While parents worry about their child’s health the most, when the child is an infant – it triggers more worries. The younger children are more susceptible to catching a cold or cough due to the changing weather, however, in most of such cases, this kind of health condition is not a serious one. In fact, coughing helps protect the airways in the throat and chest. Some parents administer antibiotics instantly to their children, however, one should try to avoid instant medication and try out some natural remedies for a few days to get rid of the problem.
Usually, cold and cough start to get better on its own in a matter of 5-6 days. However, if it doesn’t mend and gets worse, and the child starts developing a fever, faces trouble in breathing or breathes rapidly, and vomits for more than two days, he/she should be taken to a paediatrician.
Coughing is always due to an irritation felt in the throat, windpipe, or lungs. In maximum cases, it is caused by mucus. When a lot of mucus accumulates in the throat during cold it triggers a cough. Cough is also triggered because of allergies, bronchiolitis, flu, pneumonia, croup, or ingestion of a foreign object.
There are four types of coughs: Dry, wet, croup, and whooping. It is always good to diagnose the cough type and then decide on the treatment.
Dry cough: This type of health condition occurs when it is marked by the absence of phlegm. It is an infection in the upper respiratory tract.
Croup Cough: It is a viral infection and in such conditions, the cough is harsh and dry. The most common symptom is, when a child is breathing in, he/she makes a high-pitched sound.
Whooping Cough: The children tend to cough at night and after coughing, he/she takes a deep breath.
Homemade nasal drops: Mix mix half a teaspoon of salt and 8 teaspoons of warm water and add few drops of it into the child’s nostrils.
Turmeric: Mix some turmeric powder with warm water and apply the paste on the chest of your child. Don’t forget to wash the paste after some time.
Mustard oil and garlic: Add 3-4 cloves of garlic into a cup of mustard oil and heat it for a while. Now, massage your baby’s chest, feet, palms, back with the oil for a few minutes.
Jaggery, Cumin, Black Pepper: Add some amount of these ingredients to water and boil it. When it gets cool, feed two teaspoons to your child.
Honey: Half a pinch of black pepper and one spoon of honey can bring some relief to the children suffering from cough. Also, the same amount of dry ginger powder with one spoon of honey is also a healthy option to try out during cough.
Lemon and Honey: Juice of half a lemon, two teaspoons of honey and some amount of warm water. Mix them and give it to your child to reduce the severity of coughing significantly.
Steam: Though giving steam to babies and older kids isn’t an easy task, but if possible a few minutes of it can be beneficial to clear a stuffy nose and ease breathing.
Milk added with turmeric and jaggery: Feed your child with some warm milk with a bit of jaggery and turmeric. A mixture of Haldi and milk is a good option in dry cough condition.
Besides trying out the above-mentioned natural remedies, consumption of soups, apples, blueberries, onions, ginger tea is also a healthy option.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.
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