Parenting often comes with its fair share of worries, especially when it involves your child’s health. Knowing how to respond when your child is sick or injured can feel reassuring whether they fall at Sensory Park or come down with the flu. One common childhood symptom to watch out for is coughing.
What Is a Cough?
Coughing is a natural reflex that helps clear and soothe the airways. An occasional cough is usually your child’s way of clearing irritants. However, if the cough is accompanied by symptoms like fever or wheezing, lasts more than a week or produces colored mucus, it’s essential to consult their ear, nose and throat (ENT) provider for the next steps.
What Are the Different Types of Pediatric Coughing?
Childhood coughing is usually categorized as either acute, chronic or short-term. Acute coughing lasts less than three weeks. Common causes include colds, flu, sinus infections, acute bronchitis, whooping cough, pneumonia, asthma or allergies.
Chronic coughing lasts longer than four weeks. Potential causes include chronic bronchitis, asthma, allergies, persistent lung or heart conditions, acid reflux, postnasal drip and throat or vocal cord disorders.
Short-term coughing is likely the result of irritation in the throat. Common irritants include pollen, pet dander, dust, mold, smoke, strong smells and mucus. With short-term coughing, symptoms usually subside once the irritant is removed from your child’s environment.
Tips To Manage Your Child’s Cough
Coughing is the most common symptom in primary care settings. Hearing one or two coughs from time to time is likely not a cause for concern. However, if your child’s cough persists for over a week, an ENT specialist can determine the cause and suggest appropriate treatment, including but not limited to antibiotics, antivirals or environmental changes.
In addition to ENT care, you can support your child at home by easing their sore throat and promoting proper mucus drainage. A few ways you can do this include:
- Offer popsicles, lollipops or throat lozenges if they’re old enough
- Run a humidifier or warm bath
- Provide plenty of water or fruit juice
It’s natural to worry when your child is sick. However, knowing when a cough requires medical attention and using a few home remedies to increase their comfort, you can feel reassured that they are well cared for. Contact Advantage ENT & Audiology to discuss your child’s symptoms with one of our experts.