How to independently distinguish an allergic cough from a cold

Cough due to allergies causes a lot of unpleasant moments

Cough is a reflex action of the respiratory organs in response to an irritant. Their role is played by mucus, phlegm, dust, pungent odors, and mechanical irritation by objects.

The question of how to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold puzzles many people when they experience basic symptoms similar to colds and allergies: sneezing, nasal congestion, lacrimation.

The difference between colds and allergic coughs lies in the different approaches to treatment and medications. You can distinguish them yourself without the help of a doctor, but to do this you need to know the symptoms of these conditions.

Your body becomes hypothermic or a tiny living creature—a virus—is introduced into it. There are hundreds of types that have been studied that lead to human disease.

Once a cold virus has entered the body, the immune system launches a defense mechanism. This “answer” is nothing more than a cough. The viruses that cause colds are contagious. You can “catch” it from a person nearby who is sneezing and coughing, through a handshake.

It will take a couple of weeks for the immune system to fight off the infection. Symptoms and severity of inflammation may vary.

Manifestation of the main symptoms of the disease during a cold:

• The virus is transmitted through the air or by contact.
• Main symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion.
• Sneezing and itching are always present.
• If the infection is severe, body aches and fever may occur.
• Rapid recovery of the body from 7 to 10 days.
• With prolonged inflammation (more than 14 days), the doctor suspects an infection.
• People with allergies are prone to catching colds.

A person is always surrounded by many viruses and microbes.

According to doctors, on average a healthy person contracts colds up to 3 times a year. Young children receive higher amounts due to weak immune systems.

What is an allergy?

Here the picture is different; allergies are caused by an overactive immune system. For some reason, the body begins to become hostile to harmless things: dust, pollen, squirrels and begins to attack. When this happens, the body produces a chemical called histamine, much like a cold. This leads to swelling of the mucous membrane in the sinuses, causing the person to sneeze and cough.

The first thing that distinguishes an allergic cough from a cold is that it is not contagious. Although for some people it is inherited.

Here's what you need to know about allergies:

• Some symptoms are similar in appearance to a cold: sneezing, sore throat, cough, runny nose and nasal congestion.
• Sore throat is caused by muscle tension when coughing and irritation of the mucous membrane.
• Itching of the mucous membranes of the eyes appears, and a rash on the skin is possible.
• Fever and body pain are not typical for allergies.

The peculiarity of how to recognize an allergic cough lies in the time of year. More often it appears during a period of increased allergy triggers, when trees and weeds bloom.

Common reasons include:

• dust mites;
• animal dander;
• mold, fungi;
• food allergens (nuts, milk, eggs).

No matter how the allergy is treated with cold medications, the symptoms will not go away and will persist for a long time, until the original trigger is eliminated.

Allergy accompanied by sneezing and coughing

Differences between colds and allergies

To independently determine a health problem, compare the symptoms, duration and manifestation of the disease with the table.

Characteristic	Cold	Allergy
Duration	from 3 to 14 days	from 1 day to several months - as long as there is contact with the allergy trigger
When did it happen	More often in cold weather, but possible all year round	Any time of year, although some allergy triggers are seasonal.
How it started	Several days pass before symptoms appear	Appears immediately after contact with an allergy trigger

Another difference between an allergic cough and a cold is the duration of symptoms. A cold goes away after 2 weeks, rarely lasts longer. You should consult a doctor if the symptoms do not subside after this period. These could be signs of an allergy or other disease.

There are also two types of runny nose in children.

The table summarizes the symptoms of both diseases for ease of identification:

Symptom	Cold	Allergy
Cough	Yes	available
Aches	possible	No
Weakness	possible	possible
Fever	rarely	No
Itching, lacrimation	rarely	Yes
A sore throat	Yes	Sometimes
Runny nose, nasal congestion	Yes	Yes

Cold treatment

The disease is caused by a virus, so treatment is necessary to kill it.

Medicines that relieve cold symptoms:

• cough syrup (excluded only for children under 2 years of age);
• sprays that reduce congestion in the throat;
• painkillers;
• medications that thin the mucus.

We advise you not to resort to self-medication and not to take any medications until you consult a doctor.

You should not take cold medicine for a long time. This often provokes side effects and threatens damage to liver cells.

