6 Ways to Overcome Child Cough So Your Little One Get Healed Fast

Children often experience coughing. Not infrequently, coughing in children makes parents worried. Then, what should parents do when a child has a cough? Let's find out more below.

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What causes coughing in children?

Coughing is a mechanism of respiratory tract defense from stimulation of cough receptors. Coughing in children is caused by several things. It could be due to respiratory infections due to viruses, cigarette smoke, dust, or other chemicals. In addition, there are also coughs caused by reflux of stomach acid, sinusitis, or even because your child is allergic.

Tips for coughing up your child quickly

Of course there are tips to relieve coughing for your child to get well soon. If your child coughs, parents can do the following:

1. The child must rest enough

When coughing in a child occurs, the child needs adequate rest. The duration of rest depends on the severity of the cough and the severity of other symptoms, such as fever or runny nose. When attacked by cough, usually children need 2-3 days to rest.

Make sure the child rests at home with enough sleep and does not undergo activities that can slow the healing of coughs. Therefore, reduce playing outside the house first.

Resting and getting enough sleep is one of the keys to healing coughs. However, in children it is not easy, especially if your child is classified as active.

Whether the child needs to be absent from school can be seen from how severe the cough is. If the condition of the cough occurs repeatedly until the condition of the child is weak, it is better to rest at home 1-2 days until the symptoms of cough improve.

2. Take cough medicine for children

Handling coughs in children depends on the underlying cause. Giving cough medicine must pay attention to the type of medication, how many doses, how many times a day should be given, and until when to take cough medicine.

Giving cough medicine should be consulted with your doctor first. Generally coughing is often caused by a virus, which usually will heal itself without having to be treated with drugs (self limiting disease).

For a while, parents can give cough medicines to children who are bought at a pharmacy. However, choose cough medicines that are specially formulated for children, and that are appropriate for your child's cough type. Choosing the right medication for the cause of a child's cough can speed healing.

Generally the dosage of a child's cough medicine from a doctor is given differently based on the age of the child. However, it is better to check with your pediatrician to find out the right dose of cough medicine based on your child's condition.

Meanwhile, if you want to give free cough medicines that are sold in the market, parents must follow the rules of use that are on the label. Remember, always use a measuring spoon. Do not use another spoon for children to take cough medicine.

It is important to follow the instructions for using the drug, do not overdo or reduce the recommended dosage in the package of cough medicine for children. If you have taken medication and the cough does not go away in 1-2 weeks, immediately take the child to the doctor.

3. Give the child enough fluids

To treat a child who is coughing, parents can also make sure the child drinks enough water to prevent dehydration. Parents can also provide adequate milk if the child is still consuming milk. Do not let the child become dehydrated because this condition can make the cough in the child worse.

4. Avoid coughing foods or drinks

When a child has a cough, avoid eating certain foods and drinks. For example sweet drinks, cold drinks, and fried foods. It is recommended to provide warm soup foods that can avoid coughing from the itching in the throat.

5. Keep children from allergic triggers

If the child has symptoms of allergic cough, avoid allergens (trigger allergies) in children. Also pay attention to the cleanliness of the mattress and the home environment. Generally dust, mold, and pet hair easily stick to the sofa or mattress that can cause children to cough because of their recurrent allergies.

6. Choose the most comfortable sleeping position

Try to sleep with the head raised slightly. So, prop the child's head with a high pillow while sleeping and avoid sleeping on his back. Sleeping on your back can make mucus build up in your throat and interfere with your child's breathing.

When to see a doctor?

The following are cough symptoms that must be immediately taken to a pediatrician:

• Children cough with high fever
• Children until it is difficult to breathe due to coughing
• Whooping cough
• Chest pain
• Children are difficult or don't want to eat
• The child has coughing up blood
• The child has a cough accompanied by vomiting

It is important to see a doctor if the cough in a child lasts more than 2 weeks. In addition, if the cough heals-relapse more than 3 months in a row, the parent must consult the child with a doctor for further treatment.

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