Coughs can be painful, annoying and seem to last forever. They're a common symptom of the common cold, and most children will be troubled by coughing at some point. If you're a parent, it's hard to watch your child going through the agony of a troubling cough, but over-the-counter cough suppressants may not be the best treatment option.
Considerations
A cough is your body's way of keeping your airway clear so you can breathe. When something irritates your throat or airway, MayoClinic.com explains that the nerves in your respiratory tract send a cough impulse to your brain. The brain then signals the muscles in your abdomen and diaphragm "to give a strong push of air to your lungs to try to expel the irritant."
Types of Cough Medicine
Cough medicines come in two basic varieties. Expectorants thin mucus to help a cough clear mucus from your airway. FamilyDoctor.org explains that antitussives are what we commonly call cough suppressants. They help to ease a cough by blocking the cough reflex. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, warns against using any cough medicine in children under the age of 4.
Misconceptions
Cough suppressants may help ease coughs in older children, but the FDA points out they won't cure a cough. They are just treat the symptom. The FDA issued a health advisory in 2008 that warns against the use of cough and cold products for children under the age of 2 because of possible serious side effects. It also supports a move by some drug makers to put warning labels on cough suppressants that tell parents not to use the products in children under the age of 4.
Alternatives
There are alternatives to over-the-counter cough suppressants for children. Make sure your children drink plenty of fluids. Liquids help to thin mucus and warm liquids help to soothe irritated throats. Use a vaporizer to help moisturize the air or let your children take a steamy bath or shower. If your children are old enough, let them suck on cough drops or hard candies. Don't give them to children under the age of 3. MayoClinic.com notes they can be choking hazard for youngsters.
Warning
MayoClinic.com reports that an occasional cough is normal. Coughs help the body by clearing foreign substances and secretions from the lungs and help prevent infection. However, a cough that continues for a long period of time may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires a trip to the doctor. Call your doctor if your child is coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm, wheezing, experiencing shortness of breath or running a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If your child is having difficulty breathing or swallowing or if your child is coughing up bloody or pink-tinged phlegm, seek emergency care.