Home remedies that will not harm your health, but will only speed up recovery:

• drink plenty of clean water, juice and herbal teas;
• rinsing the nose and throat with saline solutions;
• humidifying the air in the sick person's room.

Antibiotics are useless; they have no effect on viruses. Only if the cold progresses will the doctor prescribe an antibacterial drug.

Children suffer from allergic cough no less often than adults

Allergy treatment

You will understand how to distinguish an allergic cough from a regular one as soon as your doctor prescribes you to take antihistamines. They work quickly by blocking histamine reactions to allergens, thereby relieving symptoms.

We advise you to read the leaflet for the medicine. The instructions contain useful information, especially regarding the side effect of taking anti-allergy medications - drowsiness.

The solution is to either replace the medicine or take it only at night. In more severe cases, an allergist will prescribe a decongestant to relieve nasal congestion symptoms. Saline solutions and moisturizers help a lot. The photos and videos in this article will help you correctly carry out the nasal rinsing procedure.

Source: https://Kashel.su/tip/allergicheskij/kak-otlichit-kashel-allergicheskij-ot-prostudnogo-22

How to check if you have an allergic cough or not

Cough is a concomitant symptom of many diseases. It is the body’s reaction to the entry of pathogenic substances into the respiratory system. This factor is also present in allergies.

Main symptoms

This symptom is often a manifestation of bronchial asthma. It is a chronic disease and is detected upon contact with an irritant. In adults and children, the symptoms and causes of this disease are the same.

The irritant, once in the body, triggers reactions directed against the person himself. The consequences of a severe attack can be:

• ruptures of blood vessels or bronchioles;
• persistent bronchospasm;
• suffocation.

The following may act as an allergen:

• fungus;
• pollen;
• medications;
• synthetic fabric;
• animal hair;
• smoke;
• nuts;
• chocolate;
• citrus fruit;
• alcohol;
• dust;
• chemicals;
• perfumery;
• cosmetical tools.

The substances cause inflammatory processes in the body's cells and lead to metabolic disorders. Most often, these symptoms are present in people living near livestock farms, industrial facilities, or working in chemical or microbiological plants. Those who spend a long time on the street are susceptible to the disease: repair workers, police officers, janitors.

An allergic reaction can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• deterioration of the condition occurs unexpectedly, attacks most often occur at night;
• the presence of a dry cough (only after a prolonged attack a certain amount of discharge may appear);
• difficulty breathing, itching in the larynx;
• no increase in temperature is observed;
• no discomfort when swallowing;
• the appearance of a skin rash;
• runny nose (sometimes);
• no redness in the throat;
• cough almost always remains dry;
• The appearance of unpleasant symptoms most often occurs in the spring.

Having noticed the listed signs, you should determine the source of irritation to the respiratory system. To do this, carefully analyze the place where the attack occurred. An allergen can be a substance in the air or in food. In the second case, there are many more symptoms:

A food irritant is much easier to identify than an aeroallergen.

Differences between allergic cough

It is not difficult to recognize an allergic cough. Its signs:

• lack of temperature;
• increased in the evening;
• the occurrence of asthma attacks.

An allergic cough in a child is accompanied by itchy skin, lacrimation and nasal congestion. Children are more susceptible to this disease.

They may experience respiratory dysfunction, which often causes hysteria and a feeling of fear. This condition can lead to serious consequences, including respiratory arrest.

Taking medications on time, as well as urgently seeking medical help, will help prevent complications.

Lack of treatment can lead to the development of bronchial asthma. Parents should closely monitor the child’s reaction to medications, food, and plants. The appearance of dermatitis is an alarming signal that indicates the body’s tendency to allergic manifestations.

If after taking the prescribed medications your health does not change for the better, you should consult a specialist to avoid complications.

How to distinguish an allergic cough from bronchitis

Depending on the nature of the cough, its character may differ; the causes of intolerance to substances are different (heredity, unhealthy lifestyle, respiratory tract infections).

Before starting treatment, an accurate diagnosis should be made. This is not easy to do, because the symptoms of these diseases have much in common.

A person must remember what preceded the appearance of a cough: exposure to low temperatures or contact with a substance that causes a similar reaction.

The difference between an allergic cough and a cold:

1. The color of sputum (in case of allergies, the discharge is transparent).
2. Development of the disease. At the first stage, an allergic cough in adults can last from 2 hours to 4 days. At the second stage, viscous, colorless sputum appears.

