Everyone at least once in their life has wondered how to quickly cure a cough at home. Adults have no time to get sick, but when a child starts coughing, you want to cure him as soon as possible. Is it possible to get rid of a cough in a few hours, and is it worth doing?
We have collected for you all the necessary information on how to quickly, effectively and without complications cure a cough at home. We don’t promise it in 2 hours, but the result is guaranteed.
Causes and types of cough
The most important thing to remember about coughing once and for all is that it is not a disease. The phenomenon itself occurs due to irritation of receptors on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. They send nerve impulses to the brain, reporting the appearance of a foreign substance in the bronchi or lungs, and the center sends a signal to the muscles to contract and push out the uninvited guests.
Thus, cough is only a symptom of one of many possible diseases. Possible causes of cough include:
- Respiratory infections caused by bacteria or viruses (colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, tuberculosis, etc.)
- Allergies or diseases of infectious-allergic origin (asthma)
- Contact with chemical or mechanical irritants (dust, smoke, smell of paint, gasoline, etc.)
- Neoplasms in the respiratory system
- Other illnesses that cause coughing (eg, whooping cough)
In everyday life, we most often encounter such causes of cough as colds and flu.
Bronchitis or pneumonia can occur as complications of these diseases if the course is neglected and the prescribed treatment regimen is not followed. It is worth noting that only a doctor can accurately determine the cause of a cough.
Do not self-medicate and first consult with a therapist or pediatrician (depending on who is sick).
Advice: try to treat the root cause, and not the cough in isolation. Relieving acute symptoms can only hide the disease and provoke complications.
It is worth distinguishing not only the genesis of cough, but also its variety. A dry cough, also called a “nonproductive cough,” is concentrated primarily in the upper respiratory tract.
With it, as the name suggests, there is no secretion of sputum. This is its main difference from the wet, “productive” type of cough, which is concentrated in the lower part of the respiratory system.
Often (but not necessarily) a dry cough turns into a wet cough as the disease develops.
It is important to correctly determine the cause of cough
Different techniques are used to treat these types of cough. With dry skin, the main task is to soften and moisturize the mucous membrane to relieve irritation and relieve the urge to cough.
With wet coughing, it is necessary to facilitate coughing by thinning the sputum and stop the formation of new sputum, getting rid of the cause of the disease.
Drugs that soothe irritation of the mucous membrane are used last in this case, since weakening the cough in the presence of sputum can provoke serious complications.
Different remedies have different effectiveness, and therefore not all are equally suitable for treating adults and children. First, let's talk about how to quickly cure an adult's cough at home.
Advice: be prepared for the fact that in 2 hours you can relieve the most acute manifestations, but you will have to fight the cause of the disease a little longer.
10+ ways to cure cough in adults
Resorting to pharmaceutical medications without a doctor’s recommendations for symptomatic self-treatment can be extremely dangerous. We remind you: do not self-medicate or take pills unless you have received a prescription from your doctor! At home, it is better to use gentle natural remedies.
We have collected the most effective ways to get rid of cough
Before starting any therapy, make sure that the room you are in has sufficient humidity (at least 70%).
During the seasons when the likelihood of catching a cold or flu with a cough is highest, our apartments have heating that dries out the air, which further irritates the mucous membranes and aggravates the cough. In addition, you yourself should drink plenty of fluids.
No drug thins phlegm better than your own body, but for this you must help it and supply it with the necessary resources.
The above two points are required for effective treatment: only with sufficient humidity and plenty of fluids will all other remedies work quickly - literally in 2 hours. Therefore, only by creating the necessary home conditions can you begin a comprehensive fight against dry cough. We will tell you how you can cure it.
Teas and decoctions for coughs
To soften and moisturize a dry cough, you should drink a warm decoction of the following ingredients daily:
- Ten grams of green mustache leaves
- Ten grams of buckwheat flowers
Pour half a liter of boiling water over the herbs and let it brew for thirty to forty minutes.
No less useful is a decoction of raisins. Pour one hundred grams of raisins into a liter of water and cook for thirty minutes over low heat. Then let it cool, take it out and squeeze it out. The remaining liquid should be taken three times a day, half a glass.
Ginger, lemon and honey cope well with the disease
Ginger tea is considered one of the most effective remedies for dry cough. To prepare it we will need:
- Fifty grams of fresh ginger root
- A third of a lemon
- Two tablespoons of honey
Chop the ginger and lemon, add water and simmer over low heat. When the broth becomes hot, add honey and bring to a boil. You need to drink this tea warm, two to three times a day.
