A dry cough accompanies many diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. He can disturb during the day and at night, from which the child becomes capricious, weak, refuses to eat. To help cope with a cough, today enough pharmaceutical preparations have been developed, thanks to which it is possible to achieve recovery in a short time. One of the most effective methods of struggle is inhalation for dry cough in a child.
When are they appointed and what are their features? Inhalation is widely used in otolaryngology, pulmonology, especially in childhood. Among the indications for the procedure, it is worth highlighting:
- sinusitis;
- tonsillitis;
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, trachea, caused by viral, bacterial infection;
- obstructive bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- bronchitis, pneumonia (after the end of the acute period);
- cystic fibrosis.
In addition, inhalation procedures are indicated with a prophylactic goal to prevent exacerbations in chronic bronchitis, the development of stagnation in the postoperative period, with prolonged immobilization due to trauma.
In most cases, children are inhaled with a nebulizer, but conventional steam treatments are also widely used. The nebulizer can be used at home to help parents start treatment at an early stage of the disease. If there is no such device at home, it is available in clinics and hospitals in almost all medical institutions.
Why is the nebulizer so popular
Nebulizer inhalation has a number of advantages, the most important of which are:
- Possibility of accurate dosage of the drug.
- Temperature control, thanks to which the development of burns of the upper respiratory tract is prevented.
- Convenience for children, even up to 1 year old.
- The splitting of the drug into small particles, which makes it possible to penetrate more deeply into the respiratory tract, providing a therapeutic effect directly in the area of inflammation.
- The possibility of using those drugs that, when heated, lose their therapeutic effect.
Saline is indicated for dilution of the medicinal product. The medicine is poured into a special cup, which must be kept upright during the procedure. For one session, 3-4 ml of the finished product is enough.
It should be borne in mind that 1 ml of saline is consumed by the apparatus itself for operation.
With the help of a nebulizer, the drug is broken into particles of different diameters, providing penetration to a certain level of the respiratory tract.
For example, elements with a diameter of more than 5 microns are deposited on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, larynx, trachea, without penetrating into deeper sections. Particles 2-4 microns have the ability to reach the bronchi, bronchioles, only particles, the diameter of which does not exceed 2 microns, are able to penetrate into the alveoli.
As a result, it is possible to independently regulate the depth of drug delivery, which was previously controlled only by the depth of breathing. Today there are ultrasonic, compressor types of devices.
- The ultrasound view converts the drug by vibrating the piezoelectric element. Its advantage is the absence of noise, compact size, which makes it convenient for transportation. The disadvantages include the presence of restrictions in operation, since during crushing, the drug is heated, which is unacceptable for some drugs. An ultrasonic device is often used to moisturize mucous membranes.
- Compressor type - more common for use in hospitals, at home. With its help, it is possible to use various drugs (antibacterial, mucolytic, antitussive, enzyme agents, phytopreparations, immunomodulators). The drug grinding process is carried out by supplying a pressurized air stream.
For young children, it is recommended to use a mask that fits closely to the face. At an older age, a pipe-mouthpiece is allowed, which must be wrapped around the lips. After using the nebulizer, the components of the device should be washed with boiled water.
Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is a fairly simple, affordable home procedure. A teapot with a spout and a saucepan are enough for holding them. In this case, large particles of the drug added to boiling water, as well as water vapor, have a therapeutic effect.
The particle diameter reaches 20 microns, which does not allow them to penetrate deeper than the trachea, therefore, such inhalations do not belong to effective therapeutic methods for bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia (to eliminate residual inflammation).
In addition, many preparations are not used for steam procedures, which lose their therapeutic properties when heated.
Inhalation of hot steam increases the risk of burning the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.
After inhalation, a short-term effect is observed, since the warm steam enhances local blood circulation, dilates the blood vessels, thereby reducing pain, moisturizing the mucous membranes.
Decoctions for steam inhalation
If parents do not trust pharmaceuticals, they use traditional medicine recipes. Such medicines can be prepared independently at home:
- Infusion of eucalyptus leaves is used twice a day. To prepare the medicine, 30 g of dry raw materials are enough, pour 4 glasses of water, boil, insist. When the steam has cooled down a little, you need to start the procedure.
- A decoction of chamomile is prepared by brewing 30 grams of the plant in a liter of water. The medicine can reduce swelling, irritation, inflammation in the mucous membrane.
- A decoction of mint (30 grams per liter of boiling water) can be combined with chopped chives. This combination has a pronounced antibacterial effect, which is shown for pharyngitis, tonsillitis.
- Essential oils are recommended for moisturizing. It is enough to add a couple of drops of ginger, eucalyptus oil, cypress to boiling water.
Contraindications to inhalation
We emphasize that for any cough in children, steam inhalation is prohibited in such cases:
- Subfebrile hyperthermia, when the body temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees.
- Sputum with purulent discharge.
- Purulent processes in the oropharynx, for example, follicular, lacunar tonsillitis, abscesses.