The discharge is the result of spasms and severe swelling of the mucous membranes. A person is unable to cope with an attack on his own. The body soothes bronchial irritation by secreting mucus.

People who want to know how to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold should take into account that when you have a cold, you have a headache, aching bones, and chills.

A distinctive feature of allergies is that the attack cannot be controlled. The person has difficulty breathing, his face takes on a bluish tint, and wheezing appears.

In case of respiratory disease, unpleasant symptoms can be controlled.

Timely treatment brings rapid relief to the patient.

How to distinguish an allergic cough from a neurological one

A cough that begins in the absence of physiological prerequisites for it is a symptom of a nervous system disorder. In children, such symptoms appear after a conflict situation. With the onset of night and in a calm state, these signs disappear. In rare cases, insomnia appears against this background.

Drugs with expectorant properties and antibiotics in this case do not have a positive effect. The disease is treated with sedatives (for example, Glycine and Pantogam). Both folk remedies and physiotherapy help: baths, special relaxing massage, etc.

Treatment

A specialist will be able to accurately recognize the symptoms of the disease and make the correct diagnosis. The patient is given a preliminary referral for the necessary tests. For diagnostic purposes, specialists conduct laboratory and instrumental studies. To get rid of the problem, the allergen must be eliminated.

It is quite difficult to determine the cause of cough; complex laboratory tests are performed for this purpose. For example, some people cannot tolerate pet hair, others cannot tolerate bird feathers. In this case, it is recommended not to keep such pets in the apartment, since the patient’s condition can develop into a chronic form.

Plant pollen can also cause a negative reaction in the body. In this case, it is recommended to consider the following points:

• avoid the source of irritation;
• open windows less often.

The hardest thing to deal with is the reaction to dust. In this case, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning of the room several times a day. This procedure will alleviate the condition, but will not eliminate the problem. When visiting dusty rooms and public places, symptoms will reappear.

After identifying the causes, special medications are prescribed to help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. Drug treatment involves eliminating the problem with antihistamines.

They are able to eliminate coughing attacks. Cough remedies in the form of lollipops are convenient to take with you, because they can be used in any situation.

To combat the problem, the following medications are prescribed:

The drugs only fight the cough itself, without getting rid of the source of the problem. They begin to act half an hour after administration. It is recommended to fight the disease with inhalations. Medicinal herbs and essential oils are added to the solution.

Cough with shortness of breath

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Symptoms of an allergic cough

Cough is one of the specific symptoms of any allergy. Doctors call it “a cough type of bronchial asthma.” It should be noted that an allergic cough is directly associated with the development of an inflammatory process affecting the mucous membrane of the throat, as well as the trachea and, finally, the bronchi.

The reasons that cause an allergic cough in adults can be completely different. Basically they depend on a very specific allergen. Coughing is often caused by an allergy to household dust, plants during the flowering period, certain animals, or the body’s own reaction to the ingestion of a foreign protein from plasma, serum or vaccine.

The content of the article

Where does a cough due to allergies come from?

1. The most common allergens are flowering trees and other plants in the spring, as well as pet hair or regular dust. Contact with these pathogens must be stopped as soon as an allergy is suspected.
2. People may cough due to a lack of perception of tobacco or any other smoke. The reaction is unstable and completely disappears approximately 1 hour after the pathogen is eliminated - a smoking person or a smoldering object.
3. In some cases, cough in adults occurs after taking certain medications, which, by the way, can complement this symptom with dermatological reactions - dropsy and urticaria. Often, such a nuisance arises in the process of self-medication or experimenting with “grandmother’s” recipes without taking into account the doctor’s opinion.
4. Allergens are also hidden in cosmetics. For example, hair styling products are almost always irritants. Compact and loose powders, eye shadows, deodorants, perfumes - all these items of decorative cosmetics contain substances that are quite capable of making adult allergy sufferers cough.
5. Allergic cough is often suffered by those who work in industries (plants, factories) or are forced to work in the fresh air. Microscopic particles of dust or harmful substances during the breathing process settle on the larynx, trachea and, finally, on the bronchi.

