Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of illness during childhood, according to the Nemours Foundation. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that occasional coughing is healthy and works to keep the airways and throat clear of mucus, but chronic, painful or severe coughing may indicate an underlying disease that requires evaluation and treatment.
Remedies for Acute Cough
Acute coughs begin suddenly and are generally caused by a cold, sinus infection or other viral infection. Acute coughs last for two weeks or less and can usually be treated at home, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, or AAAAI. Home treatment of acute cough includes increasing fluid intake to thin mucus in the throat and running a humidifier or vaporizer to loosen chest congestion and soothe dry throat.
Cough lozenges are helpful for tickling coughs, but they pose a risk of choking in children under the age of three years, and decongestants can help coughs associated with postnasal drip, a common symptom of sinus infections and colds. Cough suppressants or expectorants are available over the counter if your child's cough interferes with sleep or causes discomfort, but these medications should not be used in children under six years of age.
Remedies for Chronic Cough
Chronic or ongoing coughs may be related to asthma, sinusitis, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease, exposure to secondhand smoke, or a more serious lung disease. The AAAAI states that treatment for chronic coughing depends on the underlying cause, and that all coughs lasting longer than three weeks in children must be evaluated by a medical professional. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids open the airways and reduce inflammation to help coughing related to asthma.
Avoiding environmental irritants can ease coughing caused by second hand smoke or sinus problems, and reducing reflux can help heal throat irritation and stop coughs associated with gastrosophageal reflux disease. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that those suffering from allergic coughs may benefit from antihistamines or allergy shots.
Croup, Pertussis and Bacterial Infections
Coughing in children may also be caused by croup, a viral illness that triggers swelling in the trachea and larynx, or pertussis, a highly contagious bacterial infection. Treat these coughs with steam and fluids, and seek medical attention if your child has trouble breathing, runs a high fever, is under the age of three months, or does not improve after two weeks. Dr. Alan Greene states that steroids are effective at relieving the symptoms of croup. Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, generally begin as acute coughs but linger after the primary illness passes. A full course of antibiotics is necessary to treat coughs caused by bacterial infections.
Natural Remedies
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests honey for easing sore throat and alleviating coughing, but warns that honey should never be given to children under the age of one year. Peppermint and eucalyptus are beneficial for coughing caused by colds, as they work as a decongestant and expectorant and help thin mucus. Supplementation with bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapples that can reduce allergic swelling and inflammation, can help some coughs caused by allergies.
