Inflammation of the lungs, bronchitis, tracheitis, a common cold - all these diseases are accompanied by a cough. In this case, the symptom may have a different character. In some cases, it significantly worsens the quality of life of the patient. For example, if the disease is accompanied by a dry cough, then it worries in the evening and at night, making it difficult to rest. To eliminate such an unpleasant symptom, doctors can prescribe not only medications, but also alternative medicine - warming compresses.
Application features
Most often, parents try to protect their children from synthetic drugs, so they resort to folk remedies to treat coughs. What is it connected with? Firstly, many synthetic drugs cause side effects, but are not inferior to natural ones in terms of effectiveness. Secondly, the child may have an intolerance to certain components of the drug from the pharmacy.
Cough compresses for children have several effects at once. Their properties allow you to effectively deal with an unpleasant symptom. Compresses are used to eliminate both dry and wet coughs.
How do these funds work? Compress with dry cough strengthensputum production. This allows you to quickly remove foreign agents from the bronchopulmonary region. As for a wet cough, compresses improve the functioning of the bronchi. This improves mucus flow.
What is a compress
Cough compress for children is a kind of bandage that is applied to the back and chest area, and it consists of several main layers:
- Internal is a drug that is used as the main component or as an impregnation. A soft cloth or gauze is moistened in the preparation, and then applied to the treated area.
- Medium is a material that does not allow the active substance to evaporate quickly. To do this, use a piece of film, a plastic bag, etc.
- External - has a warming effect. To achieve the desired effect, the middle layer is covered with a warm material. To do this, use a scarf made of natural wool or down, a wool scarf, a towel, etc.
Where to apply?
For a warm compress to work, you need to know where to apply it. To eliminate the signs of a respiratory ailment, a bandage with the drug is applied to the chest area or to the throat. In this case, it is not recommended to affect the area where the heart is located.
With a dry cough, such compresses can be applied not only to the chest, but also to the back of the child. In this case, there is an exception - children under 10 months of age. Make compressesbreastfeeding is undesirable. According to doctors' reviews, the likelihood of complications increases. It is for this reason that lotions are given to babies.
It is worth noting that warming cough compresses for children help to expel sputum as soon as possible, as well as reduce inflammation and strengthen the protective functions of the body.
Rules
In order for such a procedure to have a tangible effect, certain rules must be observed for its implementation:
- Before applying the compress, it is necessary to lubricate the treated area of the skin with any means with a greasy base. It can be sunflower oil, baby cream or Vaseline.
- Compression bandage should be applied at bedtime.
- Don't reuse the same compress.
- At the end of the procedure, the skin should be wiped with a napkin or cloth dipped in warm water.
Child during the period of illness should be protected from drafts. This is especially important when applying warm compresses.
Benefits of the procedure
Folk remedies for cough in the form of compresses can be used at home. Their preparation is not difficult. In addition, the procedure takes a little time. Ingredients are available in every home. This greatly simplifies the process. Among the advantages of the procedure, it is worth highlighting:
- Not addictive. Unlike synthetic drugs, the active components of the compresses are not addictive.
- Perceptiblethe effect can be seen after several treatments.
- Save money.
- No undesirable consequences if the procedure is carried out correctly.
- Positive impact on the child's body. The use of compresses allows you to remove the inflammatory process, strengthen the immune system, eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.
- Can be used to treat cough in both children and adults.
Many parents refuse drug therapy and are treated with folk remedies. This is not entirely correct. If symptoms of an illness occur, it is worth consulting with specialists.
Restrictions
Cough compresses for children are considered relatively safe. However, there are certain restrictions on their use. Here are the ground rules:
- Don't give your child a warm compress if their body temperature is above 36.7˚C. This will only make his condition worse.
- The use of compresses to treat cough in infants (under 1 year) is strictly prohibited.
- If the child is predisposed to various atopic reactions, it is forbidden to use components that can cause allergies. These include propolis, honey, beeswax, etc.
- In order to avoid skin burns, it is worth putting a thin cotton fabric under the inner layer of the compress.
