Night coughs can be painful, and can also keep the coughing child and his parents up all night. Coughs may be dry and throaty, or they may be wet and chesty. They can last for days or weeks. Parents should report their child's persistent night cough to their pediatrician, as it may signal a more serious condition such as croup or upper respiratory infection. A pediatrician will help parents determine the proper course of treatment for their child.
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is available without a prescription, usually under drug name Robitussin, Triaminic or Vicks. Parents should not to give the drug to children under the age of 4. The National Institutes of Health warns parents that dextromethorphan may improve cough symptoms, but it will not treat the underlying cause or decrease recovery time. However, a 2004 "Pediatrics" study found dextromethorphan to be no more effective than placebo at controlling excessive night cough in children. In fact, children who were given dextromethorphan tended to suffer from insomnia as a side effect.
Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine is another over-the-counter drug, most commonly known as Benadryl. Children under 4 can take diphenhydramine, but parents should use extreme caution and report any unusual side effects to their pediatricians immediately. As with dextromethorphan, the NIH warns parents that diphenhydramine will treat the symptoms of a cough, but not its cause. The same "Pediatrics" study that found dextromethorphan to be an ineffective treatment for night cough in children found the same to be true for diphenhydramine. Children who were given diphenhydramine reported increased drowsiness more than any other symptom.
Herbs
Alternative health magazine "Natural Solutions" recommends several herbs for nighttime cough relief. Mullein, sage and thyme are listed effective as teas. A couple drops of eucalyptus, sage, or peppermint essential oils blended with a neutral carrier oil, such as olive or sweet almond oil, rubbed on the chest before bed may also help clear mucus from the lungs.
Honey
Honey has long been touted as a safe remedy for cough and congestion for children over the age of one. A 2007 "Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine" study found honey to be more effective at soothing children's coughs than traditional cough medicine. "Natural Solutions" recommends blending honey with slippery elm bark, which acts as an expectorant.
References
- "Pediatrics"; Effect of Dextromethorphan, Diphenhydramine, and Placebo on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents; I. Paul, MD, Msc, K. Yoder, K. Crowell, MD; July 2004
- National Institutes of Health: Dextromethorphan
- National Institutes of Health: Diphenhydramine
- Natural Solutions: Alternatives for Kids
- Natural Solutions: Keep Kids Healthy Naturally
