Introduction
Hoarseness is not uncommon in babies, especially in the context of a cold. However, many other circumstances can also cause hoarseness. The problem is that a hoarseness in babies is often not as noticeable and cannot be treated so easily with the measure of sparing the voice.
Nevertheless, even in babies, hoarseness is usually no cause for concern, can be treated well and usually heals without consequences. However, if there is a suspicion of an underlying disease or if the symptoms do not improve even after some time, it is always essential to consult a pediatrician. Hoarseness in children or babies is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that can occur in a variety of different diseases.
Since the baby cannot yet speak, the hoarseness is usually noticed by the fact that the crying/crying becomes quieter and sounds a bit hoarse. Depending on what the cause of hoarseness is, it can be accompanied by other symptoms. It is often associated with coughing and rhinitis, sometimes with difficulty swallowing (which in babies is usually noticeable by a weakness in drinking), general fatigue or fever.
A frequent cause of hoarseness in babies is loud crying. The baby can literally scream in rage and get a hot head as a result, which is harmless. A hot head can also be an indication of an increased body temperature or fever.
In such a case the parents should take the child’s temperature. If the head is hot and there is no fever, there is no need for parents to take action, but if there is a fever, a doctor should be consulted. Hoarseness in combination with fever can be an indication of an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract.
Often the cause is a flu-like infection or a simple cold. A dry cough, which can lead to hoarseness, and a slight fever are characteristic. Especially babies and small children are often affected by the so-called pseudocroup.
This is a viral infection that leads to an inflammation of the larynx with hoarseness. High fever can be an indication of a bacterial infection. Bacterial diseases that lead to hoarseness must be treated with antibiotics in most cases.
These clinical pictures include tonsillitis, laryngitis or pneumonia. If a baby suffers from high fever, parents should immediately consult a doctor or hospital. In principle, hoarseness is caused by a disorder in the larynx, in the area of the vocal folds or vocal cords.
Since the vibrations in the larynx area necessary for voice formation require the entire apparatus to function properly, irritation, mechanical strain, nerve damage and swelling in this area typically manifest themselves as hoarseness. There are a variety of causes for hoarseness in a baby. However, by far the most common is as a harbinger or concomitant of a cold or flu-like illness.
These are accompanied by an inflammatory reaction in which the mucous membranes store fluid and swell. Inflammations of the throat and larynx can, however, be triggered not only by infections but also by allergies. Especially in babies, it is also not uncommon that the hoarseness is simply caused by the child crying a lot.
The crying itself can of course have many reasons, but as long as it is not caused by pain or illness, it is still harmless. But how can you recognize an emergency and what should you do if it occurs? hoarseness can be a kind of complication that occurs when children are teething.
This is especially common in children who feel pain when teething and therefore cry and scream more often. In the long run this puts a strain on the vocal chords and can lead to the baby’s hoarseness. Occasionally, however, no relation to an excessively crying child can be recognized.
In case of additional symptoms, such as weakness in drinking, fever or listlessness, the pediatrician should be consulted, since an infection can also be behind the hoarseness and is falsely associated with teething. This also fits in with the fact that children are more susceptible to infections while teething.One of the reasons for this is that the wounds in the mucous membrane caused by the breaking through of the teeth provide an easier entry and multiplication ground for various bacteria and viruses. Moreover, teething is physically demanding for the child.
The body concentrates more or less on it, which results in a short-term and slightly reduced immune defence. You can learn more about this topic here: Teething during babyLong crying and crying of a baby leads to overstrain of the vocal cords and hoarseness. The voice is formed in the larynx.
This is an organ located in the front part of the neck and consists of the vocal folds with the vocal chords. Between the vocal chords lies a free gap. the glottis.
By tightening the vocal chords and allowing air to flow through the glottis, the vocal chords are set in vibration and a sound is produced. Through long and loud screaming, the vocal chords swell and can no longer vibrate freely. As a result, voice development is impaired and the baby is hoarse.
Babies who cry extremely loudly and are often hoarse may develop so-called crying or vocal nodules. Due to the permanent overexertion of the vocal cords, they thicken and form small excrescences, the cry nodules. These benign changes impede the vibration of the vocal cords and thus lead to a loss of voice.
A persistent hoarseness that persists for a long period of time can be an indication of the presence of such vocal cord changes. In such a case, a pediatrician or an ENT specialist should be consulted, who can initiate appropriate treatment. Babies can suffer from heartburn caused by reflux.
In this case, acid gastric juice flows from the stomach back into the esophagus, where it damages the mucous membrane. Because the angle between the stomach and the esophagus is not yet very large in babies, babies occasionally suffer from reflux. However, this is quite normal and does not need further treatment.
In the course of time, the problem disappears by itself as the babies grow. However, it is possible that the vocal cords are damaged and the babies become hoarse due to the burping of the caustic stomach acid. In such a case, the hoarseness does not need to be treated and disappears by itself after a short time.
To prevent the occurrence of reflux, parents can take some measures. These include feeding the baby only small portions, but more frequently and not to wrap it too tightly. Also the sitting position after the meal prevents the backflow of gastric acid.
