorter and narrower than those of an adult, but they are better supplied with blood. Therefore, the development of an allergic reaction threatens rapid swelling and an increase in the volume of the mucous membrane. This, in turn, causes a decrease in the diameter of the airways and makes it more difficult for air to enter the lungs. This condition is very dangerous for the child’s life and requires emergency care.

Symptoms of an allergic cough in a baby:

An attack of dry cough, during which a clear mucous discharge may flow from the nose, and tears from the eyes. Most often it torments the child before bedtime.

Clear sputum is released.

The cough is associated with itching in the throat and nose.

A cough is caused by contact with a specific allergen.

After taking Suprastin, Fenistil, Erius, the condition of the child’s body improves.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of “allergic cough” is established on the basis of:

Results of examination of the throat: with ARVI, its color will be bright red, plaque may form on the tonsils, and thick snot can be seen on the back wall of the throat.

General blood test: the inflammatory process is practically absent, but the level of eosinophil cells exceeds 5%.

Venous blood contains elevated levels of immunoglobulin E.

Allergy tests are done only for children over 3 years of age after they have fully recovered (at the peak of allergies they are dangerous). They represent a procedure when several wounds are made on a person’s forearm with a disposable scarifier, and then allergens are introduced into such wounds and the manifestation of an allergic reaction is observed.

Allergic cough: treatment

The main thing on which the treatment of allergic cough in children and adults is based is identifying the allergen and preventing further contact with it. If this is not feasible, the following measures are taken:

The diet is switched to a diet that excludes the consumption of orange fruits and vegetables (melon, persimmon, citrus fruits), seafood, chocolate and nuts. The diet also cannot consist of fried, pickled, smoked and spicy foods.

The animal is removed from the premises, after which wet cleaning is performed.

The animal can only be fed outside the room where the patient is.

It is necessary to remove carpets from the room and replace pillows with down or feather filling with hypoallergenic ones (filled with centipone).

Do not use medicinal and decorative cosmetics.

Wash clothes using only laundry or baby soap, without conditioners, powders, etc.

Long-acting antihistamines (Zodak, Erius) or short-acting (Diazolin, Suprastin)

In between meals and taking medications, you should take sorbent: “White Coal”, “Atoxil”.

Inhale and rinse your nose with saline sodium chloride solution.

In cases with difficulty breathing, inhalations with Pulmicort, Eufillin, and Berodual are prescribed.

For respiratory failure, Dexamethasone or Prednisolone are prescribed in the form of injections or tablets.

After the serious condition has been relieved, the person is examined for allergy tests, after which he is prescribed specific therapy, which consists of administering the allergen first intravenously and then subcutaneously.

Allergic cough: prevention

If a person discovers a specific type of allergen, contact with which causes a cough, its source must be eliminated. If it was not possible to detect the type of allergen that provokes the cough, to avoid further attacks of allergic cough it is necessary:

do not wear woolen items;

follow a special hypoallergenic diet;

carry out daily wet cleaning of the house;

remove carpets from the floor and walls;

use curtains made of thin material that are easy to wash and do not collect dust;

For people with allergies, it is advisable to buy decorative cosmetics and household chemicals marked “hypoallergenic”; use conventional products only as a last resort.

advice from Dr. Komarovsky

The mysterious disease of the century - allergies can manifest themselves in different ways. One of the most common symptoms of a common allergic disease is cough. It should be understood that allergic cough itself is not a disease, but the body’s reaction to the action of harmless antigens. If the immune system fails, then ordinary pollen from flowering plants or animal hair is perceived by the body as pathogenic. How to distinguish an allergic cough in a child from a cold? There are symptoms by which one can determine its nature.

Signs of illness

Allergens can create serious problems in a child's respiratory system. Moreover, cough can appear at any age. It is associated with inflammatory processes in the trachea, bronchi, and mucous membrane of the throat. Without treatment, the cough becomes more severe and leads to chronic diseases or dangerous acute conditions such as shortness of breath and asthma attacks.

Causes

A predisposition to allergies can be transmitted genetically or arise due to poor living conditions. Prolonged stay in damp, fungal-infected rooms, poor diet and unfavorable environmental conditions contribute to the appearance of allergic reactions in the form of cough.

From this article you can find out how to treat a wet cough in a child.

Allergens enter the body most often through the respiratory system. There their first meeting with the cells of the immune system takes place. They must recognize newly arrived substances and transmit information about them to lymphocytes. If a failure occurs in the circuit, the immune system identifies harmless dust as a dangerous element.

Lymphocytes begin to produce immunoglobulin, a protective protein. It is involved in the fight against the allergen. Specific cells begin to produce and release histamine into the blood, which spreads throughout all organs, causing swelling, itching, coughing and suffocation.

