Why does my baby suddenly have a dry cough?

It is a very common phenomenon for babies to cough, but there are many reasons for babies to cough. Parents should take good care of their children when their babies cough. Usually the symptoms of babies' coughs will gradually improve, but dry coughs can actually be prevented in normal times. If the baby's cough is severe and affects sleep and rest, it is best to take the baby to the hospital for relevant examinations and treatments in time.

What's wrong with my baby's sudden dry cough?

1. Dry cough caused by common cold

reason

It is prevalent in all seasons and is more common when there are large temperature changes. People usually experience catching a cold, such as kicking off the quilt when sleeping at night, wearing too few clothes, catching a cold while taking a bath, etc.

Doctor's opinion

Generally, no special treatment is required. Just feed your baby more warm water, ginger juice or onion water. Try to use less cold medicine. When your baby is irritable and has a fever, you can give him a little Xiaoerxin orally. Avoid using adult antipyretics, and do not feed him cough syrups, cough tablets, or other cough medicines. Do not abuse antibiotics.

2. Dry cough caused by cold air

reason

Cold air is a purely physical factor that irritates the respiratory mucosa and causes an irritating dry cough. It is common in babies who do little outdoor activities. When the baby suddenly goes out and inhales cold air, the delicate respiratory mucosa will experience congestion, edema, exudation and other inflammatory reactions, thus inducing a dry cough reflex. There is no microbial infection initially, but if it persists for a long time, viral and bacterial infections may occur.

Doctor's opinion

Let your baby get exercise in temperature changes from an early age. Take your baby outdoors frequently, even in cold seasons. Only a well-trained respiratory tract can withstand the stimulation of cold air.

3. Dry cough caused by influenza

reason

It is caused by viral infection and often occurs during the influenza epidemic season in winter and spring, often in clusters.

Doctor's opinion

If you suspect you have influenza, you should seek medical attention immediately, get a clear diagnosis, and receive treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Dry cough caused by pharyngitis

reason

Dry cough is mostly caused by irritation of inflammatory secretions and is often caused by cold.

Doctor's opinion

Seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment after a clear diagnosis.

5. Dry cough due to tracheitis

reason

It is more common in older babies and is mainly caused by respiratory tract infections.

Doctor's opinion

Cold medicine can be used when the symptoms of a cold are obvious at the beginning. Antipyretics and expectorants can be used when there is a fever, but cough suppressants should not be used. Excessive or purulent sputum indicates a secondary bacterial infection, and appropriate antibiotics should be used for treatment based on the doctor's advice. If not effectively controlled, it may develop into pneumonia.

How to prevent dry cough in babies

1. Keep the indoor air fresh

Polluted air can cause adverse stimulation to the respiratory mucosa, causing congestion, edema, increased secretions and aggravating cough. Therefore, in order to keep the indoor air fresh, kitchen fumes must be discharged, and parents should not smoke at home to satisfy their addiction to smoking. They should open windows regularly for ventilation. Fresh air in the room can also play a role in disinfection. It should be turned on once in the morning and afternoon, each time for about 20 minutes.

2. Maintain proper humidity indoors

In an overly dry environment, the air humidity decreases, the mucous membrane becomes dry and brittle, small blood vessels may rupture and bleed, and ciliary movement is restricted, which can easily lead to dry coughs. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain appropriate humidity when doing indoor activities. In fact, this is not difficult. When the climate is dry, you can often mop the floor with a wet mop or sprinkle some water on the ground. Or place a humidifier at home, but be sure to clean it regularly!

3. Adjust the room temperature and add or remove clothes for your baby in time

25℃-28℃ is the most comfortable indoor temperature. However, it is difficult to maintain this temperature under normal conditions, but the room temperature can be prevented from being too high or too low. Many parents believe that children are definitely more afraid of cold than adults. They often cover their children too thickly and too tightly regardless of the season or whether they are indoors or outdoors, preventing their children from getting any cold. As a result, the body has poor regulatory ability and low resistance.

4. Pay attention to adjusting your diet

If your baby has a dry cough, he or she should not eat spicy foods, such as chili peppers, pepper, ginger, etc. These foods can irritate the respiratory tract and make the cough worse, so be careful to avoid them. Fresh vegetables such as greens, carrots, tomatoes, etc. can provide a variety of vitamins and inorganic salts, which are beneficial to the recovery of the body's metabolic function, and babies can eat more of them.