Inhalations to relieve dry cough
Inhalation is considered one of the most effective methods of treating cough. The procedure is not very pleasant, but it helps to make the cough “productive” in two or three sessions. A decoction for inhalation is prepared according to a simple recipe:
- Pour two tablespoons of coltsfoot, sage or thyme into the pan
- Add two drops of menthol or eucalyptus essential oil
- Fill with boiling water
Then you should place the pan on a low stool or any comfortable surface near which you can sit. Take a large towel, cover your head and pan with it and breathe through your mouth for at least ten minutes.
In case of inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract or in the tracheal area, inhalations will need to be done two to three times a day. For the decoction you need to take:
- A tablespoon each of thyme, chamomile, coltsfoot and sage
- Two tablespoons of baking soda
- Two drops of eucalyptus oil
Tip: for inhalation you can use any herbs that have an expectorant effect.
Don't forget about the healing power of herbal infusions
Compresses for adults
It is generally accepted that compresses are used only to treat children’s coughs, but adults should also not forget about this effective method. For the compress we will need:
- Fifty milliliters of vodka or medical alcohol
- Thirty centimeters of gauze
- A sheet of parchment or a warm handkerchief
We moisten the gauze with vodka, place it on the chest in the bronchi area, and cover the top with parchment. The patient should be covered with a blanket and left with a compress for half an hour. Repeat the procedure every other day.
If you don’t want to lie with gauze, as an alternative, you can mix five milliliters of ammonia with ten milliliters of sunflower oil and rub it into your chest instead of ointment. But do not forget that ammonia has a rather pungent unpleasant odor.
Other remedies for dry cough
There are several other remedies that will help cure dry cough in an adult. We will tell you how to prepare them at home quickly and inexpensively.
Take two or three peeled cloves of garlic, two tablespoons of honey. Chop the garlic and mix the ingredients. Take one teaspoon twice a day, the dosage schedule is two days after one.
Turmeric milk is also an excellent remedy.
If you love turmeric, you can take the ground powder of the dried root of this plant and take three grams twice a day.
For those who love nuts, there is also a good recipe:
- Soak seven kernels of peeled almonds in cold water overnight
- Grind nuts in a mortar
- Add a teaspoon each of sugar and butter
- Take twice a day
Those with a sweet tooth will love ginger tincture made from the following ingredients:
- Fifty grams of ginger root
- Teaspoon lemon juice
- Half a teaspoon of honey
- Half a glass of boiling water
Peel and grate the root on a fine grater. Mix a teaspoon of ginger juice with lemon juice, add honey. Pour boiling water over the mixture and let it brew under the lid for fifteen minutes. You need to take the medicine one teaspoon every thirty minutes.
Advice: the ginger mixture should not be swallowed immediately; you need to hold it in your mouth for several seconds to enhance the effect.
Optimal methods of treating cough in children
When a child starts coughing, it is always a big problem for parents. The younger the baby is, the more difficult it is for him to cope, because the disease does not go away in 2 hours.
But there are ways to treat this symptom at home without resorting to medications. Remember that the treatment of children's cough must be comprehensive, so you should combine warming, mixtures and warm drinks.
All procedures must be carried out only with the approval of the treating pediatrician.
Using simple and effective methods you can cure a child’s cough
Warm drink for children
If a child is over 5 years old, he can quickly be cured of a cough with healthy drinks. They are easy to prepare at home from ingredients available on hand, and should be consumed no more than three times a day.
The first recipe will help alleviate attacks of severe dry cough. To prepare, take one tablespoon of dried calamus roots and one and a half cups of boiling water. Let it brew for ten minutes. Drink two-thirds of a glass half an hour before meals.
For severe colds or whooping cough, milk with figs is a great help. Boil six dried figs in half a liter of milk (until the liquid boils). Give a glass before bedtime.
Milk with mineral water is considered a rather unusual but effective remedy. Mix half a glass of hot boiled milk with the same amount of cool mineral water.
Advice: if a child categorically refuses to drink such a drink, you can replace the mineral water with one teaspoon of linden or any other flower honey.
Children's cough syrups
If the child is 2 years old or a little older, it is better to use mixtures to eliminate the cough. At home, you can quickly prepare various compositions that will help cure your baby. We will show you how to make the most effective remedies.
A unique homemade mixture can be prepared from honey and carrot juice.
Those who have a juicer at home can prepare a healthy mixture for their child. We peel large carrots, make juice from it, add a little honey to it. You need to give your baby a tablespoon of medicine four times a day.
Black radish is very useful for coughs. It quickly relieves symptoms and saturates the body with vitamins. Peel one or two medium-sized radishes, cut into small cubes, place in a baking dish and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake the vegetable for about two hours at medium temperature. It is important to ensure that the radish does not burn and the liquid does not evaporate. When the vegetable is ready, pour the resulting syrup into a large cup or any other container convenient for storage.
Give two teaspoons three times a day.
The anise mixture, known for a long time, is even easier to prepare:
- Boil one and a half glasses of milk
- Add a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of salt
- Add two tablespoons of anise seeds to the liquid.