The main signs of an allergic cough

How to identify an allergic cough? There are several signs that will help you recognize it:

• as usual, there is no increase in body temperature;
• it rarely bothers you during daylight hours;
• a person also suffers from a sore throat, a hoarse voice and unbearable itching in the depths of the throat.

Cough in allergy sufferers usually worsens in spring and early autumn. The development of the disease in adults often follows a certain scenario.

First, the allergen enters the body through the respiratory tract. The immune system immediately rushes to fight foreign particles and actively tries to remove them. Due to irritation of the respiratory tract, a person gets a runny nose and cough. Then, these symptoms may be supplemented by inflammation of the throat, spreading to the trachea and even the bronchi.

How is it different from a cold?

• The sudden onset of symptoms immediately after contact with the suspected allergen in the absence of any other signs characteristic of acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections.
• It lasts a long time - over 21 days. At the same time, general weakness, chills and high temperature, as well as other purely cold-like symptoms are not observed.
• It is almost always accompanied by rhinitis. A person not only coughs, but also suffers from a runny nose, watery eyes, itching of the mucous membranes and skin. His nose and throat begin to itch, causing him to sneeze repeatedly.
• Sometimes a cough may occur immediately after contact with an allergen or even during interactions with it. For example, when visiting a perfume or cosmetics store, a dry cleaner, or a store that sells carpets. The strong smell of chemicals and fabrics treated with them can not only make you cough, but also provide a headache in the frontal region.
• With an allergic cough, as a rule, sputum is not produced. True, there are cases of its presence, but it always has a colorless appearance - transparent, like glass. Yellow-green sputum with pus clearly indicates that this is not an allergy, but a bacterial infection.

Danger

Source: https://lkray-promo.ru/kashel/kak-proverit-allergicheskiy-kashel-ili-net/

Allergic or cold cough - features, signs, differences

Cough is a symptom of many infectious and non-infectious diseases. It represents the body's protective reaction to the penetration of pathogens into the respiratory tract.

To know how to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold, you need to have an idea of ​​the mechanisms of development of this symptom.

This article describes the main causes of this phenomenon, characteristic features for various pathologies, as well as treatment methods.

Cough with a cold: main features

A cold cough can most often occur with a viral infection of the respiratory tract due to ARVI. It may also be a consequence of the development of a bacterial complication, such as bronchitis. This is often observed in long-term smoking patients, since tobacco smoke contributes to damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and the development of infection in it.

A cold can manifest itself as a dry or wet cough. At first there is almost no sputum, but as the inflammatory process resolves, its amount can increase significantly. This is especially true for bacterial infections - in such cases the sputum has a greenish tint.

In addition, colds and other infectious pathologies always manifest themselves with common symptoms:

• decreased performance, weakness;
• fever;
• headache;
• decreased appetite.

These manifestations are associated with the development of intoxication of the body by metabolic products of pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

Important! Symptoms such as fever occur to make it easier for the immune system to fight the pathogen. Therefore, you should not take antipyretic drugs if the temperature does not rise above 37.5 degrees.

Treatment should only be carried out by a qualified physician. There are a large number of drugs used for coughs and colds, and choosing the right treatment regimen can only be done after examining the patient. It is necessary to know the most likely cause of the disease in order for treatment to give a positive result.

The main signs of an allergic cough

Cough in asthma and other allergic diseases occurs due to the fact that the cells of the human immune system secrete a large amount of biologically active substances into the tissue. This leads to swelling and irritation, which triggers the reflex.

Allergic reactions can manifest themselves as the following:

• bronchospasm, that is, a sharp decrease in the lumen of the bronchi. As a result, it becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, and suffocation may occur;
• bronchial obstruction also occurs due to the production of a large amount of viscous mucus, which is difficult to cough up.

Due to a prolonged inflammatory process of an allergic nature, the bronchial mucosa can be replaced by connective tissue. This leads to persistent impairment of respiratory function and the development of respiratory failure. Therefore, when a cough appears, treatment should be started as early as possible. This is the only way to prevent the development of long-term complications of the disease.

