Barking Cough is usually caused by croup, which is an inflammation of the trachea larings and triggered by allergies, change in temperature at night, or are the most common upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. In young children, small airways will be narrowed when experiencing inflammation. Vocal cords will swell so that the child has trouble breathing.
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| Barking Cough |
Children aged less than 3 years most often suffer from croup. Croup can appear suddenly in the middle of the night, so parents were worried. Although most cases can be treated at home, if the child is suspected of having croup, contact your doctor to discuss his condition.
This cough is caused by allergies, changes in air temperature and upper respiratory tract infections. This cough can strike children suddenly, especially at night and before dawn when the child slept.
What is a barking cough ?
A barking cough is a dry, harsh cough that resembles the sound of a barking seal. This type of cough is most often associated with croup (laryngotracheitis). Croup is usually caused by viruses. Bacterial infection may occur secondarily. Parainfluenza virus type 1 is the most common cause of croup; other causes include respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus. Croup causes swelling and inflammation of the area around your voice box (larynx). In some cases, this swelling can become severe and lead to a blocked airway (airway occlusion). Children are especially vulnerable to developing a blocked airway because of the small size of their airways.
A barking cough can have other causes, such as diphtheria, inhaling a foreign object, choking, or infection of the epiglottis (epiglottitis). Your epiglottis is the flap of cartilage that covers your windpipe (trachea) and prevents food from entering the bronchi and lungs.
In some cases, a cough with a barking quality may occur with the common cold. In addition, a barking cough is sometimes used to describe the cough that occurs with pertussis (whooping cough). However, a cough associated with this disease is usually described as a having “whooping” sound as the person gasps for air
Barking Cough Symptoms
A barking cough may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition.
Barking cough is often caused by Croup . Croup usually begins as a mild cold with fever, runny nose, loss of appetite, cough sometimes. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes more frequent and take voice barking. May be accompanied by cough, dyspnoea and sounds unnatural in the respiratory tract. Cough Croup is usually much worse at night and in a dry room.
Common symptoms that may occur along with a barking cough
A barking cough may occur with other symptoms including:
1. Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, aches and pains)
2. Hoarse voice
3. Nausea
4. Runny or stuffed nose (nasal congestion)
5. Sore throat
6. Swollen neck lymph nodes
7. Vomiting
8. Wheezing
Other symptoms that may occur along with a barking cough
A barking cough may accompany other less common symptoms including:
1. Bad breath
2. Diarrhea
3. Fatigue
4. Joint pain
5. Loss of appetite
6. Rash
7. Unexplained weight loss
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases, it can lead to barking cough cases of life-threatening. Choking and inflammation of the epiglottis is always life-threatening conditions and diphtheria can lead to life-threatening complications in some cases. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, your child, or someone you are with, have an undiagnosed barking cough or any of the following symptoms:
1. Abnormal, hoarse or coarse breathing sounds (stridor)
2. Agitation or extreme irritability
3. Change in alertness or level of consciousness, such a lethargy, unresponsiveness, or passing out
4. Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
5. Drooling
6. Not responding to home croup treatments, such as staying in a steamy bathroom
7. Pale or bluish coloration of the lips, skin or fingernails (cyanosis)
8. Shaking chills
9. Tugging, pulling, or collapsing of the muscles in the neck or between the ribs when breathing (muscle retractions)
10. Voice changes
Barking Cough Causes
Barking cough often associated with croup, usually cause respiratory diseases by a viral infection usually affects infants and children. It can also be caused by a barking cough of other factors that irritate and cause inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords, such as bacterial infection or exposure to allergens or irritants, such as regurgitated stomach acid.
In some cases, inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords be severe and lead to blockage of the airways (airway obstruction). Croup usually can be managed at home with the advice of a doctor, but if home treatments do not quickly relieve the cough, you should seek emergency medical care
Other causes of a barky-type cough can include the common cold and postnasal drip.
Serious or life-threatening causes of a barking cough
In some cases, a barking cough may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting by calling 911. These include:
1. Acute asthma attack
2. Diphtheria (serious bacterial infection)
3. Epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis caused by an infection)
4. Inhalation of a foreign object or possible choking
Questions for diagnosing the cause of a barking cough
To aid in diagnosing the cause of your cough, your doctor or licensed health care provider may ask you questions related to your symptoms including:
1. When did your cough begin?
2. Have you had previous episodes of this cough?
3. Does your cough improve upon exposure to cold air?
4. Are you coughing up anything (including blood)?
5. Are you breathing through your mouth (instead of your nose)?
6. Is the cough keeping you up at night?
7. Do you have a fever?
8. Do you have any other symptoms?
The potential complications of barking cough
Barking cough may be a sign of an infectious or inflammatory process that can lead to serious complications in some cases. If you have a cough and described, see a doctor. Once the cause has been diagnosed, it is important to follow the treatment plan and style of specialized reduces the risk of potential complications of underlying diseases, including :
1. Respiratory distress
2. Airway occlusion
3. Respiratory arrest
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