- Bring to a boil and strain
The child should be given one tablespoon every three hours.
A very tasty medicine is prepared from one hundred grams of butter, the same amount of honey and a pinch of vanilla sugar. Mix the ingredients and give the child one teaspoon after meals.
Of course, the top spot in this list of benefits should be given to the combination of honey and lemon. It will help to quickly cure not only dry, but also wet cough.
If a child has a severe night cough, then take one teaspoon before bed and in the middle of the night.
When treating dry cough at home, you need to take six tablespoons of medicine per day, gradually reducing the number of doses. List of ingredients for the mixture:
- Medium lemon
- Two tablespoons of glycerin
- About one hundred grams of liquid honey
Place the lemon in a small saucepan, add a little water and cook for about ten minutes until soft. Wait for the lemon to cool, then cut it in half and squeeze the juice into a short glass. Add glycerin, and then add honey to the top of the glass. The product must be shaken before use.
Tip: instead of lemon, you can use non-concentrated apple cider vinegar, but then the medicine will be less tasty.
Means for warming the bronchi and lungs
If your child has a severe dry cough, compresses must be given to the child. As a rule, once a day is enough - at night. You can combine them with rubbing with warming ointments.
In addition to proper drinking, do not forget about compresses and rubbing
To prepare a mustard compress you will need the following ingredients:
- Two teaspoons of honey
- A tablespoon of mustard powder and flour
- A dessert spoon of vodka and vegetable oil
Mix everything in a shallow bowl and form two small cakes from the resulting mass. We wrap them in single-layer gauze, place them on the child’s back and chest, and wrap them around the body with a bandage. Then we wrap the baby in a warm blanket and leave it overnight.
If you don’t have mustard at home, but have potatoes, you can make an equally effective compress. Its recipe:
- Boil four or five small potato tubers with skins
- Drain the water from the saucepan and transfer the hot potatoes into a thick plastic bag
- Add two teaspoons of vegetable oil and tie tightly
- Press down the potatoes in the bag with light movements
- Cover the baby's chest with a thin towel and place a bag of potatoes on top
Tip: make sure the bag is not too hot, as potatoes retain heat for a long time and can burn delicate skin. And do not keep already cooled potatoes on your baby's chest - they are a source of moisture.
The easiest way to warm up the bronchi is with a salt heating pad. To make it, you need to heat about two hundred grams of rock salt in a frying pan, and then pour it into two clean, warm socks. Socks are applied to the child's chest and back for twenty to thirty minutes. After warming up, it is advisable to wrap the little patient in a blanket and send him to bed.
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How to cure a child's cough at home
The answer to the question of how to cure a child’s cough at home depends on the cause of its occurrence. Each disease that causes this symptom requires a special approach. For this reason, you should not self-medicate; it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
In most cases, diseases that are accompanied by coughing attacks can be treated at home under the supervision of the attending physician; only in rare cases does the patient require hospitalization in a hospital. In children, such cases include pneumonia, stenosing laryngotracheitis, and severe forms of bronchitis.
In most cases, cough in children can be treated at home, but it must be monitored by a doctor.
What helps a child’s cough at home?
Parents often ask how to quickly treat a child’s cough at home. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to provide the child with conditions that would contribute to the speedy resolution of the pathology. The following measures serve this purpose:
- It is necessary to humidify the air in the room where the child is. In a humid climate, this can be done by frequent ventilation; in a dry climate, using a special device (automatic air humidifier). During the heating season, it is recommended to hang wet towels on the radiators and place several containers of water in the room.
- The room should be regularly ventilated and wet cleaned daily.
- If the baby’s condition allows (if the temperature is not elevated), you should walk with him in the fresh air.
- During illness, exclude from the diet foods that can irritate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
- Provide the child with plenty of fluids, this promotes better sputum discharge.
Drug therapy
For cough medications, depending on the existing clinical signs, expectorants, mucolytics, bronchodilators, antitussives, antipyretics, anti-infectives, and antihistamines can be prescribed.
Preferred drugs are in the form of syrup and inhalation. A young child is not usually given lozenges or lozenges because he or she may swallow or inhale the medicine.
Any medications should be prescribed by a doctor, since their use without taking into account indications can lead to the opposite effect, and a combination of some of them (for example, central antitussives and expectorants) can also have a negative effect.
Inhalations
Inhalations have high antitussive effectiveness, since they allow the active substance to be delivered directly to the area of inflammation. For children, inhalation using a nebulizer is preferable. They are carried out using alkaline mineral water, saline or medicinal solutions. The drug, its dose and frequency of the procedure are prescribed by the doctor.
Inhalation using a nebulizer is one of the most effective methods of treating cough.
Steam inhalations in children are undesirable, and they are also ineffective.
