Redness (hyperemia) of the throat in children indicates the presence of inflammation in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx. As a rule, such processes occur against the background of the penetration of viruses and infections into the child's body. The inflammation is accompanied by fever and other signs of intoxication (poisoning by the products of the vital activity of bacteria).
If you want to know how to treat a child's throat, it is necessary to establish the root cause of hyperemia. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all remedy, as a red throat is just a symptom, not a disease. To quickly and gently relieve a sore throat, we advise you to see a doctor. Only he is able to accurately diagnose and select effective drugs.
Causes of redness
Inflammation can be a normal response of the body to teething. But usually the following dangerous ailments provoke it:
Angina (tonsillitis). A sore throat in a child is one of the possible signs of it. Angina is an infectious disease, which is accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, damage to the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils.- Scarlet fever is a childhood disease. Its characteristic feature can be called a crimson shade of the throat with clearly distinguishable inflamed follicles - dots on the surface of the mucous membrane. In addition, the disease is accompanied by a rapid rise in temperature, redness of the cheeks and a rash.
- Most often, it is necessary to treat a sore throat in children due to ARVI. Usually, small patients with reduced immunity are ill with this ailment in the autumn-winter period. Unlike scarlet fever, in acute respiratory infections, the throat does not take on a raspberry tinge. And the tonsils can retain their original shape.
- Pharyngitis is another common cause of red throat. The child suffers not only from hyperemia, but also from edema. An uncharacteristic hoarseness is clearly audible in the voice (this happens if the inflammatory process affects the vocal cords). As a rule, viruses provoke pharyngitis. Often, bacterial agents are added to them, which only aggravates the clinical picture.
Angina (tonsillitis). A sore throat in a child is one of the possible signs of it. Angina is an infectious disease, which is accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, damage to the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils.When is antibiotics needed?
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for respiratory diseases that are caused by pathogenic bacteria. Such drugs must be used very carefully and only after consultation with the attending physician. Self-medication or the wrong choice of antibiotics is fraught with many problems.
Angina and other ailments of bacterial origin can quickly transform into a chronic form due to a decrease in the sensitivity of microorganisms to the active substance of the drug.
As a rule, treatment is carried out by means of penicillins ("Amoxiclav", "Solutab", "Augmentin" and others), macrolides ("Azithromycin") and fluoroquinolones ("Levofloxacin"). If a child has a sore throat, it is not recommended to give an antibiotic right away. At first, you can do with other, milder drugs to alleviate the general condition. When the disease is caused by viruses or fungi, antibacterial drugs will not only be superfluous, but also significantly undermine the already weakened immunity of the baby.
Only the doctor selects the dosage of the drug and constantly adjusts the rehabilitation course, depending on the effectiveness of therapy.
The disease of bacterial origin should recede after 2 days of taking antibiotics. If the intensity of symptoms does not decrease, the prescribed drugs should be changed.
Aerosols and sprays
There are medicines that help to quickly cure the throat at the initial stage of the disease. They are sold without a prescription and can be used without a doctor's prescription. We are talking about aerosols that have a combined effect - analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Most of them can be used if the baby is 3-4 years old (ideally, the patient should be at least 5 years old).
We advise treating a child's throat with the following medications:
- "Tantum Verde" - such a throat remedy for children is presented in two dosage forms - lozenges and sprays. As a rule, it is prescribed for the treatment of the viral form of pharyngitis. The drug has a minimal number of side effects. It can be used by children from the age of three.
Ingalipt contains oil of eucalyptus, peppermint leaves and some other active substances. It is necessary to treat a red throat in a child with such a spray no more than 5 days. At the same time, do not forget that the baby may be allergic to some components. In this case, use other aerosols.- Cameton is a well-established medicine for sore throat. It is prescribed for children from 5 years old. Irrigation of the oral cavity is carried out no more than 4 times a day, and the course of treatment lasts 6 days.
- Levomenthol, hexetidine and vegetable essential oils - these components are contained in an aerosol called Stopangin. Throat treatment with this drug should occur no more than 3 times a day. The tool is used if the child is already 8 years old.
- "Geksoral" will allow you to quickly relieve a sore throat and reduce the intensity of symptoms in the early stages of the development of the disease. It is used twice a day for one dose. As contraindications, age restrictions should be highlighted (children under three years old cannot irrigate the throat with such a means), as well as identified allergic reactions.