Differences between allergic and cold coughs

To determine the cause of the disease, you need to know the difference between an allergic and a cold cough:

• the first is not characterized by the presence of general symptoms associated with intoxication of the body - increased body temperature, chills, malaise, headache;
• with allergies, all manifestations appear suddenly upon contact with an irritant, and also quickly disappear. Therefore, such patients may complain of symptoms only during certain periods of the year, and the rest of the time they may not experience any inconvenience;
• medications used for coughs and colds are ineffective in treating allergic pathology. However, even a single use of desensitizing agents can significantly reduce the severity of the disease;
• with allergies, only a dry cough is noted; there may be either a small amount of sputum or no sputum at all. Moreover, it has a slimy character and a transparent color. Such a cough is not typical for a bacterial infection; there is usually a large amount of purulent or mucopurulent sputum.

In addition to the features listed above, an allergic cough may be characterized by the presence of the following symptoms::

• rashes and redness of the skin;
• skin itching, urticaria;
• redness, discomfort in the eyes;
• breathing disorder.

In most cases, it is quite easy to distinguish infectious from non-infectious processes. However, a heavy smoker may experience a dry cough that does not respond to regular medications. The reason for this is due to the fact that due to long-term smoking, chronic bacterial inflammation develops in the wall of the respiratory tract, and its structure also changes.

Principles of treatment of cold cough

Infectious diseases that cause coughing are treated by a general practitioner. For this purpose, drugs are prescribed that:

• reduce the viscosity of sputum;
• improve its discharge;
• if the cough is severe, the use of drugs that suppress this reflex is indicated.

However, in order for the effect of therapy to be most pronounced, it is necessary not only to fight the symptom, but also to treat the cold, affecting the cause of the pathology. For this purpose, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Sometimes antibacterial drugs are added to them - this is necessary in cases where a bacterial infection is suspected of being associated with ARVI.

Basics of treating allergic cough

You can cure a lingering cough due to allergies using the following groups of drugs:

• antihistamines , which reduce the severity of swelling and irritation of the mucous membranes;
• glucocorticoids - these drugs have a more pronounced anti-inflammatory and desensitizing effect, but can lead to the development of undesirable effects. Therefore, they are used only in severe cases, when the drugs from the first group are ineffective or when suffocation occurs;
• bronchodilators - the effect of these drugs is to expand the lumen of the bronchi, improving their patency. The main indication for their use is asthmatic cough and asthma attacks. Patients with asthma need to regularly use long-acting bronchodilators to prevent exacerbation of the disease;
• Membrane stabilizing agents - these drugs reduce the permeability of mast cell membranes. This prevents the release of histamines and other biological substances into the intercellular space, which cause swelling and tissue irritation.

Due to the variety of medications and indications for their use, patients should not begin treatment for allergic cough on their own.

At home, only antihistamines, for example Loratadine, can be used. Traditional methods are contraindicated in such cases, as they can worsen the patient’s condition.

If such treatment does not have a positive effect, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Knowing the difference between a cough associated with an infection and an allergy is necessary in order to choose the right treatment. Timely initiation of therapy will help avoid the development of complications. This is especially important for an allergic cough, as it can be caused by swelling of the airways, which, if increased, can lead to suffocation.

Source: https://med-gorlo.ru/kashel/kashel-allergicheskij-ili-prostudnyj.html

Differences between Allergic Cough and Colds (Symptoms, Treatment)

Cough is our body’s reaction to respiratory irritation. It can appear as a result of infection and inflammation in the body, and even due to a nervous disorder. However, in some cases the symptom is considered the main sign of allergy.

Therefore, you need to understand how to correctly distinguish a cough, especially since the signs are similar. Let's analyze how to distinguish the normal type from the allergic one, and also what is their main difference and difference.

Main symptoms

We are talking about coughing as a key sign of an allergy. Therefore, it is worth considering the symptoms of an allergic type:

• duration (dry lasts for months);
• absence of accompanying body reactions that are characteristic of colds;
• clear mucus is released;
• exacerbation of attacks upon contact with an allergen;
• secondary manifestations of allergies are rhinitis, conjunctivitis, skin rashes with swelling.

Note! The allergic type occurs unexpectedly if a person feels healthy and is often not accompanied by additional interactions of the body.

Symptoms:

• the temperature does not rise;
• pain in the head area;
• increased lacrimation and redness of the eyes;
• copious, colorless discharge from the nose;
• sneezing several times in a row;
• sudden attacks;
• the symptom is barking and dry, appears more at night;
• itchy throat and nose;
• skin itching;

And unlike dry, wet allergic cough is characterized by the production of sputum. A healthy child can cough up to fifteen times a day, more often in the morning, clearing the larynx and other respiratory organs of microparticles. Excessive drooling during teething can also cause a wet appearance.

