Any parent may become concerned when their child starts speaking with a hoarse voice out of the blue. Even though a child’s voice change may seem insignificant, there may be underlying issues that need to be addressed. It’s critical to comprehend the causes of a hoarse voice and know how to address it in order to protect your child’s health.
Renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky frequently approaches common pediatric health issues in an easy-to-understand manner. He offers helpful guidance to parents on how to handle a child’s hoarse voice, emphasizing both at-home treatments and when to consult a professional. You can aid in your child’s swift and comfortable recovery by adhering to his advice.
Reasons
The larynx contains vocal cords that directly contribute to sound production. The actual ligaments are highly supple. However, if there is swelling or an inflammatory process in the throat, where the ligaments are attached, their mobility is easily disrupted and altered.
A common misconception among parents is that if their child is vocal, it’s only because they’re cold or hypothermic.
Anything can result in laryngeal inflammation, and viral infections are typically the cause.
- Majority respiratory viruses enter the child’s body through the nose, and this leads to a runny nose. Mucus, which is produced in response to the penetration of an outsider alien agent, accumulates and violates nasal breathing. But some of the viral particles survive and pass further – through the nasopharynx into the larynx, and there the inflammatory process begins, which changes the parameters of the functioning of the vocal cords.
- The second most common cause, according to Evgeny Komarovsky, is an allergic reaction. An antigen protein, which is foreign to the baby"s immune system, causes rejection in its address, and therefore allergies are quite "creative" in various symptoms, including sore throat.
- Hoarseness can be observed after a larynx injury, for example, from a burn, if the child swallowed something very hot. Often, caring mothers in an attempt to quickly cure a baby from ARVI or flu do steam inhalations, during which the child also gets a burn of the mucous membrane of the throat. After such "procedures", a sick, but not hoarse child, becomes hoarse.
- Also, the voice can become hoarse after a long, heart-rending scream from a mechanical injury to the vocal cords. This goes away on its own – the cords recover quite quickly.
- Less often, but this can also happen, inflammation in the throat is caused by bacteria. Usually, such an ailment will not only be accompanied by hoarseness, but also by a high temperature.
Danger
According to Evgeny Komarovsky, the risk associated with this symptom is that any inflammatory process in a child’s larynx can obstruct their airways and prevent their lungs from breathing normally.
A child’s throat is anatomically narrower than an adult’s, which means that swelling will develop much more quickly and aggressively. This creates an additional risk.
When hoarseness first appears, it’s important for parents to take their child to see a specialist as soon as possible because breathing problems can strike at any time. It is the doctor’s responsibility to promptly determine the cause or source of inflammation and to recommend the proper course of action.
Hoarseness can occasionally be an indication of a potentially fatal illness like diphtheria croup. Since vaccination against diphtheria is now mandatory for all children, the disease’s incidence has dramatically dropped. But even in a baby who has received vaccinations, it is impossible to rule out this possibility. The baby may have diphtheria, which is why you need to see a doctor.
If you experience sudden, severe hoarseness, you should call an ambulance. Parents should administer first aid to their infant before the doctors arrive, particularly if the child is already exhibiting signs of breathing difficulties. This involves giving the child plenty of fluids and resting them completely.
Treatment
What causes hoarseness determines how to treat it.
There is no particular therapeutic action required in the event of an acute respiratory viral infection.
Giving the child more fluids will help to keep the mucus in the nose, larynx, and bronchi from drying out. It will also help to create ideal recovery conditions for the baby, such as a room with 50–70% humidity and a temperature of 18–20 degrees.
Not to mention heaters. You can also gargle with a saline solution that has been dripped into your nose.
If the child has allergies, they should definitely see an allergist. An allergist can determine the type of allergen causing the body’s inadequate reaction with the use of specialized tests. The goal of treatment is to get rid of the allergy’s source. Antiallergic antihistamines are prescribed in severe cases.
The child’s doctor will undoubtedly prescribe antibiotics if there is bacterial inflammation. The specific ones will become evident during the examination and further symptom analysis. These are typically medications in the penicillin class.
If the child is hurt, they need to sleep. And the primary medication will be this. Play quietly; avoid trying to communicate at all costs.
In extreme situations, the physician may advise using furacilin as a rinse, applying "Miramistin" or another antiseptic to the larynx, or inhaling certain compounds that trigger the laryngeal vessels to spasm. Their application results in reduced swelling, an open glottis, and the restoration of breathing.
Hoarseness after sleep
Parents may observe that their child wakes up in the morning with a hoarse voice, coughs, and takes some time to recover. Evgeny Komarovsky claims that this phenomenon results from the natural secretory mucus in the larynx drying up at night, especially in the vicinity of the vocal cords.
The baby’s breathing in too much dry air is the cause of this. Just add enough moisture, and the nighttime hoarseness will go away.
The child is hoarse after an illness
An alarming symptom, that one. In the event that the baby has recovered from ARVI and is experiencing sudden hoarseness, it could be a sign of a new infection, most likely bacterial in nature. You need to call a doctor at home right away; don’t wait to see if it goes away on its own or if breathing becomes difficult.
| Problem | Dr. Komarovsky"s Advice |
| Child"s voice became hoarse | Ensure the child drinks plenty of warm liquids to stay hydrated. |
| Signs of infection | Consult a doctor if hoarseness is accompanied by fever or difficulty breathing. |
| Dry air | Use a humidifier to maintain moist air in the child"s room. |
| Strain from shouting | Encourage the child to rest their voice and avoid shouting or whispering. |
It’s crucial to respond calmly and sensibly rather than becoming alarmed if a child has a hoarse voice. Dr. Komarovsky claims that hoarseness is frequently brought on by minor irritations or infections, and that simple home remedies can often alleviate the condition.
It’s important to make sure the child drinks enough water, refrains from yelling or straining their voice, and takes breaks. Sustaining the appropriate humidity level in the space can also aid in relieving sore throats.
It is imperative to seek medical attention if the child is very young, the hoarseness is persistent, or if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like breathing difficulties. It is important for parents to constantly keep an eye on their child’s general health and to seek medical attention right away if something seems off.
Dr. Komarovsky advises parents to remain composed and keep an eye on their child’s general health, paying particular attention to any additional symptoms such as fever, coughing, or breathing difficulties, if their child has a hoarse voice. A hoarse voice is frequently the result of overusing the vocal cords or a common cold and doesn’t necessitate immediate medical attention. To rule out more serious conditions like laryngitis or allergies, it’s crucial to see a doctor if the hoarseness is accompanied by labored breathing or severe discomfort. Recovery for the child can be aided by rest and warm liquids that keep the throat moist.
