Coughing is a bodily reflex that actually protects tie internal components of the body, such as the throat, chest and airways, reports KidsHealth.org, a resource provided by the Nemours Foundation. A dry cough can be painful and sound terrible but it is rarely a sign of something serious. Child Health Guide explains that a dry cough may also be described as a hacking cough that can get worse during bedtime or when a child breathes in warm, dry air. This type of cough may be due to a cold or strain of influenza.
Fluids
Encouraging a child to drink fluids can keep the throat wet and help thin any mucus that may be draining as a result of the underlying cause of the illness. Allow the child to select beverages she finds most soothing. Carbonated, hot or very cold beverages may be uncomfortable when swallowed if there are other symptoms with the cough, such as a sore throat. Soup that is made with a clear broth can also be soothing.
Humidifier
Dry, warm air can actually irritate a sore throat or the lungs, making coughing worse. A cool mist humidifier used while a child is sleeping makes the air inhaled less irritating during an illness that causes a dry cough. This same effect can be created by allowing a child to sit in a bathroom while a hot shower is running. There are some additives that can be placed in the water of the humidifier or the shower to help open the airways, including eucalyptus or spearmint.
Croup Cough
A dry cough that sounds like a barking seal is the result of inflamed vocal cords says KidsHealth.org. If the outdoor air is cool and humid, taking a child outside can help reduce the coughing. The child can also inhale the cold vapors from an open refrigerator or freezer, says ChildHealthGuide.com.
OTC Medicines
Children under the age of three should not be given over-the-counter cold medications unless under the advice of a medical care provider. A cough-suppressant can be used to stop the body's reflex to cough if the child is over the age of three. It is important that this type of medicine not be used for a wet cough because it is important to allow the body to expel mucus if it is present.