The most common causes of a wet cough in a child are:

• infectious diseases (acute viral infections);
• inflammatory disease of the bronchi, in which the airway is obstructed;
• pneumonia in remission;
• asthma and allergies;
• rhinitis, including allergic;
• an abscess localized inside the lung tissue;
• tuberculosis.

Important! Allergic must be distinguished from bronchitis or whooping cough. All diseases are treated differently. You cannot treat a child on your own, without consulting a professional, since the choice of medications should be made exclusively by the doctor.

Differences between allergic cough

With colds, similar symptoms are expressed, such as redness of the throat, increased temperature, runny nose and cough. This kind of symptom directly frees the bronchi from emerging obstacles. A cold can be wet or dry.

Dry appears during inflammatory actions in the mucous membrane of the pharynx, wet - during inflammation in the bronchi.

When curing types of colds, complex treatment with medications is used to relieve swelling, inflammation and drugs to thin thick sputum.

The difference between an allergy and a cold is, as a rule, that this manifestation is considered the body’s protective response to allergens, which may well be both internal and external. For example, food products, pollen, chemicals. substances, dust formation, animal hair.

• Allergies only occur at certain times of the year; colds can appear at any time.
• With allergies, general poisoning of the body does not begin...
• The main distinguishing features of an allergic cough:

• Medicines cannot help in curing a common cough;
• with allergies, debilitating attacks occur, it is almost impossible to cough, and there is no sputum separation;
• occurs from time to time during the flowering season of plants;
• in some cases there is a feeling of lack of air - shortness of breath;
• worsens with specific stimuli;
• headache and lack of fever are characteristic of a cold;
• an allergic rash occurs on the skin or increased lacrimation;

The doctor always faces the challenge of how to determine what directly triggered the allergy. To do this, various study methods are used:

1. Skin allergy tests. This method can help determine what immediate irritant may have triggered the cough. A mixture of different allergens is injected into the patient's skin. When, after a certain time, a dermatological response in the form of redness and swelling occurs, the test is considered positive. But not all patients can undergo this type of research. In case of anaphylactic shock, allergy tests are contraindicated.
2. Enzyme immunosorbent test for allergens. This study can be used in cases where serious allergic interactions make dermatological testing harmful. This is a blood test for the presence of antibodies to allergens. The level of immunoglobulins in the blood is determined; their increase may indicate an allergy. Antibodies can be used to determine which irritant is considered a provocative factor.
3. The multiple chemiluminescence method is one of the most specific methods for diagnosing allergies. It makes it possible to detect, including hidden allergies. A special panel with a set of allergens is used, into which the patient’s blood serum is placed. An enzyme is added to the panel, which produces a glow (luminescence). This is secured by the device. This kind of method makes it possible to clearly see the presence of antibodies to specific types of allergens. In particular, the method can help establish an allergic response to a couple of elements simultaneously.
4. Take a general blood test. The number of eosinophils in a blood test is considered a marker of allergic interaction.
5. Nasal swab for eosinophils. An increased value of these cells may indicate an allergy.
6. Sputum analysis makes it possible to distinguish a cough of infectious origin from an allergic one. In case of allergies, there are no pathogenic microorganisms in the sputum.
7. Bronchophonography is the study of breath sounds using a computer. This method can detect those respiratory sounds that cannot be heard during ordinary listening to the chest with a phonendoscope.

How to distinguish an allergic cough from bronchitis?

A cough of an allergic nature is similar to the seizures that occur with whooping cough or acute bronchitis. Often this is a dry species, which is called barking. The discharge is separated with great difficulty, but just before the attack the child may feel suffocation caused by swelling of the mucous layers of the respiratory tract.

Unlike the type caused by some kind of infection, the general condition of children is practically not disturbed, and body heat remains within normal limits. In addition, a cough of an allergic nature can often be associated with exposure to an allergen.

The first thing that changes is the indicators of leukocytes, since they immediately respond directly to the presence of infection. In a similar way, with bronchitis, a blood test shows the presence of leukocytosis.