- It is forbidden to use vodka and alcohol to prepare compresses if the child is less than 6-7 years old. In this case, oil solutions can be used.
In case of individual intolerance to a certain productit is also not recommended to make compresses with its use.
What's included?
Cabbage with honey is good for coughing. A compress with the addition of these products can be prepared independently. Potato-based products also proved to be excellent. Most often used for making compresses:
- natural honey;
- white cabbage;
- cottage cheese;
- potato;
- goat or visceral fat;
- essential oils;
- apple vinegar.
Preparations from such products are suitable for the treatment of any cough: wet, allergic, dry.
Based on bee honey
So, how to make a compress at home? Honey is a wonderful product that helps fight many of the symptoms of a cold. Honey can reduce inflammation, destroy pathogenic bacteria, strengthen the immune system. Among the popular recipes for compresses based on it, it is worth highlighting:
- The use of pure honey. Warm the product slightly in a water bath, it must be evenly distributed over the surface of the skin in the selected area (throat, chest or back). Apply a middle and top layer of compress.
- You can make a cough compress for your child with honey and vinegar. Mix the ingredients, add a little boiled water. Distribute the therapeutic application over the chest, without affecting the area of \u200b\u200bthe heart. For cooking, you can use apple or grape vinegar. In extreme cases, you can use the canteen.
- Cabbage and honey. This effective tool is able to enhance the effect of drugs. To prepare a compress, apply a little honey to the cabbage leaf and spread evenly. You can apply it to the back, and to the chest, and to the throat at the same time. Wrap the compress with cling film and wrap the baby in a down scarf or towel.
Alcohol compresses are also prepared on the basis of honey. However, they are not recommended for the treatment of children.
With cabbage
Warming compresses are often made on the basis of white cabbage. After all, this product has many positive qualities. Cabbage compresses can be applied for wet, dry and allergic coughs, as well as for mild itching in the throat.
It is worth noting that this remedy allows you to get rid of bronchitis, tracheitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. But how to make a compress with cabbage? Here are some ways:
- Cabbage juice. Squeeze juice from fresh cabbage. Mix it with sugar. Such a remedy is recommended to be taken orally 1 teaspoon up to 4 times during the day. For compresses, it is more effective to use gruel from cabbage leaves.
- Cabbage gruel. Chop the vegetable, place in a blender and grind. It should turn out gruel. Use it as an inner layer when applying a compress.
And if honey and cabbage cannot be used?
If a child has an allergic reaction to honey or cabbage, other compresses can be used to eliminate an unpleasant symptom. As a rule, only natural products are used for the procedure:
- Based on cottage cheese. To prepare a compress, you can use any product. Heat the cottage cheese, wrap in cotton cloth. Place the compress on the child's chest, after checking the temperature of the bandage. Leave the compress overnight. If the product turned yellow, then this indicates the beginning of an inflammatory process in the lungs.
- Potato cough compress. To prepare a compress, boil the tubers in their uniforms or in the usual way. Mash the potatoes, add a little vegetable oil. Wrap the resulting mass in cotton cloth, place on the chest or on the back of the child. Very hot compresses are not suitable for the treatment of respiratory diseases. They should be warm.
- Oil-based. For cooking, take an essential oil or a cream-based product. Warm the composition and apply to the child's chest. Apply two layers on top: film and fabric. If the child is prone to allergic reactions, then such a remedy is prohibited.
- From interior fat. S alt is used as the main component. You can also use goat fat. Rub it on the baby's chest and back, avoiding the heart area. Wrap the treated surface with a cloth and a warm scarf or towel.
When choosing a recipe, you should focus onfeatures of the child's body. If a child has a predisposition to allergic reactions, then some remedies are contraindicated for him.
Finally
To avoid unpleasant consequences and deterioration of the child's condition, consult a pediatrician before using alternative medicine. The specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment and advise which compresses can be used for coughing. Remember that such procedures are not the main therapy for respiratory diseases. Compresses only complement it.