Home physiotherapy
In children with some diseases of the respiratory tract, percussion massage is used, which allows for better removal of sputum, and breathing exercises, which promote rapid tissue regeneration.
Traditional methods of treatment
Treatment of cough in a child at home is often carried out using traditional medicine.
Traditional therapy cannot replace primary treatment, but can be an effective addition to it.
Parents should know that, contrary to existing opinion, such treatment is not absolutely safe, therefore, just like any other, it requires mandatory consultation with a doctor.
Phytotherapy
Of the medicinal plants that have an antitussive effect:
- peppermint;
- plantain;
- chamomile;
- linden flowers;
- clover;
- sage;
- eucalyptus;
- pine buds.
Decoctions and infusions can be made from plant materials and used for inhalation.
For example, a popular cough remedy for children over 7 years of age is an infusion of marshmallow, coltsfoot and oregano (in a ratio of 2:2:1). Pour 2 tablespoons of the dry mixture into a thermos, pour 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 4 hours. Take ¼ cup 2 times a day.
Milk-based products
The most popular home remedies include milk-based remedies, which reduce irritation of the mucous membranes of the larynx and help thin and remove mucus. To make medicinal mixtures, you can use cow, goat or other milk with a fat content of at least 2.6%.
- Hot milk with honey. Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey to a glass of milk heated to a temperature of 40 °C; you can also dissolve the same amount of butter in the drink. It is recommended to drink warm milk throughout the day and drink it before bed, which will help get rid of coughing attacks at night.
- Milk with mineral water. Helps with coughs and sore throats, promotes the removal of bronchial mucus. To prepare the drink, mix warm milk and alkaline mineral water like Borjomi in equal parts. Mineral water must first be degassed.
- Milk with figs. It has a diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory effect. To prepare the medicine, dark purple or black figs are used. 2-4 pieces of fresh figs are poured with a glass of milk, brought to a boil, kept on the fire for several minutes and cooled. Before use, dried figs can be poured with cold milk and left for 30 minutes, then brought to a boil and left for another 20 minutes. Consume 100 ml warm 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Milk with butter. Helps relieve a cough attack. To prepare it, dissolve a teaspoon of high quality butter in a glass of warm milk. It is recommended to drink the product before going to bed.
- Milk with cocoa butter . The product helps against dry cough. To prepare the medicine, you need to dissolve 0.5 teaspoon of cocoa butter in a glass of hot milk, cool the product a little and give it to the patient.
- Milk with onions . Boil 2 small onions in a glass of milk until softened. After this, the liquid is infused for 4 hours, filtered and given to the patient a tablespoon every 3 hours.
- Milk with ginger. To prepare this drink, grated ginger root (3-4 cm long) and 2 tablespoons of green tea are poured into 1.5 liters of milk, brought to a boil, removed from heat and left for about 30 minutes. The product is taken in small sips several times a day.
Homemade Black Radish Remedies
Products containing black radish juice have an expectorant effect and are often used for diseases of the respiratory system in children. There are several recipes.
- Add a small amount of sugar to black radish juice obtained by any available method. Take 1 teaspoon 4-6 times a day.
- Wash the radish thoroughly, cut off the top and cut out some of the pulp. Honey is placed in the resulting depression, leaving room for the juice to be released. The top is put in place, the radish is left for several hours. The finished product is taken a teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
- Grind the black radish using a grater, squeeze out the juice and mix it with liquid honey in a 1:1 ratio.
- Cut the radish into slices, place in layers in a suitable container, sprinkling each layer with sugar and leave for several hours to release the juice, which is then poured into a storage container. The product is consumed 1 teaspoon several times a day.
Preparations based on black radish are considered very effective for cough attacks.
Warming compresses
For some diseases that are accompanied by a cough (not all!), you can use warm compresses. Rules for their use:
- When treating children, the compress is placed either on the chest or on the back in one procedure. The placement location can be alternated every other day.
- The compress should not be applied to the area of the heart and kidneys.
- If the child experiences discomfort during the procedure, the procedure is stopped immediately.
- If, after removing the compress, severe redness of the skin, allergies or other complications are observed, you should stop using this method and seek medical help.
Contraindications to the use of compresses are the presence of allergies, skin diseases, and fever. The method is not used to treat children in the first year of life.
- Potato compress . Boil the potatoes without peeling, mash, add two teaspoons of any vegetable oil to the mixture, form into a flat cake and place on the chest or back, then wrap the baby in a blanket. Keep the compress until the potatoes cool.
- Mustard and radish compress for older children (after 10 years). Mix 50 g of dry mustard, 50 ml of radish juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2.5 glasses of water, soak a towel in the mixture, apply to the body, cover with cellophane and a woolen scarf. The procedure takes no more than 10 minutes. After removing the compress, the skin should be wiped dry, and the patient should be wrapped in a blanket.