The patient also exhibits a slight increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

How to distinguish an allergic cough from a neurological one?

When physiological reasons have been ruled out, carefully monitor the child. When a child coughs exclusively during the day, especially under the influence of a conflict situation, after a quarrel, and at night and in a state of calm the signs disappear, most likely he has a neurogenic cough. However, against this background, children may experience insomnia in some cases.

Traditional expectorants and antibiotics have virtually no effect. Due to nervousness, the symptom is difficult to treat, but it can be treated with sedative medications (Glycine, Pantogam) and folk remedies, various physiotherapeutic procedures (soothing massage, baths).

Treatment

It is worth highlighting that it is necessary to treat dry allergic cough in a comprehensive manner, which includes:

• taking antihistamine pharmaceutical substances;
• complete exclusion of the allergen;
• taking vitamins to strengthen the immune system;
• allergy prevention;
• use of folk remedies.

When a child is bothered by a dry allergic cough, it is necessary to stop it. Children need to be given antihistamines, otherwise bronchial obstruction may occur.

Only a doctor can prescribe therapy. Antihistamines are divided into a number of generations. Modern remedies are administered once a day and do not provide secondary results.

First generation medications can increase irritation and lethargy. Substances of plant origin are undesirable, since many herbs stimulate allergies.

In the most difficult cases, glucocorticosteroids are given.

Medicines

Basically, glucose and saline preparations are determined. Regular rinsing of the mouth with salt added to the water helps. Allergies can also be treated with the help of sorbents. Prescribe Polyphepan, Polysorb or Enterosgel. The doctor may also prescribe:

• for allergic rhinitis, Diazolin is prescribed;
• for allergic diseases, calcium gluconate is prescribed;
• for seasonal runny nose and allergic conjunctivitis, Cetrin is prescribed;
• for skin itching, food and drug allergies, Suprastin can be prescribed;
• for rhinitis and conjunctivitis, as well as for itchy allergic dermatosis, Zodak is prescribed;
• Tavegil may be prescribed to relieve attacks.

The drug Suprastin can be used in a small dose for children up to 6 years of age. The baby is prescribed one fourth of the tablets, this dose is given 3 times a day. From 6 to 14 years old, 0.5 pills are given three times a day. The drug is taken during meals.

If allergic attacks torment an infant, it is necessary to ventilate the room, remove the allergen, call a pediatrician or an ambulance (if symptoms are severe). You should not give your baby antihistamines on your own.

Important! It is risky to treat a child under 2 years of age with mucolytics or antihistamines. It is preferable to get rid of allergies by drinking plenty of fluids. It is necessary to ensure that the child does not rot; his clothes should be light.

By visiting a doctor in a timely manner, you can quickly cure an allergic cough and prevent complications. Moreover, any qualified doctor can distinguish an allergic cough from a cold.

Source: https://kashlya-net.ru/kashel/otlichiya-allergicheskogo-kashlya-ot-prostudnogo

How to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold in a child

Hello, dear readers. Today we are discussing how important it is for parents to know the differences between a child’s cold cough and an allergic cough, and what treatment will be prescribed in the first and second cases.

A cough is always a symptom of a disease, not the disease itself.

And it is very important to identify exactly what disease caused the child’s cough, because treatment for colds and allergies will be completely different, and the health of children directly depends on proper treatment.

How children cough when they have a cold

• So that parents know how to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold in a child, let's talk in more detail about the symptoms.
• When you have a cold (this means acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, tracheitis, in general all diseases of the upper respiratory tract; for convenience, we will refer to these diseases later in the article as “colds”), coughing is a way to clear the bronchi of obstacles (phlegm), so that breathing remains normal.
• Therefore, treatment in this case is aimed at ridding the bronchi of phlegm, bringing it out, and not suppressing the cough.

A cold cough can be characterized by both dryness and moisture. It begins when the mucous membranes of the throat become inflamed. If the bronchial tree is inflamed, the cough is characterized by moisture from the very beginning.

How children cough with allergies

A cold is not always the reason why a child starts coughing. If there is no cold, but the child coughs, especially in spring and summer, then most likely this manifestation is based on an allergic nature.

