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Properly selected cough syrup in children reduces unpleasant symptoms of colds or flu in our children. Coughing is a natural immune reflex, and at the same time a very tiring and exhausting symptom for a child. Which cough syrup for children is suitable for wet and dry cough?
Cough syrup in children – what type of cough?
Parents, when asked by their pediatrician about the type of cough occurring in their child, usually answer that it is a wet or a dry cough. This is the standard breakdown of cough that is easiest to isolate. However, specialists indicate the presence of acute and chronic cough. Acute cough lasts up to 4 weeks, while chronic cough tires the child much longer. The division into wet and dry cough is due to the presence or absence of expectorant secretions. When a cough is wet, there is discharge, also known as phlegm. Dry cough, on the other hand, is a non-productive cough, it occurs most often during laryngitis in a child. It is also worth noting that in the case of infection, dry cough most often turns into a wet cough. After the infection has healed, the wet cough returns to the dry cough phase until the symptom is completely resolved. When choosing the right cough syrup in children, you should take into account the presence of discharge, as well as the duration of this bothersome symptom. Before using any cough syrup on children, consult your doctor.
Wet cough syrup in children
Wet cough is a type of cough that should not be stopped. It is the body’s defense mechanism and helps to get rid of secretions such as phlegm from the respiratory system. Therefore, wet cough syrup is used to liquefy mucus and make it easier for the baby to cough up. The composition of wet cough syrup in children should include ingredients such as: ambroxol, bromhensine, N-acetylcysteine, carbocysteine. Children’s wet cough syrup should never be administered at bedtime. This is because there is a risk of choking on the liquefied secretion in the respiratory tract. In addition to using the syrup, watering the baby abundantly also helps with a wet cough. Water helps to liquefy the secretion in the digestive system, which allows for its faster removal from the respiratory tract. Inhalation with saline or hypertonic saline is also recommended. Saline moisturizes the respiratory system and liquefies secretions, while hypertonic salt acts as an expectorant.
Dry cough syrup in children
In the case of dry cough, which is very persistent, tiring and often causes gag reflex, syrups should be used, which inhibit the cough reflex. However, remember not to overdo it with the frequency of using antitussive syrups, especially if they contain opioids. The ingredients that are most often found in dry cough syrups in children are: dextromethorphan, levodropropizine and butamirate. These substances are addictive and when used in excess, they can cause drug-like symptoms. The natural ingredient of dry cough syrups in children is honey, which contains soothing substances and inhibits the cough reflex. Unfortunately, preparations that contain honey should not be given to infants. In addition to dry cough syrup, children are recommended to use inhalation, preferably with saline.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.