The causes of allergic cough depend on the type of allergy. Today there is a popular version that children develop allergies due to their parents’ careful attitude to hygiene. Inna Danilycheva, a researcher at the Institute of Immunology, believes that excessive cleanliness does not contribute to the formation of immunity in a child. Moderate pollutants, on the contrary, train the immune system.

How to give inhalations to a child with a dry cough is indicated in the article.

Whatever the reasons, the cough must be treated. And this should be done by a specialist. Diagnosis of allergic diseases is carried out in laboratories through tests to identify the allergen, and treatment is prescribed by a doctor.

The video explains how to recognize (determine) an allergic cough in a child:

How to distinguish from colds and other types of cough

A cough caused by an allergy may not be productive. It is always dry, sometimes barking, and does not go away until the cause of its appearance is eliminated.

You can learn how to quickly cure a runny nose and cough from the article.

The main signs of allergic cough in children:

• It starts suddenly.
• Coughing attacks are prolonged.
• The condition does not change unless the allergen is eliminated.
• Attacks worsen in summer and winter, or during mass flowering of plants.
• At night, cough is most acute, sometimes only during contact with an allergen or immediately after contact with it.
• The cough is dry, if the sputum is separated, it is transparent, colorless, without pus.
• The cough is not accompanied by fever or other symptoms of a cold, however, rhinitis, itchy nose, and sneezing may occur.

The video shows the symptoms and treatment of allergic cough in a child, in contrast to other diseases:

Any object, product or substance in the modern world can be an allergen. Food allergies are most often caused by exotic fruits and vegetables, coffee, smoked foods, food with preservatives, mushrooms, honey, eggs.

Detergents with a pungent odor, for example, Domestos and other chlorine-containing substances, also cause an allergic cough. And also a walk near a highway with active traffic, a trip to a store with strong odors, ingestion of an unusual protein during vaccination, contact with animal fur.

You can learn from this article how cough manifests itself and what are the symptoms of thyroid disease.

However, not only allergies cause a dry cough. The cause may be helminthiasis. During migration, roundworm larvae enter the lung tissue, causing coughing. Therefore, the diagnosis of allergic cough involves excluding helminthiasis.

It is difficult to distinguish a whooping cough from an allergic cough in the early stages. It becomes spasmodic, with a characteristic wheezing breath, only in the third week. Such a cough can turn into an allergic one. Treating this disease on your own is dangerous.

What could be the cause of cough after eating is indicated in this article.

A simple test will help determine the presence of spasm in the bronchi, as one of the symptoms of allergies. To do this, you need to hold a sheet of paper by the edges in front of the child's face. It should blow hard on the paper. If the effort is enough for the sheet to take a horizontal position, then everything is fine with the bronchi; if not, you need to undergo an examination.

Treatment

If a child begins to have an allergic cough, it must be stopped as quickly as possible to prevent bronchial obstruction. Simple cough syrup won't help here. To stop coughing:

During treatment, herbal preparations should be avoided, as herbs can cause an allergic reaction. Glucocorticosteroids are given to children only in extreme cases. It is better to limit yourself to infusions of glucose and saline. A positive result is obtained by rinsing the nasopharynx with a weak saline solution.

How to treat a very dry cough can be found in this article.

The use of enterosorbents brings results. Children are given (maximum 2 weeks) activated carbon, Enterosgel, Polyphepan, Polysorb, milk thistle seeds. Sorbents are used separately from medications.

Plasmapheresis is also used - mechanical purification of blood from allergens and toxins. But the procedure has contraindications and is valid for a limited time.

The video explains how to relieve an allergic cough attack in a child:

Why a sore throat and cough is worth reading this article.

Treatment in an infant

In infants, even a cold cough can pass without sputum production due to insufficient functioning of the bronchi. A long, paroxysmal cough may be a manifestation of an allergy, an asthma attack, or a consequence of a foreign body entering the respiratory tract.

If you suspect an allergy, you need to:

In children under three years of age, cough is most often caused by food allergens. But it is possible that the reaction is associated with toys, feather pillows, plants and animals.

Taking antihistamines in the first year of life makes it difficult to clear sputum. They are used carefully. After all, if it turns out that the cough is not allergic, then the medicine may cause harm.

What to do when you have a sore throat and dry cough, you can learn from the article.

Treatment for preschool children

During treatment, contact with allergens should be minimized. In addition to antihistamine therapy, special exercises can be used. The simplest thing is to inflate balloons.

Finger massage relieves the condition. It is done by lightly tapping your fingers on the back of the child, who is lying on his stomach at the edge of the bed, with his chest hanging down. Manipulation helps remove mucus from the bronchi.

What to do when you have a prolonged dry cough is indicated in this article.

Treatment for schoolchildren

How will it cure schoolchildren? Schoolchildren suffer from allergic cough most often due to pollen. They are prescribed antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin, Pipolfen, Diazolin) and treated with Histaglobulin. Breathing exercises using the Buteyko method are effective. And only in severe cases are corticosteroids used.

