Child's Cough: Is No Medicine the Best Medicine?

Child’s Cough: Is No Medicine the Best Medicine?

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/best-medicine-childs-cough.html

Nov 13, 2019

Cedars-Sinai Staff

What should I use instead of medication?

In the absence of medication, most pediatricians suggest supportive care to help kids weather coughs and other cold symptoms.

Because cough and sore throat result from postnasal drip, clearing out your child’s sinuses is the first step. Top remedies include:

1. Steamy showers: One way to loosen up phlegm is to stand in a steamy shower for 10 minutes. If your child has a barking, croup-like cough, have them step into cold air after the steam. “For whatever reason, that 1-2 punch of steam followed by cold air tends to quiet down the cough,” Dr. Phillips says.
2. Saline nasal drops or sprays: Saline helps flush the nasal cavity of the icky stuff that causes cough. It also helps moisturize the nasal passages, which can ease sore throats.
3. Nasal aspirators: For children who can’t blow their own noses, nasal aspirators can help you clear out their nasal passages so they can breathe a little easier. The process eliminates excess mucus from stuffy nasal passages and helps eliminate cough irritants in the process.
4. Humidifiers: Cool-mist humidifiers disperse moisture into the air, which can help loosen mucus and relieve swollen throats. Choose cool mist instead of hot water or steam to prevent a child from getting burned.
5. Prop your child’s head up: When kids lie flat, mucus can build up in the sinuses, where it can clog nasal passages and interfere with restful slumber. You can help relieve the pressure by propping up your child’s head with a pillow to decrease blood flow to the nose.

And the sore throat that comes with a cough?

Sucking on a popsicle can help relieve a scratchy throat. Older children can try low-sugar cough drops.