Cough is one of the most common symptom of allergy in children of different ages. Its reason is rather simple: it is the ingestion of an allergen into mucous membranes, the release of specific immunoglobulins from the immune system cells (histamine, bradykinin). These mediators act on the walls of the blood vessels and cause an increase in its permeability, which is manifested by mucosal edema, runny nose and urticaria, and also affect the smooth muscles of the bronchial tree, contributing to its narrowing. Here is a combination of the edema of the mucosa of the respiratory tract along with its spasm and provoke an attack of an allergic cough in the child . Next, we will consider what causes an allergic cough in the child and his specific treatment.
How to relieve an allergic cough in a child?
The most important means of dealing with an allergic cough is to eliminate the allergen. You can try to define it yourself and exclude it, and sometimes you have to turn to professionals for help. So, the most common allergens are house dust (dust mites that can live in feather pillows), pet hair, ragweed bloom. If any of the above occurs, you should get rid of it. Ask friends to look after their pet, often do wet cleaning in their house, change feather pillows to sintepon, and fight weeds near the house.
Medical treatment of allergic cough in children
Of the drugs, antihistamines are widely used, which are prescribed up to 6 years in special drops (Fenistil, Claritin), and after 6 years in tablets (Cetrin, Tavegil). Preparations of this group have a high effectiveness of allergic cough for children, but can cause drowsiness and inhibition.
If a child has an allergic cough, the competent doctor will certainly appoint the enterosorbents to the small patient (Enterosgel, Polysorb ). In severe forms of an allergic cough (similar to an asthmatic), a doctor may recommend carrying out inhalations in order to relieve an attack. To do this, you can purchase a special inhaler in the pharmacy, in which to add bronchodilators or hormones.
As we see, an allergic cough in a child gives a lot of trouble to the whole family, and most importantly requires an integrated approach to treatment. If you do not change the way of life of the child and do not eliminate the allergen, then any medications will be powerless.