- To quickly get rid of throat and oral mucosa hyperemia, pay attention to TeraFlu Lar. The course of treatment with such a drug should not exceed 5 days. It is worth using the spray no more than 6 times a day. The aerosol contains ammonia and lidocaine compounds, to which babies may be allergic.
Ingalipt contains oil of eucalyptus, peppermint leaves and some other active substances. It is necessary to treat a red throat in a child with such a spray no more than 5 days. At the same time, do not forget that the baby may be allergic to some components. In this case, use other aerosols.Lozenges for lozenges
The parents of the little patient are faced with a natural question: how to treat a red throat in a child? We advise you to use lollipops. Lozenges and lozenges are also a type of medicine that can be bought at any pharmacy without a prescription. Unlike sprays, they have a longer effect on the mucous membrane. The active substances of the drugs are evenly distributed throughout the throat. However, do not forget that lollipops can only be used from the age of three, and lozenges - from the age of five.
"Septolete" - lozenges, which include eucalyptus oil, mint extract and some other useful components. The lozenges dissolve every 3 hours and reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process.- One tablet of "Faringosept" will quickly relieve a sore throat in young children from three years old. The rehabilitation course lasts 4 days, no more than 3 tablets should be consumed per day. Among the contraindications should be called the increased sensitivity of the body to the active substances of the drug.
- "Grammidin" is a drug that has an anesthetic (pain relieving) effect. Children under 12 should take one tablet four times a day. In this case, the course of treatment should not exceed 6 days.
"Septolete" - lozenges, which include eucalyptus oil, mint extract and some other useful components. The lozenges dissolve every 3 hours and reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process.Remedies from the arsenal of traditional medicine
Folk throat recipes for children will be effective only at the initial stage of the development of the disease. Do not forget that this is only an adjunctive therapy and cannot completely replace drug treatment. "Grandma's" means will help to quickly eliminate discomfort and sore throat, but they cannot influence the cause of the disease (especially the pathogenic microflora).In addition, before using them, we advise you to consult a doctor so as not to worsen the clinical picture.
The range of folk remedies for throat for children is quite wide, however, most recipes are based on the following products:
- soda;
- lemon;
- honey;
- medicinal herbs.
Pay attention to gargling with regular baking soda solution. This procedure helps to relieve swelling of the mucous membrane and reduce discomfort when swallowing. Iodine can be a useful addition (no more than 3 drops per 200 g of warm water).
Rinsing well disinfects the mucous membrane of the entire oral cavity and has an anti-inflammatory effect. If the child is very young, such procedures should be abandoned.
We also advise you to prepare chamomile decoction for children. It is great for gargling your throat, and if you wish, you can just drink it (but you shouldn't be zealous, because this is not tea, but medicine). A baby can be given such a remedy for a sore throat one teaspoon several times a day. If a rash and other signs of allergy appear on the body of a small patient, the use of chamomile will have to be stopped.
Do not forget about lemon - a storehouse of vitamin C. It not only strengthens the general immunity, but also reduces the intensity of inflammation. Older children can eat the fruit in its pure form. For babies, they should be given warm tea with added citrus. When young children use undiluted lemon juice, there is a high likelihood of severe irritation of the mucous membrane.
In summer and winter, use a solar product - honey for treatment. It is a versatile remedy that:
- softens the throat;
- relieves inflammation;
- eliminates pain;
- enhances immunity (general and local);
- reduces puffiness.
Babies should take honey carefully, as it is considered a strong allergen.
Useful Tips
Now you know how to treat a child's red throat. If you want to help your little one to cope with the illness faster, pay attention to the following helpful tips.
It is necessary to create an optimal microclimate in the children's room. What does it mean? Make sure the air temperature is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. If it drops below, the child will freeze, which will further spur the inflammatory process. When the temperature rises above the specified values, it will cause dryness of the mucous membrane of the mouth and nasal cavity.
Do not forget to regularly carry out wet cleaning and treat the floor with antiseptic preparations safe for the body. Introduce foods rich in vitamins and minerals into the baby's diet, you can use pharmacy multivitamin complexes. This advice is especially relevant for children with reduced immunity.
Have you noticed that your children are getting sick more often? Then proceed to hardening. Contrast showers and cold wipes work well for this. Regular visits (no more than once a week) to baths or saunas will have a positive effect on the protective functions of the child's body and help get rid of even chronic diseases (tonsillitis, rhinitis, and so on).
Monitor your child's health, pay attention to the slightest changes in his behavior and well-being. Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult your pediatrician.
