How to cure a dry cough in children:
A dry cough is a very common problem in children. Causing great discomfort in children who usually manifest chest pain, throat irritation, and lack of rest due to this condition. Taking care of it on time is important to ensure the well-being of the child and prevent the cough from evolving into a more complex condition.
In principle, this pathology can be treated at home. However, when the cough lasts for more than a week it is advisable to see a doctor to rule out the presence of respiratory infections and other conditions. If you are looking for homemade solutions at the moment, keep reading, because at HowOrWhat.com we explain how to cure a dry cough in children with these recommendations.
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Steps you should take to cure a dry cough in children
Symptoms and when to visit a doctor if your child has a dry cough
Coughing is a reaction of our body that is unleashed when a foreign body obstructs the airways. The act of coughing allows the airways to be released and guarantee adequate breathing. The dry cough in children usually occurs after a cold or flu, but also because of the presence of allergies, respiratory diseases such as asthma, or constant exposure to irritants such as snuff, dust, or smoke.
The cough usually decreases and disappears after a few days. However, a sometimes dry cough can persist, making us consider going to a specialist. It is important to take your little one to the doctor when:
- The child coughs up blood or passes very green phlegm.
- Your child has trouble breathing.
- Spend more than a week with a cough.
- Your child has other symptoms like fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc.
- The child does not eat, is listless, and has lost weight.
- When it comes to a baby under one year old.
cure a dry cough in children with honey and lemon
If there is still no reason to be alarmed, then a good way to start curing a dry cough in children is by giving your little one a tablespoon of honey mixed with a few drops of lemon as a syrup. Honey helps soothe the throat, has antibacterial properties, and is ideal for strengthening the immune system, while lemon provides a good dose of vitamin C and helps fight infections, flu, and colds.
- Give this home remedy 3 times a day, the last taking should be before sleeping.
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Hot Bath
A hot bath is one of the best ways to combat cough and promote the expulsion of mucus lodged in the lungs. Steam is an excellent expectorant and if we combine it with a plant that helps to ensure respiratory health, such as eucalyptus, excellent results can be obtained.
If you have a bathtub, fill it with hot water, close the bathroom door and add 3 bay leaves. Then put the little one in the water and allow her to take a bath and enjoy the steam that is generated in the room, which together with the aroma of the laurel will help clear the airways. If you don’t have a bathtub, a good hot shower will also have a positive effect.
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Cure a dry cough in children using a vaporizer and eucalyptus essence
There are many home remedies for a dry cough that are highly effective, but your little one may not want to try them, so you have to opt for simpler alternatives. Putting a vaporizer at home and adding eucalyptus essence in it is a great way to combat a dry cough, prevent throat discomfort, and help heal this condition.
It is recommended to activate it when the little one is at home and place it in his room at night to reduce coughing episodes.
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Eucalyptus or bay leaves steam
The vapors of eucalyptus or laurel are an excellent option for curing dry cough in children, although many small do not feel comfortable with the idea of breathing steam from a pot for several minutes.
This remedy favors expectoration, cleaning the respiratory tract, and helping the little one feel better in a matter of minutes. To carry it out, place a liter of water in a pot, add two or three eucalyptus or bay leaves and bring to a boil, when it reaches the boiling point, leave it on the fire for 5 more minutes and then turn off and remove. Being very careful not to burn yourself, place the pot on a table and let your child sit nearby, wrap a towel around their head and let them breathe in the steam from the pot for 15 minutes.
It is important to keep an eye on the little one during the whole process to avoid burns with hot water.
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Other options that will help you cure a dry cough in children
- Administer at least 2 liters of water a day to the child, the liquid helps to eliminate mucus more easily, either through the nose or through expectoration.
- The mint infusion with a teaspoon of honey is also a good alternative, if the little one likes its taste you can administer 3 cups of this drink daily.
- During the nights the child must sleep lightly upright, in this way the coughing attacks will decrease and the little one will be able to rest better.
- Avoid the accumulation of agents at home that can increase the child’s cough, so it is recommended to ventilate your room and the whole house well and not smoke in the home.