- Increased tendency to nosebleeds.
- Pulmonary bleeding, including hemoptysis.
- Allergic reactions to the drugs used.
- Violation of the cardiac rhythm.
- Severe pathology of cardiovascular failure, severe respiratory failure.
- Emphysema, pneumothorax.
Oil solutions are contraindicated for use in a nebulizer, which increases the risk of penetration of the smallest fat particles deep into the bronchioles, clogging them, disrupting the drainage function.
Inhalation rules
To obtain the maximum therapeutic effect from the procedure for children, parents should adhere to the following recommendations:
- For the nebulizer, only saline is used to dilute drugs. If you want to make an alkaline inhalation, non-carbonated alkaline water is used without the addition of medicinal substances.
- The child should be in a sitting position. When using a nebulizer, small children are allowed to lie down.
- Do not talk during the procedure.
- The medicinal product is prepared immediately before use, it is not stored for a long time.
- If the cough is due to the spread of inflammation from the nasopharynx, breathing should be carried out through the nose and mouth.
- If the cough develops as a result of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, breathing is done slowly through the mouth.
- When the defeat of the bronchi, alveoli, inhalation should be through the oral cavity, slow, deep with a delay of 2 seconds, exhalation - through the nose.
- The duration of the procedure is maximum 10 minutes.
- Inhalation is carried out one hour after physical activity, food, so as not to induce vomiting.
- After the procedure, it is not recommended to go out into the cold for an hour, drink, eat, gargle with antiseptic solutions. This will ensure the maximum therapeutic effect of the drug used.
If a dry cough is due to the inability to cough up phlegm, and moist rales are heard in the lungs, then the sequence of using drugs for inhalation is as follows.
First, a procedure is performed with bronchodilators, thanks to which the bronchi expand, making it possible to facilitate the process of excreting sputum. Then mucolytics are used, the action of which is aimed at reducing the viscosity of sputum, improving its coughing. At the end, inhalation is carried out with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic drugs, which makes it possible to introduce an antimicrobial substance into the bronchi cleared of sputum, providing a powerful therapeutic effect.
Nebulizer preparations
In the fight against cough, such groups of drugs are used as antiseptics, bronchodilators, hormones, immunomodulators, mucolytics, antitussives, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as alkaline mineral water.
At the same time, drugs are isolated that are strictly prohibited for use in a nebulizer. This applies to drugs that are unable to provide a therapeutic effect due to their pharmacodynamic characteristics. These include diphenhydramine, papaverine.
Oil solutions, herbal teas can heavily contaminate the device. If the device is not kept clean, the nebulizer can become an infectious source.
With a dry cough, the main task is to determine the tactics of action: either to suppress a hacking cough, for example, as in the case of its allergic origin, or to stimulate sputum discharge if moist rales are heard over the lungs.
For one inhalation, 3-4 ml of the prepared solution is recommended. The frequency of procedures is 3-6 per day, depending on the severity of the child's condition, the characteristics of the course of the disease. For anti-inflammatory purposes, it is used:
- Rotokan containing calendula, yarrow, chamomile. 1 ml of the medicine is diluted with 40 ml of saline.
- Propolis (1 ml) is diluted with 20 ml of saline. It is not used if you are allergic to bee products.
- 10 drops of eucalyptus tincture are diluted with 180 ml of saline. Contraindications are presented by bronchial asthma.
- 1 ml of calendula tincture is diluted with 40 ml of saline.
Children with dry cough are shown:
- Tussamag with thyme extract. For a child from 6 years old, a dilution of the medicine is required twice, from one year old - a threefold dilution with saline.
- A cough medicine from herbal ingredients is thoroughly dissolved in 15 ml of saline.
- Borjomi is used after degassing.
- Mukaltin in a dose of 1 tablet should be completely dissolved in 85 ml of saline.
- Pertussin with thyme, thyme is diluted twice with saline.
- Berotek is used from 6 years old. It is enough to dilute 10 drops in 4 ml of solvent.
- Berodual is diluted with 0.5 ml of saline.
If the child has a cough of allergic origin, inhalations are carried out with dexamethasone, pulmikort to reduce swelling of the mucous membrane, irritation of the bronchi.
In the presence of sputum, but a dry cough, it is required to reduce the viscosity of the sputum, to improve its excretion. For this, lazolvan (ambroxol), ACC, furacilin, dioxidin, dekasan, chlorophyllipt, miramistin are used.
- Lazolvan is used undiluted, since a ready-made solution is sold.
- ACC is sold in powder form. From 6 years old - 0.5 ampoules are enough, which corresponds to 150 mg.
These drugs should not be used in parallel with antitussives (bronchodilator, libeksin, codeine, sinecode).
At home, treatment of children is carried out only after a preliminary examination by a doctor and a full examination. This allows you to reduce the risk of developing severe complications associated with an allergic reaction, overdose, insufficient duration of medication. If the doctor diagnosed a moderately severe or severe course of the disease, you should not refuse hospitalization.