- Honey compress . Apply honey to the chest of a sick child, cover with parchment and wrap the patient. The procedure is recommended to be carried out within 30 minutes. After this, the honey should be wiped off with a damp cloth; the affected area can be lubricated with a small amount of vegetable oil.
- Compress with salt solution . 90 g of table salt are dissolved in 1 liter of heated water. Cotton fabric is folded in several layers, moistened in a solution, wrung out and applied to the body. Action time: until cooled (10-20 minutes).
- Compress with mustard. Mix 1 tablespoon of mustard powder, flour, vegetable oil and honey, form a cake, place it on the body and keep for several hours. If the patient complains of a strong burning sensation, the procedure should be stopped.
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Using visceral fat to treat coughs
Traditionally, products are used based on visceral fat, which is credited with a particularly powerful antitussive effect. Modern doctors do not share this opinion. A few recipes below are provided for informational purposes.
- Badger fat is used for rubbing, and children from 12 years of age are allowed to take 1 teaspoon per day orally (sometimes the fat is added to tea or milk). For rubbing, you can use any other internal fat; badger fat has no advantage.
- Goat fat is used for rubbing. Take a mixture of equal parts of fat and honey. They also use a product for the preparation of which add 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon each of goat fat and honey, and a pinch of sugar to 1 glass of warm milk. The mixture is consumed up to 3 times a day.
- Goose fat . Boil one lemon in a small amount of water for 10 minutes, allow to cool, peel and squeeze the juice into the decoction. Add 2 tablespoons of goose fat to the liquid. The medicine is given to the patient 1 tablespoon before meals.
- Pork fat . 200 g of melted pork fat is mixed with the same amount of liquid honey, 100 g of butter, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. The product is given to the patient 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day, adding the mixture to a glass of warm milk.
Rubbing is not used at elevated body temperatures.
Various fat rubs are popular for coughs, but their therapeutic effect is questionable
Types of cough
Cough is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical help. If the cough is not treated properly, it can bother the patient for a long time, and the pathological process will progress. The table shows the main types of cough depending on duration.
In addition, depending on the presence or absence of sputum, the cough can be dry or moist (wet).
Causes and risk factors
The most common causes of cough include respiratory infections, as well as inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system (laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, etc.). Cough attacks can be observed in patients with bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, cancer of the respiratory tract, and whooping cough.
Cough may be accompanied by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pathologies of the thyroid gland, cardiovascular system, and helminthic infestations. Teenagers may experience a psychosomatic cough caused by stress or severe anxiety.
This symptom can also be observed with:
- presence of an allergic reaction;
- hypothermia of the body;
- inhalation of cigarette smoke, dusty or too dry air, chemicals;
- foreign bodies entering the respiratory tract.
Young babies may cough when teething or when swallowing large amounts of breast milk during feeding.
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Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 “First Kiev Medical College”, specialty “Laboratory diagnostics”.
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Cough in a child: how to treat it at home
If you hear a child coughing, do not rush to sound the alarm. This does not always indicate a cold or illness. The culprit may be too dry air in the room, dust. This is a philological type of cough - when the throat is exposed to irritants.
You need to adjust the humidity level and do not forget about wet cleaning. If you are sure that this is not the reason, then you need to start treatment.
In the cold season, children cough more often, but before treating it at home, you need to see a doctor.
Causes of cough in a child
A cough is a symptom that signals a problem. Many diseases are accompanied by a cough, so the symptoms may overlap. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prevent complications. Most often, children cough due to infectious or viral diseases. It is easy to become infected in kindergarten, school, or from peers in the yard. Hypothermia may also be the cause. It is necessary to control that the child dresses according to the season, but not to “bundle him” in 100 sweaters. “Greenhouse” children often get sick due to weak immunity. Typically, diseases are accompanied by a runny nose and fever. The child may have a headache and muscle pain, and his eyes water when exposed to light. If the serious condition is not caused by external irritants, then this means a pathological type of cough.
Common causes of cough in a child:
- Viral diseases: ARVI, flu, colds;
- Allergies are often combined with lacrimation and profuse runny nose. Erroneously, can be confused with a cold;
- Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, inflammatory processes of the pharyngeal mucosa;
- Foreign object in the body;
- Parasites;
- Diseases of internal organs. Cough can be observed with heart disease.
Below we describe how to treat cough in children at home, depending on the type of cough and the age of the child.
Cough remedies for children
When choosing cough medicines for children, consider the age and type of cough. Only some preparations are suitable for both types: wet and dry. Be sure to consult your pediatrician before purchasing. Check out the contraindications. After the first dose, observe how the baby reacts to the drug. Baby doesn't want to take pills? You can try the syrup form, many children love them because of their pleasant smell and sweet taste. The main condition is that he is suitable in age. Don't forget to explain to your child that this is not a treat. Otherwise, there will be trouble if the baby gets into the family medicine cabinet. Self-treatment with antibiotics is unacceptable. They can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist. Treatment with traditional methods is acceptable, but they are more likely to be a supplement.
