Is your child coughing? Often, inhalation is a good way to support the healing process. It is important to note, however, that you should always contact your GP as he or she is familiar with the clinical picture of the illness your child has developed.
Inhalation and nebulisation are terms that come up very often in forums where parents are looking for advice on how to help a coughing child. It is important to distinguish between these two terms. Inhalation is a broader term than nebulisation. In the case of nebulisation, the vapours are delivered to the so-called bronchial tree. Inhalation can take place with an inhaler, as well as by inhaling hot vapours (vapour inhalation) orinhaling essential oil vapour. A nebuliser is a device whose function is to change the form of the medicine into an aerosol and administer it to the patient by nebulisation. Essential oils must not be poured into inhalers. Inhalers break down compounds into smaller molecules, and this is undesirable in the case of essential oils. It is important to note that vapour inhalation with essential oils should not be used in children under the age of two, also because of the possibility of the drug entering the alveoli.
Drugs used in nebulisation
Drugs designed to dilate the bronchi are:
- ipratropium bromide. It is a derivative of atropine. Special care is needed during nebulisation to ensure that the drug does not enter the eyes,
- fenoterol and salbutamol - which dilate the bronchi and stimulate mucociliary clearance, facilitate the removal of mucus from the bronchi,
- glycocorticosteroids
- budesonide is a synthetic corticosteroid. It has an anti-inflammatory effect. Used in asthma and acute laryngitis in infants and children.
- mucolytic preparations
- ambroxol is intended to increase the amount of secretion, reduce its viscosity and facilitate expectoration. Should not be administered before bedtime,
- antibiotics
- colistin used to treat chronic infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
- naCl (sodium chloride) solutions
- 0.9% sodium chloride solution, so-called isotonic concentration. Has a moisturising effect. Gently cleanses the respiratory tract. Can be used as a base solution for the preparation of drug inhalations,
- 3%, or hypertonic salt. Its purpose is to facilitate the dilution of secretions. Hypertonic solutions should be used in the morning and at midday. If we want to apply them in the afternoon, this should be done up to 4 hours before bedtime at the latest,
- salt with hyaluronic acid to moisten the mucous membranes. It is suitable for inhalation in dry cough and with a dry nose. It improves expectoration. Do not combine it with other medicines!
The administration of inhalation to a child should be preceded by a medical consultation. Never give medicines that have been left in your home medicine cabinet after the last infection. Inhalations are a good adjunct to treatment, but must always be adapted to the patient's condition.