Methods for treating laryngitis in a child at home

Laryngitis is a common complication of colds, which is diagnosed in about 35% of children with acute respiratory infections. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the larynx and swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as a result of which symptoms of respiratory failure often appear in young patients.

How to treat laryngitis in children at home? An agonizing dry cough, wheezing and fever are the main manifestations of ENT disease.

Treatment of acute laryngitis is carried out with antihistamines, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.

It is possible to alleviate the course of the disease with the help of folk remedies, in particular herbal decoctions and infusions.

Pediatrician recommendations

According to many pediatricians, laryngitis is the most dangerous respiratory disease that can cause serious complications in children. With inflammation of the airways, the larynx and vocal cords swell greatly, as a result of which the patency of the respiratory tract is greatly reduced. If treatment is not started on time, laryngitis can be complicated by a false croup.

Severe narrowing of the airways is fraught with the development of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and complete respiratory arrest.

Only the attending physician can prescribe a course of drug treatment after examining the child. Depending on the severity of the disease, the patient's age and the presence of complications, an appropriate therapy regimen is drawn up. In addition, young patients should adhere to the following principles of the therapeutic regimen:

• speech peace - prevents overstrain of the vocal cords and the development of aphonia (loss of sonority of the voice);
• plentiful alkaline drink - removes toxic substances from the body, thereby eliminating the symptoms of intoxication (headache, lethargy, nausea, lack of appetite);
• humidifying the air in the room - prevents drying out of the mucous membrane, which provokes coughing attacks;
• bed rest - prevents the acceleration of blood circulation and, accordingly, excessive stress on the cardiovascular system.

For the child to recover faster, it is recommended to limit the intake of solid foods for a while. Particles of food can injure the inflamed mucous membrane of the throat and thereby provoke its purulent inflammation. During the treatment, the menu can include cereals, vegetable and fruit purees, soups, puddings, etc.

Drug therapy

How should laryngitis in children be treated? Medicines are the basis for the treatment of respiratory diseases. With their help, it is possible to destroy pathogenic agents and stop the unpleasant manifestations of the disease - a painful cough, sore throat, high fever, swelling of the larynx, etc.

As a rule, laryngitis in babies occurs due to the development of an infection in the upper respiratory tract. Due to the imperfection of the immune defense, the pathogenic flora rapidly progresses and affects the laryngeal mucosa. To cure the disease, young patients are prescribed the following types of medications:

In the event of asthma attacks, you need to give the child a potent decongestant (for example, "Euphyllin").

The main goal of drug therapy is to destroy infectious agents and dangerous manifestations of the disease. Young children are prone to allergic reactions, therefore, anti-edema and anti-allergic agents must be included in the therapy regimen. They prevent the development of laryngeal stenosis and respiratory failure.

Gargling

How is laryngitis treated in children? Gargling is one of the most effective and popular treatments for sore throat. Anti-inflammatory and disinfecting solutions quickly soften the mucous membrane, eliminate lesions and discomfort in the throat.

Gargling should not be used when treating children under 3 years of age, as they cannot hold their breath and therefore can choke on liquid.

Soda solution is the traditional and safest drug that is recommended for flushing a sore throat. It quickly relieves inflammation and swelling, thereby eliminating the most unpleasant manifestations of the disease - sore throat, shortness of breath and pain when swallowing saliva. From pharmaceutical preparations for the healing of mucous membranes, the following can be used:

• "Chlorhexidine" - eliminates purulent inflammation in the airways;
• "Iodinol" - reduces irritation of the mucous membrane and disinfects the laryngopharynx;
• "Chlorophyllipt" - inhibits the activity of microbes and eliminates inflammation in the oral cavity;
• "Miramistin" - moisturizes mucous membranes and relieves puffiness;
• Rotokan - accelerates metabolic processes in cells and promotes tissue regeneration.

Some antiseptics must be diluted with water or saline, which is sold in pharmacies, before use. This allows you to reduce the concentration of active substances in the drug and thereby reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions.

Nebulizer therapy

Aerosol inhalation is the most effective and gentle method of treating laryngitis in babies. Nebulizers convert medicinal solutions into an aerosol at room temperature, which eliminates the likelihood of burns on the mucous membrane of the throat and larynx. Home treatment is carried out with the help of expectorant, wound healing, decongestant and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In pediatric practice, for the treatment of acute laryngitis, the following are usually used:

• "Prednisolone" - relieves allergic manifestations and inflammation in the respiratory tract;
• "Atrovent" - inhibits the secretion of excess sputum in the ENT organs, and also prevents laryngospasm;
• "Pulmicort" - reduces obstruction (narrowing) of the airways and prevents the development of false croup;
• "Lazolvan" - stimulates the liquefaction and excretion of mucus from the bronchi, trachea and larynx;
• "Ambroxol" - reduces the viscosity of sputum and promotes its evacuation from the respiratory tract.

The child's body is more susceptible to allergic reactions, therefore, in babies under 3 years old, laryngitis is often complicated by stenosis of the larynx. Therefore, when the first symptoms of respiratory failure occur (shortness of breath, muscle weakness, dizziness), glucocorticosteroids are included in the treatment regimen.They help to accelerate the outflow of intercellular fluid from the foci of inflammation and thereby prevent the narrowing of the airways.

Folk remedies

In addition to medications, it is recommended to use alternative medicine to alleviate the child's condition. They do not contain synthetic components, therefore, they practically do not create a load on the liver and kidneys. Treatment of laryngitis in children with folk remedies consists in the use of herbal remedies that have a pronounced decongestant and wound healing effect.

You can stop a painful cough and a burning sensation in the throat of a child with the help of such means:

• infusion of sage: 4 tbsp. l. dried herbs are poured with 250 ml of boiling water and insisted for 30 minutes;
• an infusion diluted with water (ratio 1: 1) gargle at least 3 times a day;
• tincture of calendula: add 20 drops of tincture to 200 ml of boiled warm water; gargle with a solution 4 times a day for a week;
• compress with radish: 3 tbsp. the grated radish is spread on cheesecloth, after which they are bandaged to the throat and insulated with a woolen scarf; warm up the throat for 30 minutes at least 3 times a day;
• aloe juice with honey: mix melted honey with aloe juice in equal proportions; take ½ hour 3 times a day after meals;
• beet juice: 200 ml of freshly squeezed juice is mixed with water in a 2: 1 ratio; gargle with a prepared warm solution 4 times a day.

Whatever remedy you use to treat your child, you need to consult a doctor before using it.

Some products are highly allergenic, so they can cause unwanted side reactions in the child - hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.