Cough

 Coughs are usually associated with respiratory illnesses such as colds, bronchiolitis,croup, flu, and pneumonia. However, a cough can also be caused by allergies, ingestion of a foreign object (such as a small toy or a nut), or a temporary irritant that is breathed in, such as paint fumes or tobacco smoke. 

 Allergy symptoms:

• Dry or hard-to-stop cough
• Red and itchy eyes
• Puffy eyes
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy nose, ears, mouth, and/or throat
• Nasal swelling or congestion
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath.

Asthma symptoms:
 

• Wheezing or coughing, mostly at night or early in the morning
• The wheeze or cough may get worse in response to allergens or irritants or because of rigorous movement or exercise
• Shortness of breath.

Bronchiolitis symptoms:

• Dry, persistent cough
• Slight fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Wheezing
• Difficulties in swallowing and sucking
• Lips and fingertips turn bluish
• Skin is drawn in around the ribs and breastbone.

Choking symptoms:

• Sudden cough
• Trouble breathing
• Gasping or wheezing
• Skin turning bluish
• Appearing panicked
• Being unable to talk, cry, or make a noise
• Becoming limp or unconscious.

Cold symptoms:
 

• Either a wet-sounding cough or an irritating, dry cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Sore throat
• Irritability
• Swollen glands in the neck.

Croup symptoms:

• Barking cough
• Coughing a lot more at night
• High-pitched noise when inhaling
• Stuffy nose.

Flu symptoms:

• A sudden fever of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Chills and body shakes
• Headaches
• Aches
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Dry, hacking cough
• Runny or stuffy nose.

Pneumonia symptoms: 

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Crying more than normal
• Persistent cough
• Fast, labored breathing
• Chest pains
• Wheezing
• Lips or nails turning bluish.

Sinus infection symptoms: 

• Coughing day and night
• Nasal discharge
• Swelling around the eyes
• Bad breath
• Headaches.

Whooping cough symptoms: 

• Intense, persistent, unstoppable coughing
• A “whooping” sound when breathing or coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Cold symptoms in the first week or two
• Area around the mouth looking bluish
• Vomiting as a result of the relentless coughing.

Are your customers raving about you on social media? Share their great stories to help turn potential customers into loyal ones. The treatment your baby’s cough needs, if any, depends on what is causing the cough in the first place. For example, what your child’s healthcare provider would recommend for a cough caused by asthma will likely differ from what she would recommend for a cough caused by a viral infection.   That said, many coughs are caused by viruses. Most of the time, the virus is allowed to run its course, and the cough will eventually go away when the infection clears.   Do not give your baby or young child any over the counter cough or cold medicines. These may produce serious side effects and have not be shown to be effective.    

•  Offer more fluids to keep the airways moist and to help keep your child well hydrated 
•  Turn on a cool mist humidifier, especially if the air in your home is very dry 
•  Sit with your child in the bathroom with the door closed while a hot shower is running to create lots of steam. Breathing in the warm moist air can help ease the cough symptoms.
•   For an older child who coughs at night, try elevating the head of the bed. 

 It’s always safest to consult your healthcare provider about any home remedies for cough.