Please note that lozenges can be given from 5 years of age. For example, Strepsils has released a special series for children aged 5 and 6 years. These tablets do not contain sugar. The main thing is to give them under supervision so that the child does not choke.
Lozenges do not cure coughs, but they relieve symptoms and destroy infection. Cough drops are recommended from 12 years of age.
Although they look like candies, they remain a medicine, which means you need to follow the instructions.
Table from the pharmacist. Cough remedies for children by age.
Age | Dry cough | Wet cough |
Up to 1 year | Drops Sinekod, Clenbuterol, Stodal | Stodal, Ambroxol |
From 1 to 2 years | Omnitus, Fluditek | Codelac broncho, ACC, Lazolvan, Travisil. |
From 3 to 6 years | Rengalin. Syrups: Codelac Neo, ACC, Ascoril, Doctor Mom | Rengalin |
Before use, consult a specialist.
Wet cough in a child: how to treat it
In addition to the medications from the pharmacist's table, you can use additional tips.
When a child has a wet cough, what can be treated, except for medications:
- Sometimes the cause of a wet cough may not be sputum from the bronchi, but nasal secretions. It flows down the nasopharynx and the natural cleansing process starts - coughing. Before going to bed and after waking up, rinse your little patient’s nose with saline solution. How to prepare a physiological (saline) solution is described in this article. This will help clear the nasopharynx.
- Herbal teas: thyme, chamomile, St. John's wort, coltsfoot.
- Milk with honey. Only the milk should not be hot, but warm. When choosing how to treat a wet cough in a child, don’t make a mistake. Cough cannot be treated with boiling water. It burns your throat.
- Perform a percussion massage, but only if the baby does not have a fever. You can perform it while the baby is sitting or lying down. Lightly tap your fingers in the area of the shoulder blade just below. This way you work on the lungs, but from the back. Massage makes the expectoration process easier.
- When your child is sick, you should not give up going for walks and keep him strictly in bed under two blankets. It thins mucus and makes it easier to clear by walking in the fresh air. Make sure your child does not have a fever. If your baby's cough gets worse during a walk, this is normal. While walking, blood supply to the bronchi improves. This “starts” the work of the secretory glands, and sputum begins to come out stronger, but easier. The body is cleansed.
- You can use warming ointments based on essential oils. Rub it on your upper back. This will increase blood flow and mucus discharge. Ointments have a persistent odor that will help relieve a runny nose and even calm the nervous system. It will be easier for the baby to fall asleep. Check that your child does not have any allergies or asthma.
- Raise the pillow higher.
If a child has a dry cough: how to treat it
This type of cough is also called “unproductive” - it is worse than wet cough.
After all, the bronchi cleanse themselves. A barking cough tears the throat, and capillaries may burst. It happens both with colds and with whooping cough, problems with the esophagus. You already know how to treat a dry cough in a child from the table above. It is correct to transfer it to wet. It is not recommended to use drugs that suppress coughing attacks. The bronchi must be cleansed, otherwise there will be complications. Only a doctor can prescribe medications that stop coughing. What to treat a dry cough in a child besides medications:
- Special breathing exercises;
- Massage;
- Warming compresses, warming ointments, badger fat. They rub the back in the area of the shoulder blades and below, as well as the chest. Due to the warming effect, blood flow increases, which activates the function of the secretory glands. Provokes the discharge of sputum;
- Herbal teas from herbal decoctions: wild rosemary, mint, thyme,
- Radish juice + honey. Mix in proportion 1/1. Give a teaspoon twice a day.
- Honey, for children under 5 years old, half a teaspoon per day. This is a natural remedy that destroys germs. It is important that the child does not have allergies.
Please note that this type of cough may indicate that the child has inhaled a foreign object. Ask your child if there is any cause for concern.
Adviсe:
- Watch your diet. Dishes should be easily digestible. If the baby refuses to eat the entire portion, then don’t force it. He feels his body better and understands that his stomach cannot cope now;
- Walking if there is no fever;
- The humidity level in the room is at least 60%;
- The room temperature is about 20°C;
- More rest and sleep;
- Systematically ventilate the children's room;
- Inhalations. You can use a nebulizer, steam inhalers. If it is not there, then breathe over a hot pan under a towel.
- Let's drink more. Water removes infection and helps cope with fever. Suitable options: fruit drinks, still water.
Source: https://imom.me/chem-lechit-kashel-u-detej-v-domashnix-usloviyax/
Treating cough at home - 10+ best techniques for adults and children
How to quickly cure a cough at home? In winter, this issue becomes especially relevant, because both adults and children can get sick. Although new remedies that are advertised everywhere promise to cure us of illness in just a few hours, in reality they are not always effective, and it is better to turn to time-tested folk recipes.