After an operation under anaesthetic, the baby may be hoarse. The reason for this is ventilation with a breathing tube (tube) during the operation. Due to the general anesthesia, the baby is not able to breathe independently, which is why a breathing tube is inserted.
The lungs are supplied with air through this tube. Intubation can irritate or slightly injure the vocal chords, causing them to swell and no longer vibrate sufficiently. As a result, the baby loses its voice and is hoarse.
This is quite normal and no longer dangerous. Usually the hoarseness disappears after two to three days. Hoarseness in babies is usually caused by a cold or flu-like infection.
However, a baby can also be hoarse without having a cold. In addition to mechanical overstrain caused by loud or prolonged crying and crying, changes in the vocal folds, such as crying nodules, can also be a cause of hoarseness. Another cause of hoarseness without a cold can be thrush (candidosis).
This is an infection with a yeast fungus of the genus Cadida. Newborns and babies are particularly often affected by a thrush infection. The fungi attack the mouth (oral thrush) or the diaper area (diaper thrush).
Via the mucous membrane of the mouth, the infection can spread to the throat and also affect the vocal chords, limiting their function and making the baby hoarse. In addition to hoarseness, thrush can be recognized by the characteristic white, small patches on the inside of the cheeks and on the tongue. If there is any suspicion of thrush, parents should consult a pediatrician with their baby.
Thrush can be easily diagnosed and effectively treated with fungicidal drugs (antimycotics). If a baby has hoarseness, the diagnosis can usually be made by a pediatrician during a clinical examination.First of all, the parents are asked to describe the child’s symptoms exactly, i.e. how long they have existed, when they occur, whether there are any other complaints, etc. Then the doctor looks at the child’s nose, mouth and throat and listens to the lungs with a stethoscope.
If an infectious disease is suspected, a sample can be taken if necessary, from which the causative pathogen can be determined. Only rarely are imaging procedures necessary to get to the bottom of the cause of hoarseness, since causes such as tumors are extremely rare compared to adults. In the case of hoarseness, it is important to observe a few simple rules of behavior, which often ensure that the symptoms disappear on their own.
It makes sense to keep the mucous membrane of the throat as moist as possible. To do this, a sufficient supply of fluids is just as important as staying in an environment with not too dry air. If possible, the sick child should be taken out into the fresh air regularly (although cold air should be kept away from the face with the help of cloths, for example).
At the same time, the air indoors should be actively kept humid, for example by placing a humidifier in the room or by hanging wet towels or laundry in the room. As with adults, some household remedies for babies are effective against hoarseness, as they reduce the inflammation and soothe the irritated throat. Thyme, chamomile and sage, for example, all of which can be administered in the form of teas, have good effects.
With the help of these measures, hoarseness in babies usually disappears by itself after a while. However, if worrying side effects such as fever, apathy or weakness in drinking occur, the therapy should definitely be put in professional hands. If a particular illness is the cause of hoarseness, it must of course be treated appropriately to get rid of it.
Nose drops, antipyretic drugs or cough removers are often administered because of the remaining cold or flu symptoms. If bacteria have been detected in the sample material, treatment with antibiotics is indicated. If, however, once, only very rarely in children, a nerve damage or a tumor has caused hoarseness, appropriate steps are taken to treat these diseases.
In the case of hoarseness, it is very important that the child drinks enough fluids in the first place. Hoarseness can be a sign of an approaching or already existing pharyngitis. With the help of chamomile flowers and sage leaves, a tea can be made and offered to the child to drink.
Lukewarm drinks promote blood circulation in the throat, counteract drying of the mucous membranes and thus help to prevent hoarseness in the baby. Camomile and sage also have an anti-inflammatory effect. It is also important that the baby is gentle on the irritated vocal chords.
It should therefore not cry for a long time at a stretch and be soothed as much as possible. The air in the room should not be too dry, as this can dry out the mucous membranes and lead to hoarseness. Fresh and humid air is good for the baby’s irritated throat.
This can be achieved, for example, by airing the room regularly and taking the baby for walks. However, care should be taken to ensure that the baby is not lying in a draught and is dressed warmly. A few damp towels or other items of clothing that are hung in the child’s bedroom to dry also increase the humidity.
Often it also helps the baby to inhale. This is done with a bowl of hot water and a few essential oils dripping into it, which is placed next to the crib. However, the child should not be able to knock the bowl over or come into direct contact with hot steam and water.
Aconitum (blue wolfsbane), can be used not only for dental problems or sleeping disorders, but also for colds and hoarseness of the baby. To achieve a sufficient and long-term effect, the baby should take three pellets, three times a day, for about three weeks. The globulis can be offered to the baby using a plastic spoon.
Other homeopathic remedies that can be used if the baby is hoarse include For babies, three globules, three times a day is usually sufficient. In general, low potencies (D1-D6) are initially recommended for acute diseases.For more specific advice, a visit to a homeopath or pharmacy is recommended. However, if the baby is feverish, apathetic or has a weak drink, the advice of a pediatrician should be sought. Does your baby also get a fever? Then you should definitely read the following article: Homeopathy for three days of fever
- Allium cepa (Red onion)
- Aralia racemosa (rootstock)
- Spongia (sea sponge).
