Being a responsible parent means that you will have to deal with your son or daughter falling ill from time to time. While this can be scary, it’s important not to be intimidated by whatever’s going on, and act calmly. Because he or she is so young, it is up to you to decide what the best course of treatment is.
While the condition is often a non-threatening one, it can cause a great deal of discomfort. Thus, when this happens to your child, it’s important to be prepared for the situation and to know how to act. Here is an overview of the most common causes, as well as some toddler cough remedies that will speed up your little one’s recovery.
Common Causes
There can be multiple reasons behind your child’s lingering cough. They might have been exposed to irritants such as cigarette smoke or pollution, or it is possible that they inhaled a foreign object. If bits of food or a small toy has become lodged in their airways, you need to remove them yourself, or request medical assistance to prevent suffocation.
Allergies could also be the reason behind this manifestation. They are usually accompanied by itchiness, a runny nose, watery eyes, and even rashes or swelling in some areas. Depending on what triggers them, they can be seasonal allergies, food allergies, pet allergies and so on. To determine the motive, your infant’s doctor will run some tests.
Asthma is another possibility. If your son or daughter experiences a wheezing cough that is particularly intense during the night, you might want to consider this option. Of course, shortness of breath can also be caused by acid reflux, but in this case, it is accompanied by vomiting and a foul taste in the mouth.
Nevertheless, the most common cause of coughing among children is represented by viral infections, such as colds, croup, or the flu. This type of a cough is either dry or expectorant, and depending on the underlying cause, it will also sound different. The one linked to colds is hacking, while the croup causes a barking-like sound.
How to Treat
When considering treatment options for coughing, discussing the effectiveness of medicines such as syrup, drops, or hard candies is essential. Although these suppressant and expectorant formulas are marketed as being incredibly effective in this case, the reality is different. Several studies have proven that over the counter medication is not that efficient.
Of course, it can be used to alleviate symptoms, diminish throat soreness, and increase your child’s overall quality of life during the healing period. However, homemade remedies such as honey, lemon juice, or ginger can be used in the same way and provide similar results. What is more, they are far safer for children of all ages.
Cough syrup and hard candies are not recommended for toddler below the age of 4. Not only are they a choking hazard at this age, but the substances in their composition are also unsuitable for someone that young. Therefore, finding other solutions is in order. Ensuring that your son or daughter stays hydrated is one of them.
Give them plenty to drink, be it water, fruit juice, tea, or warm soup. This will keep the throat from becoming more inflamed, and it will help reduce mucus thickness as well. You can also use a humidifier to ensure that the air they inhale is moist and doesn’t aggravate the condition. If you don’t have one, running a hot shower is also an option.
If the cough is a dry one, or is caused by croup, inhaling cool air calms the airways and alleviates discomfort. Ensure that your house isn’t stuffy by opening the windows and letting the breeze in. In the case that this is not enough, you can also take your child on a drive. Contrary to popular belief, the cold isn’t a cause for illness. In this situation, it is actually a cure.
As previously mentioned, coughs are generally non-threatening. However, if your infant is younger than one month of age, has trouble breathing, has a high fever, or is coughing up blood, call an ambulance immediately. Similarly, if the symptoms aren’t going away or are getting worse, schedule an appointment with their doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Ensuring that their child stays in good health is every parent’s objective. If your little one has a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, try some of the treatment options presented above. If no progress is made, don’t be afraid to consult with a doctor. When it comes to medical conditions, an expert’s opinion is the most appropriate.
Melissa Bell
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