Causes of cough and its types
Coughing in itself is not a disease - it is an unconditioned reflex, the task of which lies in cleansing the respiratory tract of foreign substances and preventing mechanical obstacles that disrupt the patency of the airways.
As a symptom, it can accompany many diseases, including allergies, various types of acute respiratory infections, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, influenza, whooping cough.
A medical specialist can determine the exact cause, so you should not self-medicate, especially with a lingering cough.
Based on the nature and amount of cough discharge, it is divided into dry and wet. A dry cough is called “non-productive” because it does not produce sputum. With a wet cough, discharge, on the contrary, is observed. These types of cough need to be treated in different ways: in the first case, it is necessary to soften and moisturize the mucous membrane, in the second, to thin the mucus. Let's figure out how to do this.
An important rule: before starting treatment, make sure that there is sufficient humidity in your apartment - dry air will irritate the mucous membranes and interfere with recovery!
Honey for the treatment of cough in adults and children
Honey is a time-tested remedy for sore throats.
It can also relieve coughs in children and adults, and is more effective than medications containing dextromethorphan, the main cough suppressant, according to one study.
And although the advantages of honey over dextromethorphan are quite small, parents of children prefer this natural product to drugs from the pharmacy. But remember: honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age.
Honey-lemon tea for adults and children
To prepare this cough remedy, mix 2 teaspoons of honey with warm water or herbal tea. Drink the mixture once or twice a day. Honey will soothe your throat, and lemon juice will help clear phlegm. You can also simply eat honey by spreading it on bread.
Honey and carrot juice mixture for children
Treatment of cough in children requires an integrated approach, so combine several methods after consulting with your pediatrician. To prepare the mixture you will need 1 large carrot and 1 teaspoon of honey. Peel and juice the root vegetable, then add honey. Give the mixture to your child 1 tablespoon four times a day.
Garlic and honey for adults
Another effective remedy is made from garlic and honey. True, you should only use it when you are at home. So, you will need 2-3 peeled cloves of garlic and 2 tablespoons of honey. Grind the garlic in a blender or garlic press and then mix it with honey. Take 1 teaspoon of the mixture twice a day, every other day, and you will soon notice improvements.
Pineapple juice for treating cough in adults and children
It's unlikely you've ever thought of pineapple as a cough medicine, but it really does help.
And all because the stem and fruits of this plant contain bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties that suppresses cough and also thins phlegm.
It is believed that this enzyme may help relieve symptoms of sinusitis and sinus inflammation caused by infection or allergic reaction, but there is little evidence to support this.
To get the most benefits from pineapple, eat a piece of fresh fruit or drink 300 ml of freshly squeezed pineapple juice throughout the day. The same method can be used to prevent diseases.
Bromelain should not be used by children or adults taking blood thinners.
Also, be careful with bromelain if you are taking antibiotics such as amoxicillin, as it may increase absorption.
Peppermint for treating coughs in adults and children
Peppermint leaves are known for their healing properties. The menthol in mint soothes the throat and acts as a decongestant, helping to clear phlegm.
You can brew mint tea or inhale its vapors by preparing an inhalation steam bath. To do this, add 3 or 4 drops of peppermint essential oil to every 150 ml of hot water.
Cover your head with a towel and take deep breaths into the rising steam.
Anise for the treatment of cough in adults and children
Star anise is rich in antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and reduce the risk of immunosuppression. Vitamins A and C, which this plant contains, effectively cope with sore throats or colds. Well, the antifungal and antibacterial properties of star anise will save you from the flu and other viral infections that are common during the cold season.
Anise tea for adults
If you suffer from a sore throat or severe cough, drink star anise tea.
Add 2 seed pods to a cup of boiling water, let the mixture steep for at least 15 minutes, then strain the drink.
You can also add a few drops of honey or lemon juice to the tea to enhance its flavor. Drink this decoction three times a day to boost your immunity and prevent coughs and colds.
Anise mixture for children
This homemade mixture helps fight colds in children. To prepare it you will need 1.5 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of honey, a little salt and 2 tablespoons of anise seeds.
How to prepare the mixture? Heat the milk and, without removing it from the heat, add honey and a pinch of salt. After this, dip the anise seeds into the milk and bring the mixture to a boil.
Strain the mixture and give it 1 tablespoon every 3 hours.
Marshmallow officinalis for the treatment of cough in adults
Althaea officinalis is a perennial plant whose leaves and roots have been used since ancient times to treat sore throats and suppress coughs. Marshmallow contains mucus, which coats the throat, relieves irritation and enhances the expectorant effect. You can purchase this herb in tea or capsule form, but note that marshmallow is not recommended for children.