If it is not possible to completely eliminate the effect of allergens, specific hyposensitization can be used at this age. It's called an allergy shot. The therapy is based on the gradual introduction of allergens into the body with a constant increase in dose, which leads to a decrease in sensitivity.

The reason why cough from erespal continues for a long time is indicated in the article.

Treatment for allergic bronchitis

Painful inflammation in the bronchi is treated with medication. The treatment regimen combines specific and nonspecific measures.

• Long-term specific hyposensitization by the allergen prevents bronchitis from transforming into asthma.
• If bronchitis is complicated by tracheitis, Histaglobulin therapy is used. Conduct from 2 courses of subcutaneous injections of the drug.
• To stimulate the body, Metacil, Sodium nucleinate, Pentoxyl are prescribed.
• Antihistamines are administered intramuscularly, in the form of aerosols or tablets.
• Electrophoresis is prescribed with solutions of sodium bromide and calcium chloride to normalize sleep.

In the video there is more information about allergic bronchitis in a child, and how to relieve a cough:

Doctor Komarovsky about the essence of the disease

The doctor reminds you that coughing is just a symptom. He claims there is no cure for cough. We need to look for the reason for its appearance. If the causative agent of cough receptors is found, it will be possible to correctly prescribe treatment.

Komarovsky believes that diagnostics should be carried out by a doctor. Without his recommendations, you cannot take cough suppressants, which include Libexin and Glaucine. Uncontrolled use of even the most harmless medications for an allergic cough can only cause harm. This also applies to mucolytics (they are especially dangerous for children under two years of age) and expectorants.

The video explains what to take for an allergic cough in a child:

Without risk to the child’s health, you can take measures such as:

• drinking plenty of water;
• regular air humidification (especially before bedtime);
• rinsing the nose and throat.

The doctor recommends stopping a coughing attack with an injection of Suprastin. Its effect will begin within 10 minutes, while the tablets will take effect only after 20 minutes. This is a long-acting drug, its effect lasts about 12 hours. And do not forget that all antihistamines do not cure, but relieve symptoms.

If you are not allergic to honey and bay leaves, you can prepare a mixture for this type of cough. To do this, boil dry laurel leaves for 5 minutes in a glass of water, cool, add a teaspoon of honey and soda. Take ¼ cup of decoction orally during attacks.

In the video - a remedy for allergic cough for children:

According to the doctor, the main method of combating allergic cough is prevention. To do this, it is enough to monitor the cleanliness of the house, food and avoid contact with animals. It is equally important to support the child’s immunity. A strong, healthy body will be able to cope with allergens much better than the most expensive drug.

But if an allergic cough appears, do not self-medicate. After all, a child’s body is just developing. Incorrect diagnosis and ill-prescribed treatment for cough can lead to asthma, bronchitis and other dangerous diseases.

It's always unpleasant when your baby is sick. But it happens that a cough does not go away for several months and appears unexpectedly. Then it is worth checking your child for allergies and treating an allergic cough before it develops into a more serious disease such as bronchial asthma. Traditional medicine methods will come to the rescue, but you should not forget about examinations and doctors’ recommendations.

How is an allergic cough treated in a child and how to recognize its first symptoms?

A cough can be a manifestation of various diseases, but it does not always indicate a disease, sometimes being a protective reaction of the body from external influences harmful to it. For example, if we are talking about allergies. Young parents often encounter this situation and begin to stuff their child with medications. But before treating a child’s allergic cough, it is urgent to make a diagnosis and understand what exactly caused it. Then eliminate the cause.

What is an allergy?

Allergy in medicine is the reaction of the body's defense system to certain irritants. We can say that it is beneficial, because if the immune system had not reacted to the negative impact, the body might not have been able to cope. And so measures are taken, the impact of the allergen is eliminated, and everything returns to normal.

“How to treat an allergic cough in a child?” is one of the most popular questions that young mothers ask in pediatricians’ offices. The modern generation of children does not have strong immunity, and allergies at a tender age, alas, are a common occurrence.

Who is at risk?

Someone never wonders how to treat an allergic cough in a child. Signs of allergies never make themselves felt. And some people suffer all their lives.

Whether a person is allergic or not, as a rule, becomes clear already in infancy. Children whose bodies react violently to certain foods or other substances with skin rashes are likely to continue to suffer from allergic reactions. Parents of such children need to be on guard all the time.

In addition, the cause of allergies in the future can be diseases suffered in infancy, when immunity is still practically zero. It is difficult for the body to fight the disease, and it fails.

Those children whose close relatives also suffer from allergies are also at risk. The hereditary factor in this case is of great importance.

Allergy prevention

One of the most alarming conditions for parents is a dry allergic cough in a child. Rather than treat it and stuff the child with drugs, of course, it is better to prevent the disease.

And you should start doing prevention while you are pregnant. From the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman should take a lot of walks away from polluted highways, stop eating foods that are known to be allergenic and, of course, stop all bad habits.

