“Can you suggest some home remedies to treat dry cough at night for kids?”
My 4 year old wakes up every night due to dry cough which is very disturbing. I don't want to rely on cough syrups. Are there any home remedies that could be more useful?
5 Answers
Humidifiers and honey.
Honey has proven effective in soothing a nighttime cough. Make sure the child is propped up and the room is cool.
Nighttime cough is very suspicious of asthma. Would first insure that child does not have nighttime bronchospasm. I know of no effective treatment for night cough that is not asthma
If your child has a persistent cough every night and no fever, he may be having nocturnal asthma, especially if you have allergies and eczema in your family. He may need medications which are specific for asthma. Do not give him over the counter medications for cough and colds, because they are very ineffective. Need to be evaluated by a competent pediatrician and use Albuterol and Budesonide by a nebulizer
FOR CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF 1 year:
Honey has been shown to be MORE EFFECTIVE that cough syrup in children, especially at night. This is great news for you. Recommend to take it straight off the spoon and not mixed with any liquid. Some adults like some lemon juice on top to cut the sweetness but this is not a problem for most kids.
If your kid is old enough and doesn't like the taste of the honey or the feel of it in their mouth, I recommend swishing with water and spitting it out. Also, prevent drinking fluids right after administration to allow the honey to coat the throat and treat the cough.
To note no cough medicine will prevent all coughing, the goal is reduced coughing and more sleep. My patients have noted good success with this treatment.
Honey has been shown to be MORE EFFECTIVE that cough syrup in children, especially at night. This is great news for you. Recommend to take it straight off the spoon and not mixed with any liquid. Some adults like some lemon juice on top to cut the sweetness but this is not a problem for most kids.
If your kid is old enough and doesn't like the taste of the honey or the feel of it in their mouth, I recommend swishing with water and spitting it out. Also, prevent drinking fluids right after administration to allow the honey to coat the throat and treat the cough.
To note no cough medicine will prevent all coughing, the goal is reduced coughing and more sleep. My patients have noted good success with this treatment.
