Coughing in Kids: Types and Home Remedies
Household Cures for Kids' Coughs: DIY Solutions for Parents
In this never-ending battle with childhood ailments, cough emerges as one of the most common foes. While it might make you feel uneasy as a concerned parent, remember an occasional hack isn't always cause for worry. Coughing is a protective reflex, keeping those airways in the throat and chest clean and healthy.
During the winter months, the cold air can dry out the tissues in your little one's throat, leading to irritation and increased likelihood of colds. Arming yourself with common cold prevention strategies and a few clever home remedies can help you conquer this unwanted visitor.
Understanding different types of coughs can guide you in deciding when it's best to use home remedies and when to consult your pediatrician.
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Dry cough
A dry cough, devoid of any mucus, may be a response to inhaling irritants like dust, smoke, or powder or could result from an allergy.
Whooping cough
Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is highly contagious and is a concern mainly for babies under 6 months, who haven't yet received their vaccinations, and older children, whose immunity might be waning. Marked by severe coughing spells that often end in a sharp intake of breath (or 'whoop'), this condition can take 7 - 10 days for symptoms to manifest. Initially, symptoms might seem like a common cold with a running nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes, and coughing. However, as time passes, the symptoms worsen.
Cough with wheezing
Coughing and wheezing are common in young children with chest infections. Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound while breathing, primarily occurring during exhalation when lower airway passages in the lungs narrow.
Night time cough
The presence of mucus pooling in the back of the throat while lying down can lead to irritation and coughing at night. Another contributing factor is acid reflux, an irritant to the throat much like mucus, germs, or dust. Frequent vomiting, especially following meals, choking, and wheezing are symptoms of acid reflux.
Cough with vomiting
A persistent cough can lead to repeated throat contractions, triggering the gag reflex and causing vomiting. Additionally, cold-stricken children might vomit if excessive mucus reaches their stomach, leading to nausea.
Home Remedies to Beat Cough at Home
Mint
Mint carries menthol, which acts as a decongestant, aiding in clearing up mucus. Brewing mint in water and inhaling the steam can help soothe the throat and open up airways for kids who are older. Another option is chamomile, which possesses similar properties and promotes sleep.
Carom seeds (Ajwain)
These seeds function as an expectorant, helping to expel mucus from the respiratory tract and acting as a decongestant to clear nasal passages. Boiling water that contains carom seeds and tulsi leaves and allowing your child to breathe in the steam can help reduce symptoms. This therapy should be performed under supervision, especially at bedtime.
Licorice (Mulethi)
Licorice has various health benefits; it is antioxidant-rich and aids in fighting off viruses and bacteria. Additionally, it serves as a remedy for dry coughs. Mixing a spoonful of licorice powder with honey in a glass of lukewarm water can provide relief to children with coughs.
Ginger
Known for its medicinal properties, ginger can alleviate a sore throat and may even soothe a dry cough due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Mix ginger powder or freshly squeezed ginger juice with roasted turmeric and honey to create an effective cough syrup for kids.
Honey
Honey, in small doses for children aged 1 and older, can act as a natural cough suppressant, coating the throat and easing irritation.
Garlic and Mustard Oil
Combining mustard oil with burnt garlic and applying it to your child's head, hands, feet, chest, and back can help combat cough and cold symptoms, as well as body aches.
Onion, Khus-Khus, and Honey for Cough Relief
Mix poppy seeds, onion pulp, fresh coconut milk, and honey to make a soothing syrup for children suffering from dry cough. Offer this twice daily, especially before bedtime.
Remember, always consult your child's pediatrician before implementing any new remedies, especially if your child has underlying health conditions.
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[1] Mayo Clinic. Cough in Children. Updated August 28, 2020. Link
[2] National Library of Medicine. Lemon, Honey, and Tea as a Sore Throat Remedy: ARandomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study. S Veis, V Naziri, M Sahebkar. July 2014. Link
[3] National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Honey. May 2018. Link
[4] University of Michigan Health. Cough. July 09, 2019. Link
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