Both before and after the birth of a child, it is necessary to keep the house clean - do wet cleaning, ventilate the room more often. It is better to protect your newborn from contact with animals. At the slightest suspicion of diathesis, the baby should be seen immediately by a doctor.

Symptoms of an allergic cough

So, how is an allergic cough treated in a child whose symptoms are quite specific? Before giving any medications, you should determine for sure that your baby’s cough is due to an allergy. The main signs of an allergic cough are:

Types of allergic cough

Experts identify several types of allergic cough. Among them are:

• Dry - most often occurs during cold or hot weather.
• Barking character - accompanied by a hoarse voice. Sounds like the ringing bark of a dog. Breathing is difficult.
• Night cough lasts a long time (two to three hours). The eyes become watery and clear mucus flows from the nasal passages.

How to distinguish an allergic cough from symptoms of bronchitis or whooping cough?

As noted above, cough can be a manifestation of various diseases, including bronchitis or whooping cough. It is important for parents to correctly assess the baby’s condition in order to take the necessary measures in time. After all, in particular, whooping cough can pose a direct threat to life, and you should not hesitate to seek medical help.

Of course, it is best to consult a doctor immediately. Competent doctors thoroughly analyze the symptoms before treating a child’s allergic cough. And they make adequate decisions. And parents, being in an anxious state, are not always able to think soberly.

But still, how does cough due to allergies differ from other diseases?

Diagnosis of allergies

How and how to treat an allergic cough in a child, diagnosis will help to say for sure. After all, even if the fact of an allergy is not questioned, what exactly causes it is difficult to determine on your own.

First of all, the pediatrician examines the baby, listens to him, assesses the nature of the cough, measures the temperature and conducts a conversation with the parents, determining the type of disease. If an allergy is present, a special test is performed. Small incisions are made on the skin in the forearm area with a scarifier, which are filled with a certain reagent (allergen in small doses). If redness or blisters appear on the skin, itching begins, etc., it means that it is this allergen that causes a reaction in the form of a cough. The cause has been found and treatment can be prescribed. (This type of diagnosis is not carried out in relation to children under three years of age).

Often, when making a diagnosis, a blood test for immunoglobulin levels is also prescribed, which allows one to detect allergic reactions.

What can cause an attack?

Obviously, in search of an answer to the question of how to treat an allergic cough in a child, determining the cause plays a very important role. The list of provoking factors is huge, but the main ones are:

So, how do you treat an allergic cough in a child?

After making a diagnosis and identifying the allergen, the first thing to do is to isolate the child from the irritant or at least minimize contact.

If the incident does occur (the child grabbed the cat and coughed heavily), the attack is relieved with a special drug (Suprastin, Tavegil, Diazolin, Erius, etc.). But only after the allergen is removed to a safe distance, otherwise there will be no effect. The injections stop the attack within ten minutes. The tablets are somewhat slower - they begin to act after twenty to thirty minutes.

In cases where the allergen cannot be removed, antiallergic drugs will not help - hormonal drugs are needed. Allergies inevitably cause intoxication of the body, to eliminate which they take white coal, Smecta and similar drugs.

What else is used to treat an allergic cough in a child? For children over three years of age, the “hardening” method may be recommended, when an allergen is injected under the skin, increasing the dose each time, and eventually the body develops immunity. Cough is well eliminated through inhalations that dilate the bronchi.

When treating non-acute allergic cough, doctors often prescribe Gerbion syrup based on plantain. This and some other plants are true friends of allergy sufferers, which is well known in folk medicine.

Traditional ways to combat allergic cough

“Whose children have allergic cough, how do you treat it?” - an alarmed mother sometimes asks other parents. And experienced parents share proven folk recipes:

• drip aloe juice into your nose (it removes phlegm well);
• mix boiled and crushed bay leaves with a few teaspoons of honey and a pinch of soda - give the remedy during an attack;
• as a drink during attacks, use the water in which the onions were boiled (several onions per liter);
• gargle with water (maybe with added sea salt) after walking.

A favorite of moms and dads, Dr. Komarovsky, who has already become almost a legend, answering the question of how to relieve an attack and how to treat an allergic cough in a child, calls not to panic and approaches the situation with humor. So, for example, he considers the first remedy for an allergic cough... to have a dog. Which will “take” parents out for walks with their children. And fresh air for an allergy sufferer is the best medicine.

The doctor also advises humidifying the room (during attacks, you can open the hot water tap in the bathroom to create steam). And another surefire remedy is drinking plenty of fluids.

Komarovsky is categorically against total cleanliness, which, in his opinion, leads to allergic reactions in an unhardened organism. But, of course, it is necessary to keep order, because excess dust is harmful for a healthy person, and destructive for an allergy sufferer.