Anise tea for adults
Warm anise tea can relieve coughs and sore throats. To prepare it, pour boiling water over the anise, wait until the drink cools a little, and then drink it. The longer the anise is left in the water, the more mucilage will be in your tea. Please note: This herb may cause side effects, including stomach upset.
Thyme for the treatment of cough in adults and children
Thyme is used in both cooking and medicine. This spice fights well against indigestion, cough, sore throat and bronchitis. Thyme leaves contain flavonoids—compounds that relax throat muscles and reduce inflammation—as well as antioxidants. To treat a cough, you can purchase ready-made syrup with ivy and thyme, or prepare several remedies yourself.
Tea with thyme for adults and children
As an alternative to syrup, make thyme tea by adding 2 teaspoons of the dried herb to a cup of hot water. Let the drink steep for 10 minutes before drinking and be sure to strain the tea.
Thyme decoction for upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis and whooping cough for children
This decoction effectively fights diseases that children often suffer from. To prepare it, pour 2 teaspoons of chopped thyme leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. Cover the mixture with a lid and let sit for 10 minutes. Strain the broth and drink it throughout the day.
Ginger for treating cough in adults
Ginger can relieve dry or asthmatic coughs as it has anti-inflammatory properties and also helps relieve nausea and headaches. Ginger, both fresh and in spice form, acts as an excellent remedy for the prevention of diseases.
Ginger tea for dry cough for adults
You can make a soothing ginger tea by adding 20-40g of fresh ginger pieces to a cup of hot water. Let the drink brew for a few minutes. To improve the taste and even greater benefits, add honey or lemon juice to your tea. Keep in mind that in some cases, ginger tea may cause stomach upset or heartburn.
Gargling with salt to treat cough in adults and children
This simple remedy is one of the most effective for treating sore throat and wet cough: salt water reduces the amount of phlegm and mucus on the back of the throat.
Stir 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt into a cup of warm water until dissolved. Allow the solution to cool slightly, then gargle with it for a few minutes several times a day.
You should not give salt water to children under 6 years old: they do not know how to gargle properly, and swallowing salt water can harm them.
Other drinks for treating cough in adults
During illness, it is important to drink enough water at room temperature, which will ease coughing, runny nose and sneezing. But in addition to it, it’s a good idea to include hot drinks in your diet to relieve symptoms such as sore throat and chills. These can be various broths, herbal teas, decaffeinated black tea and warm fruit juices:
Green mustache and buckwheat tea for dry cough
So you can make tea from green mustache and buckwheat. Mix 10 g of green mustache leaves and 10 g of buckwheat flowers, pour 1.5 liters of boiling water over them and let the tea brew for 30-40 minutes. Drink this drink immediately after preparation.
Black pepper tea for wet cough
And one more equally effective tea. Place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Pour the mixture with 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 15 minutes. Strain the tea and drink it.
Inhalations
A wet cough can be overcome with steam. The easiest way to cope with illness is to take a hot shower or bath. Just wait until the bathroom is filled with steam. After this procedure, be sure to drink a glass of water to prevent dehydration.
Alternatively, you can also do inhalation. Fill a large bowl with hot water and add herbs or essential oils (eucalyptus, mint, rosemary) that relieve swelling. Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam for 5 minutes.
If it gets too hot, take a short break.
Tea with sage for inhalation for dry cough
You can also prepare this tea for inhalation. Take 2 tablespoons of sage, coltsfoot or thyme, add 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and pour boiling water (1 liter) over the mixture. Place the saucepan or bowl with the broth on a surface you can sit near, such as a table. Cover your head with a towel and breathe over the steam for 5 - 10 minutes.
Probiotics
Probiotics don't directly relieve coughs, but they do strengthen your immune system, which will help you fight off infections or allergens later on. According to research, the Lactobacillus bacterium helps prevent colds.
Special Lactobacillus supplements and other probiotics can be purchased at health food stores and pharmacies. Some common foods are also rich in probiotics, including miso soup, natural yogurt, and sauerkraut.
However, the amount of probiotics in different foods can vary greatly, so taking a probiotic supplement in addition to eating probiotic-rich foods during the winter is recommended.
Tips to help prevent a cough
And finally, here are some tips to reduce the risk of diseases accompanied by cough:
Keep your distance from people who have a runny nose, flu or cough. Wash your hands regularly and teach your children to do the same. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if necessary.
Drink enough fluids. Avoid stressful situations (at least try): stress weakens the immune system. Get enough sleep: Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep.
Take immune-boosting supplements: zinc, vitamin C and probiotics.
Source: https://woman.rambler.ru/cooking/41523250-lechim-kashel-v-domashnih-usloviyah-10-luchshih-metodik-dlya-vzroslyh-i-detey/