How to treat laryngotracheitis in children: alternative methods

The first years of life, the child is faced with a huge number of diseases. The thing is that the baby’s immune system is not yet familiar with many viruses and does not have antibodies to them. Gradually, the immune experience becomes richer, and the child ceases to get sick so often. However, often the course of a common viral cold can result in a complication in the form of various inflammations. Due to age-related anatomical features, respiratory diseases in a child are most common. One of these diseases is laryngotracheitis.

Laryngotracheitis is an inflammation of the larynx and trachea. The disease develops quite rapidly, especially in young children. The acute phase of the disease can be very dangerous, due to the narrowing lumen of the larynx. This may cause suffocation. If you hear a dull, hoarse cough, the so-called “seal barking”, this is an occasion to immediately seek emergency medical help.

Symptoms of laryngotracheitis in children

Symptoms of laryngotracheitis are similar to signs of a common cold, however, characteristic features of the course of the disease are still present.

1. A runny nose can be of any nature, the discharge can be either transparent, or thick and green. Often, laryngotracheitis is accompanied by inflammation of the adenoids, breathing lays.
2. There is an increase in body temperature.
3. The disease is accompanied by sore throat, tickling, discomfort when swallowing. The throat upon examination is red, inflamed. The child may complain of discomfort in the throat.
4. A distinctive feature of laryngotracheitis is the hoarseness of the voice, sometimes its complete absence. The voice can also become rude, hoarse. This is especially noticeable when the baby cries or cries. If the voice is changed even in a calm state, you urgently need to seek medical help - the respiratory clearance is narrowed quite strongly.
5. Another feature of laryngotracheitis is cough. Usually it is dry, as if barking, superficial.
6. Due to the narrowing of the larynx, the child may have difficulty breathing, which is also a reason for hospitalization. Ask the baby to take a deep breath - a patient with laryngotracheitis can most likely not do this.
7. In addition, a general lethargy of the body appears - the child is weak, he has serious ailments.
8. A barking cough most often occurs at night, when mucus accumulates and flows along the back of the larynx, irritating it.

Treating laryngotracheitis at home is extremely dangerous, especially in children in the first three years of life. It's all about the structure of the respiratory organs of babies - their lumen of the larynx is so small that it quickly narrows during inflammation. If you suspect this disease, you need to see a doctor, confirm the diagnosis and get competent treatment.

Causes of laryngotracheitis

Laryngotracheitis most often occurs as a complication of a viral or bacterial infection. The disease can be a companion and a consequence of the flu, colds, pneumonia, bronchitis. Sometimes laryngotracheitis can be allergic in nature - laryngeal edema in this case is a reaction to an allergen. Sometimes inflammation of the larynx and trachea can be a consequence of gas contamination, prolonged stress on the vocal cords, mechanical injuries of the larynx, and a chemical burn of the mucous membrane.

But how to protect yourself from laryngotracheitis? Why do some people get a cold in 5 days, without much treatment and complications, and another child gets stuck on sick leave for several weeks? It all depends on the general condition of the patient.If the virus gets into a weakened, unable to fight the body, it will behave wildly, affecting more and more new organs. Laryngotracheitis can become chronic in the presence of diseases such as liver cirrhosis, gastritis, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, pyelonephritis, bronchial asthma. The course of the disease is aggravated if the child constantly breathes through the mouth due to allergic nasal congestion, with too dry air in the room.

Treatment of laryngotracheitis in children

The treatment of this disease depends on its etiology. Viral laryngotracheitis is not treated with antibiotics, but with a bacterial one, antibiotics cannot be dispensed with. In addition, you need to carefully monitor the baby so that in the event of an acute phase immediately deliver him to the hospital.

1. With viral laryngotracheitis, symptomatic treatment is indicated. First of all, one should not allow a rise in temperature. The fact is that at high temperatures a person begins to breathe often, since he lacks oxygen. We don’t need excessive irritation of the larynx, so we bring down the temperature above 37 degrees. We use antipyretic drugs for this - it is better in the form of candles, so that sweet syrup does not irritate the throat.
2. It is very important to monitor the psychological state of the child - if he is scared, the spasm narrows the already narrow lumen of the larynx. Try to calm the child, provide him with emotional peace.
3. Very effective for inhalation laryngotracheitis. Children who have a long track record of ENT diseases, it is useful to have a nebulizer at home. Inhalation of hot humid air dilutes sputum, helps to eliminate it, and disinfects the respiratory tract. Inhalation should not be done at high body temperature.
4. For sore throats, various antiseptic sprays are prescribed, as well as sedative cough remedies. In addition, a strict diet is prescribed. Sweets and allergenic products provoke increased production of mucus in the throat, which clogs the narrow lumen. Hot and cold, spicy and salty dishes are also prohibited.
5. It is very important to breathe clean, cool and moist air. Disease does not mean giving up walking. The kid cannot move himself, as he is very weak. However, a stroller ride is a great option, because fresh air treats laryngotracheitis no worse than drugs. The room should be often ventilated, use humidifiers.
6. So that the mucus in the throat does not thicken, the child should drink a lot. An abundant warm drink will help thin the sputum and quickly remove the virus from the body.
7. It is necessary to ensure that the child breathes with his nose, not his mouth. Use vasoconstrictor drops for this.
8. In addition, the child must observe the voice mode. No need to scream, sing, speak loudly - give ligaments peace.

If the baby coughs incessantly, he has high weight (implies fatty layers inside the larynx, narrowing the lumen), prematurity, congenital anomalies in the structure of the larynx, this is an occasion for immediate hospitalization of the child.

Folk remedies for the treatment of laryngotracheitis

The following recipe is very good for airway inflammation. Pour boiling water over the wheat bran and let it brew for a couple of hours. Strain the composition and add a couple of drops of lemon juice to it.Let the child drink this warm liquid one teaspoon 4-6 times a day.

It is very good to soar your feet with mustard plasters, but you should not do warm compresses on your chest and back. This provokes the flow of blood to the bronchi and lungs, which increases the production of sputum. After recovery, give your child time to recover - do not send him to kindergarten the next day. Strengthening immunity is the best prevention of many diseases.

Laryngotracheitis is a frequent and rather dangerous disease, especially when it comes to a small child. If you notice a dull barking cough in your baby, do not hesitate, consult a doctor. Proper treatment and an integrated approach will help you cure an acute disease in the shortest possible time.

Video: acute stenosing laryngotracheitis in children