The doctor agrees with his colleagues that the first step should be to eliminate, if possible, the patient’s contact with the allergen (that is, completely eliminate the cause), and then treat the effect. Otherwise there will be no positive result.

And of course, physical activity, hardening, quality products, clothes made from natural fabrics and most importantly (as in any business) - a positive attitude!

Allergic cough in children: description, causes, symptoms, treatment

An allergic cough in a child is one of the symptoms of allergies. It appears for various reasons, due to the fact that allergens affect the upper respiratory tract. Cough appears due to an inflammatory process in the trachea, bronchial system, and throat. An allergic cough in a child may have a paroxysmal character, he begins to cough.

Description of allergic cough in a child

1. The cough can be sudden, paroxysmal, lasts about a month, the body temperature does not rise, and sometimes a runny nose may appear.

2. Dry cough most often appears at night, and is rare during the day.

3. The sputum is transparent, it does not contain pus, and the child often sneezes and has severe itching in the nose and throat.

Allergy cough is easy to distinguish from other types; it lasts for a month, the temperature does not rise, and a runny nose may occur. Most often, the cough begins to bother the child at night, but during the day it becomes much easier. The cough in some situations is dry, and in others it is wet, while the sputum does not have purulent discharge. With an allergic cough, itching may appear in the nose and throat, and the person begins to sneeze frequently.

Causes of allergic cough in children

Most often, a child is allergic to the color of a plant, dust, foreign protein, as well as to medications - vaccines, syrups, antibacterial agents.

Symptoms of an allergic cough

It is very difficult to find out in time what type of cough a child has - allergic or typical. With allergies, symptoms of rhinitis appear, the larynx swells, and a troubling convulsive state occurs. It is important to get rid of the cause that provoked the allergy in time - house dust, animal hair, pollen. To do this, you additionally need to pass all the necessary tests, a trial allergen test.

If the irritant begins to negatively affect the respiratory system, the bronchi and larynx become severely swollen, and the child may feel suffocated. When a child gets rid of irritants, he is tormented by frequent coughing, which is how the body removes the allergen.

Features of the course of allergic cough in children

Most often, the symptom appears in the child who suffered from diathesis as an infant. If a child is predisposed to an allergic reaction, he may develop a cough due to a small amount of allergens. When a child has an unbalanced diet, if he was not vaccinated on time, this causes an allergic reaction, which is manifested by a cough.

Symptoms can be aggravated in winter, summer, winter, if the child does not go outside and constantly stays in a dry room. It is important to consult an immunologist or allergist in time and undergo all necessary tests.

If attacks are constant, it is important to consult a doctor in time so that the disease does not develop into bronchial asthma. Most often, attacks can be triggered by a viral infection, genetic predisposition, environment, or allergen.

First of all, the doctor finds out the reason why the allergic cough appears; after the allergen is detected, it is important to avoid contact with it. A certain course of therapy is also prescribed.

Treatment of allergic cough

Before a course of therapy, diagnostic tests are required; computer bronchophonography may also be prescribed to find out about allergic processes in the bronchial system.

Children may often be prescribed antihistamines - treatment with suprastin, tavegil, diazolin. Most often, in addition to an allergic cough, strong thick discharge appears from the nose. In this situation, it is necessary to use vasoconstrictor drugs - instill the nose with galazolin, naphthyzine. The nose may become very red and cause severe itching.

Treatment of allergic cough in a child

It is necessary to use special allergy medications to protect the child from allergens. It is important to constantly support your child with medications that can help boost immunity. Please note that glucocortecosteroids should not be used; these drugs can have a negative effect on the child’s body.

You can relieve a coughing attack with the help of a dropper, for this they use a physical solution, glucose. With the help of medications, you can reduce the child’s exposure to the allergen, so he can recover faster.

Prevention of allergic cough

In no case should you use antibacterial agents for an allergic cough; they can cause the disease to worsen. You can use the following folk remedies for allergic cough:

1. Drink as much warm water as possible.

2. You can get rid of it using this recipe; you will need bay leaf, baking soda, and honey. It is important to take this decoction during a severe coughing attack. 50 ml per day will be enough.

3. The child should not eat foods that contain a large number of allergens.

4. Breathe fresh air as much as possible.

5. Monitor the condition of your child’s skin; when you notice a rash, you should immediately consult your doctor.

6. If a child suffers from an allergic cough, you need to constantly clean the house every day and ventilate the room.

7. It is worth giving up dogs, cats, and fish if you know that the child is allergic.

8. You can alleviate the symptoms of an allergic cough with the help of Suprastin, Diazolin, Tavegil.

Thus, if a child has a frequent allergic cough, you should immediately seek help from an allergist; with his help, you can find out the cause of its occurrence and the allergen. It is important to take action as early as possible; if this is not done, the child may have bronchial asthma. In addition to treating an allergic cough, it is important to properly care for it, pay attention to its diet, daily routine, and the conditions in which it lives. Keep him away from pollen, animals and other allergens.