1. Allergies in children can occur to various irritants, but in spring and summer there is a lot of plant pollen in the air, and this is a strong allergen that penetrates the child’s respiratory tract and causes coughing.
2. With an allergy, the child’s immature immune system reacts to the irritant as if it were an enemy that must be fought.
3. The means of this fight is the release of histamine, and one of the signs of the allergic reaction triggered by this is that the child begins to cough.

Main differences

Thus, when asked how an allergic cough differs from a cold in a child, doctors answer that a cough during a cold can be considered as a complication of various respiratory diseases.

And in the case of an allergy, the child develops hypersensitivity to an irritant, which can be external (plant pollen, pet hair, household dust) or internal (foods, some medications).

How to distinguish an allergic cough from a cold in children? Symptoms can vary greatly.

• A child coughs with a cold, which means that general intoxication of the child’s body begins: children are lethargic, weak, they usually have a fever and a headache. With allergies, such intoxication is absent.
• Cough during colds does not depend on the seasons; coughing attacks due to allergies are characterized by seasonality.
• If a child has an allergy, there is very little sputum (usually colorless, without impurities), the cough is dry, and sometimes barking. A cold in the first days of the disease is also not yet wet, but then it becomes moist, the sputum begins to leave, and the bronchi are well cleansed.
• An allergic cough begins suddenly, attacks can drag on, literally exhausting the child, and at night the manifestations are most acute.
• Sometimes an allergic cough occurs only upon contact with an allergen or shortly after contact.
• Rhinitis (as well as itching in the nasal passages, their swelling, sneezing) can be present both with a cold and with an allergic cough, but with a cold, the runny nose will go away quickly, and allergic rhinitis will go away only after comprehensive treatment of allergies. In addition, nasal discharge during an allergic cough, unlike a cold, is always light and transparent.
• Conjunctivitis, as a rule, is characteristic of an allergic cough, and not a cold.
• With an allergic cough, there may be other allergy symptoms, for example, skin rashes, which practically does not happen with the cold version.
• It is very dangerous when a child begins to choke during an allergic cough and bronchospasm begins. With a cold, this symptom does not exist.
• It is typical for infants that even a cough during a cold may not produce sputum, since the baby’s bronchi are still in the process of formation.

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate a child’s cough. If parents do not recognize an allergic cough and begin to treat it with cold remedies, then even completely harmless medications (mucolytics, expectorants) can be very harmful to the child.

If children with an allergic cough are not treated for allergies in a timely manner, serious complications are possible: diseases of the bronchi and lungs, not to mention allergies as such, which can become lifelong.

Treatment for a cold is very different from treatment for allergies.

To cure a child of a cold cough, the doctor will prescribe medications that thin the mucus and help remove it from the body (expectorants), and if necessary, antibiotics will be prescribed.

That is, they are usually treated with drugs that help the child stop coughing. These medications do not help with allergic coughs.

If a specialist predicts that a child has an allergic cough, laboratory tests will be ordered to identify the allergen.

From six months you can do a blood test for immunoglobulin E, the presence of which in the blood plasma indicates an allergic reaction. Skin allergy tests have proven themselves well. But doctors use this method for children who are already seven years old.

If an allergy is confirmed, an allergist will begin comprehensive treatment so that the child gets rid of not only an allergic cough, but also any other manifestations of the disease.

First, contact with the allergen must be completely eliminated. Further, to stop the child from coughing, children may be prescribed drug therapy:

• Antihistamines that block the release of histamine. Usually doctors choose modern means without side effects.
• Drugs that promote bronchodilation and eliminate bronchospasm.
• Inhalations (with medications) that expand the lumen of the bronchi.
• Local remedies for skin lesions, rhinitis and conjunctivitis.
• Enterosorbents that remove irritants from the child’s body.
• Various traditional medicines (if necessary) for inhalation.

The complex use of drugs will eliminate allergy symptoms in a child, including allergic cough, although it can take quite a lot of time to treat just such an allergy symptom.

Important to remember

1. Allergic and cold coughs differ from each other not only in cause, but also in a number of symptoms.
2. Treatment of children's colds and allergic coughs is carried out completely differently.

3. If a child coughs, parents should immediately contact a specialist to accurately diagnose the nature of the cough. Self-medication is unacceptable; it can cause great harm to the child.

See you in the next article!

Source: https://allergo.pro/kak-otlichit-allergicheskij-kashel-ot-prostudnogo-u-rebenka/