Every conscious parent knows that the child’s health must be carefully monitored from birth. Due to a weak immune system, children often develop various diseases. After all, the immune system needs some time and special conditions to strengthen. Cough is very common among children. Many coughs in children are correlated with colds. But, in most cases, this symptom indicates the presence of an allergy. It is an allergic cough that manifests itself first in a child. And if treatment is not started in a timely manner, the allergy will begin to progress and become chronic.

Symptoms of allergic cough in a child

It is very difficult to distinguish an allergic cough in children from a sign of acute respiratory infections. But, nevertheless, there are some features and symptoms that will help to recognize the cause of the disease. The first feature is the onset of cough unaccompanied by elevated body temperature. In general, the baby feels fine.

After some time, the symptoms intensify. General lethargy of the body occurs, the child becomes irritable and restless. Sleep patterns are disrupted. Allergic cough in children is accompanied by a runny nose and bouts of sneezing. The symptoms and characteristics of cough caused by allergies are as follows:

• The cough is barking in nature;
• Occurs unexpectedly and in attacks;
• Mostly dry;
• Lasts more than two weeks;
• Attacks occur mainly at night.

Symptoms include severe itching in the nasal cavity and throat. The larynx is severely irritated. The trachea suffers greatly from coughing. Frequent spasms cause the child’s muscle corset to ache.

Causes of allergic cough in children

The first symptoms of an allergy, namely a cough, often occur against the background of hay fever. Simply put, it is an allergy to pollen from flowering plants. The disease manifests itself in the spring and summer, with the first flowering of trees. Symptoms may be aggravated by a rash on the body, itching and burning, conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. A child’s cough gets worse when walking outside near plants. It is important to recognize the problem promptly and begin treatment.

No less rarely, an allergic cough in a child occurs due to the impact of pet hair on the mucous membranes of the body. I would like to clarify that allergies do not arise from the cat’s fur itself. A certain protein is produced in the pet’s body, which is distributed through the animal’s saliva and urine. Thus, the pathogenic component settles on wool, clothing, dishes, carpets, and furniture. It is this that, when inhaled, causes irritation to the throat, which leads to an allergic cough. And even modern hairless cat breeds will not protect your child from illness. This type of allergy can be recognized by observing the baby’s body in the company of an animal and without it.

Children often develop a cough due to the presence of household dust. Due to frequent exposure to dusty rooms, allergies develop. At the same time, a cough can also appear from long-term accumulation of dust in household items (pillows, sofas, beds). In its composition, dust is nothing more than a collection of dead skin cells, hair, microscopic mites, fur, food debris, and dirt. When this is inhaled, allergic rhinitis occurs, followed by coughing. The toddler suffers first of all, since the little person’s body has not yet developed all its protective functions. It is important to monitor the baby’s room and bedding, and choose the right toys. Dust accumulates over the years in the following things:

• Home library;
• Thick curtains and curtains;
• Carpeting;
• Cushioned furniture;
• Small interior items;
• Stuffed Toys.

A child may suffer from an allergic cough due to intolerance to certain foods. It is in childhood that food allergies occur. Over time, at an older age, the problem goes away. Eating certain foods causes a cough in a child. If left untreated, angioedema may develop, which leads to an increase in the size of the larynx, throat, tongue, or palate. Because of this, oxygen does not enter the lungs and the baby risks suffocation. It is necessary to completely eliminate the allergen product and all its other variations (supplements, essential oils, creams, etc.) from use. Foods that put your baby at risk include:

• Citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries;
• Cow's milk, chicken eggs;
• Sweets and baked goods;
• Food additives, seasonings and spices;
• Fatty meats;
• Tomatoes, beets, carrots;
• All types of nuts.

Cough is provoked by various medications. These include most antibiotics and hormonal drugs. Herbal remedies also cause allergic cough attacks in babies. The cause may also be molds inhaled by the child.

Treatment methods for allergic cough

First of all, treatment of this type of cough is aimed at eliminating the body’s sensitivity to the allergen. For this purpose, antihistamines are used in medicine. All of them block the production of histamine. Three generations of antihistamines have been developed. The first includes those that have a number of contraindications and possible adverse reactions. Due to their rapid elimination from the body, these medications need to be taken much more often than others.

The third generation, on the contrary, has a minimal list of side effects. They stay in the body for a long time, so their effect lasts throughout the day. Among all antihistamines against allergic cough, the following are noted:

The most effective treatment for allergic cough is achieved through immunotherapy. Treatment involves the systematic administration of a small dose of a diluted allergen. Thus, the child’s body gradually gets used to the influence of the pathogenic component. The immune system begins to react correctly and produce antibodies to the allergen. The disadvantages of the method include the length of time (about 1.5 years). Also, injections are carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, and the child must be taken to the clinic several times a week.

To treat a child’s cough and reduce the frequency of attacks, it is necessary to use expectorants in the form of tablets and syrups. Almost all syrups are approved for use by infants. Alteika is such an effective remedy for children. Available in the form of syrup. Used after meals. Treatment with this remedy lasts for two weeks.

Thermopsol is considered a strong expectorant. The product is made on the basis of medicinal herbs. Tablets are prescribed for severe attacks of allergic cough and bronchial asthma. The course of treatment for children is no more than five days. You can use various herbal infusions that are sold in every pharmacy.

Prevention of allergic cough

To prevent allergic cough in a child, parents need to do hard work. First, you need to monitor what your baby is eating. It is very important to carry out daily wet cleaning in your living space. It would be better to get rid of items such as carpets, thick curtains, and soft toys. The ideal floor covering would be simply linoleum or laminate. You can lay loose tracks for the floor.

The largest dust collector is stuffed toys. Very often they do not undergo any processing. Young children often put everything in their mouth. Toys should be such that they can be washed under running water every day. Experts recommend using humidifiers if you have a child at home.

If the cause of an allergic cough in a child is hay fever, try to go outside less in the spring and summer. Walking should be done in the evening, or after rain. Do not walk with your child near flowering plants. After going outside, be sure to wash your child thoroughly. It is also worth clearing the nasal cavity and gargling. When you get home, change your baby into new, clean clothes for the house. By following all the rules, you will be able to protect your baby and not treat him with multiple medications.

Coughing is an unconditioned reflex that is necessary to clear the airways of foreign substances and objects that interfere with the patency of the tracheobronchial tree. Basically, this protective-adaptive reaction is needed by the body, which reacts in this way to the appearance of various pathologies.

Most often, this reflex signals the development of acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, or the presence of foreign elements in the breath that irritate the larynx, for example, toxic fumes and allergens. In the latter case, we are talking about an allergic form of cough, which also occurs in children, which causes reasonable concern among parents.

Determining the type

There are two types of cough:

1. Dry. It is he who is most often allergic. It appears mainly at night, in attacks. The peak of activity is the spring-summer period, especially during the flowering season of plants, as well as in winter, when heating is especially intense.
2. Wet. The so-called glassy sputum is released - transparent, free of pus, and odorless. A child with an allergy may also experience a wet cough.

Any of these forms greatly exhausts a young child’s body, so parents definitely need to help their baby. Other symptoms often appear: runny nose, lacrimation, itchy throat, swelling of the mucous membranes, but there are times when, apart from coughing, there are no other signs of allergy.

Let's understand the reasons

Since coughing is the body’s defense mechanism against a pathogenic organism, therefore, the main cause is the allergy itself.

What could be a negative reaction:

• pungent odors;
• household chemicals;
• plant pollen;
• animal hair;
• Food;
• dust, mite particles, microorganisms.

These are the most popular allergens in the 21st century. An allergic response does not always appear immediately after contact with irritants; the first symptoms may appear only when the allergen has accumulated in the body.

Some parents notice a severe allergic cough at night. The reason may be the pillow on which the baby sleeps. If it is downy, it accumulates a huge amount of allergens, which provokes an attempt to cleanse the lungs.

If mucus is released when coughing, phlegm becomes the reason for its intensification at night. In a lying position, it clogs the airways, which is why the body tries to clear them by coughing.

Distinguishing the symptoms

Parents may confuse the symptoms of an allergic cough in a child with a cold. For an accurate diagnosis, a mandatory visit to a doctor is required. You can independently suspect an allergy based on the following signs:

1. Choking before coughing. The allergen enters the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, causes irritation and swelling, so before the allergy sufferer begins to react, he may feel severe suffocation. It is difficult for him to swallow saliva, only then sharp, barking coughs begin.
2. Nasal discharge. Most often accompanied by an allergic wet cough. Children develop a runny nose. The discharge is transparent, without clouding of color, and worsens when hazardous substances are nearby.
3. Eye inflammation. The conjunctiva becomes very red and inflamed. The baby tries to rub and scratch his eyes, tears flow, and purulent discharge from the tear ducts is possible.
4. No fever. If the baby tries to cough for a long time, and the temperature is normal, this is a sure sign of an allergy.
5. Conventional medications do not work. The use of mucolytics does not improve the child's condition.

Other symptoms are not always added, so, first of all, you should pay attention to frequent coughing for no particular reason.

It is important for parents to know how to recognize a cough that is caused by allergens and to distinguish it from a cold in a child. This will help to immediately eliminate the irritant and give the medications prescribed by the doctor. The table shows the main differences between coughs during colds, bronchitis and allergies.

Allergies in the form of cough in children greatly exhaust them. Because the symptoms worsen during sleep, the baby does not get enough sleep.

This condition can be dangerous for the body. First of all, the load is on the heart and lungs, so attacks in an allergy sufferer need to be relieved as soon as possible.

We treat children correctly

It is important for parents to know not only how it manifests itself, but also how and how to treat allergic cough in childhood.

Urgent help

For emergency treatment, antihistamines should be given. The doctor tells you how to relieve the attacks and how to carry out further treatment.

You cannot prescribe antihistamines to children on your own. If there is no way to see a doctor or consult with him, at least by phone, it is important to carefully study the instructions for use of the medicine. A child should not be given a drug that is not suitable for his age.

The most popular drug for relieving allergic attacks is. When using injections, it acts in 10-15 minutes, and in tablet form – about twenty minutes. In addition to it, such drugs as Zodak, Tavegil, Fenistil, as well as various nasal sprays based on Levocabastine are popular.

If anaphylactic shock develops, you must immediately call an ambulance!

To treat the symptoms of an allergic cough, you need to know what caused it, since the most important factor in treatment is preventing the child from coming into contact with a dangerous substance.

How to help your child during therapy

After identifying the allergen, the doctor prescribes maintenance therapy, as well as medications to quickly relieve coughing attacks in emergency cases. Parents should know what to do if a child is diagnosed with an allergic cough, in addition to using prescribed medications:

1. Introduce the habit of ventilating the room where the child lives. Fresh air makes breathing easier and reduces dust concentrations.
2. Carry out wet cleaning daily. But you should avoid household chemicals with strong odors and chlorine content. Its vapors can provoke a relapse of the allergy, causing a new attack.
3. Get rid of all down pillows and blankets. They accumulate dust and particles of house mites. Contact with such bedding can trigger new attacks.
4. Free your home from possible allergens. This measure is necessary if the cause that provoked the symptoms of an allergic paroxysmal cough in an infant has not been established. Such items include things with strong odors, pets, and fruits.

Drug treatment

Consists of a complex of drugs:

1. Antihistamines. This group of medications relieves the consequences of an allergic reaction due to the fact that the active ingredients block histamine, a compound that provokes the body’s reaction to the allergen. For emergency use Suprastin, Fenkarol. However, it is not recommended to give medications to children for more than 3 days. For longer-term treatment, third-generation antihistamines, such as Erius, are suitable. But it is important to remember that it is allowed to use from 1 year of age, and it is important to monitor side effects; tablets can only be used from 12 years of age.
2. Enterosorbents. Needed to remove allergens from the body. By binding to the allergen, the active substance removes it from the body, thereby reducing the consequences of the reaction. To relieve allergy symptoms, it is better to choose synthetic, carbon or silicon-containing drugs; you should avoid herbal ones. Synthetic sorbents include carbon and silicon-containing sorbents - Karbolen, Smecta, . Taking enterosorbents should be coordinated with the time of taking other drugs: at least two hours should pass between taking the sorbent and other drugs.
3. Bronchodilators. The action is aimed at relieving bronchospasm. After relaxation of the bronchi, the condition improves and breathing becomes easier. The most commonly used are inhalations or tablets. The most popular drugs: Berodual for nebulizer therapy, Salbutamol - inhalation spray.
4. Mucolytics. Medicines that make it easier to expectorate mucus. Apply only if available. These medications include: Trypsin in the form of tablets, Bromhexine - tablets or syrup, Ambraxol in the form of syrup for children.

Extreme measures for treating allergies include the use of hormonal drugs. The slightest overdose or disruption of the procedure can harm the child!

Folk recipes

Treatment of cough symptoms due to allergies in children may include the use of traditional methods, but only after consultation with a doctor. Some popular recipes:

1. Celery root. Squeeze the juice, give the child 2-3 teaspoons three times a day, observe the reaction.
2. Inflating balloons. A fun, easy activity for kids that is a great exercise for the lungs.
3. Rinsing the nasopharynx with warm water is especially effective after walking outside.
4. Decoction. Boil a handful of leaves in one glass of water, add half a teaspoon of honey and baking soda to the cooled liquid. During an attack, drink a quarter glass of liquid. Use only if you are not allergic to the components.

We care about prevention

It is better to take care to minimize the likelihood of developing an allergy, its symptom in the form of cough. The following measures help:

1. Wet cleaning every day. Allows you to get rid of dust accumulations in the house.
2. A minimum of household chemicals in everyday life. Avoid chlorine products due to their pungent odor.
3. It is necessary to remove carpets, rugs, drapes, thick bedspreads, and soft toys from the house, because... They also actively accumulate dust.
4. If the substance that provokes the reaction is identified, you should follow an anti-allergy diet, because In addition to a specific allergen, attacks can be provoked by a number of substances similar to it. This is especially important if the cough occurs due to a food allergy.

It is important to know not only how to identify a cough that occurs due to allergies. It is equally important to understand that allergic bronchospasm is only a symptom. Without determining the cause, attacks will recur over and over again after contact with the allergen. Seeing a doctor is necessary to prescribe proper treatment. The health of children is in the hands of parents!