what to give a 5 year old for cough and congestion

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Coughs and colds—yuck! They make kids (and their parents!) miserable. The symptoms are uncomfortable, last a long fourth dimension, and tin make slumber a claiming. Parents desire a fast way to get their little one dorsum to his or her active, happy self. I experience for yous and actually wish I had a quick fix, but the truth is that at that place is no magic in curing the common cold.

Over-the-Counter Medicine—More Harmful Than Helpful

Over-the-counter cold medicine is not recommended for kids four and under. For kids 4 to 6-years-former only give them if your doctor tells you to. Later on historic period 6 the directions on the package tin be followed (just exist very conscientious with dosing). Besides, since colds are caused by viruses, prescription antibiotics will non help.

I recommend trying home remedies commencement instead of medicine for kids of whatever age with a simple cold. Why? Considering over-the-counter cold medicines don't work well, and there are possible side furnishings. Bottom line—it'due south not worth information technology!

What You Tin can Do at Abode

Warm soup and teas can aid soothe symptoms and brand your child experience improve.

If your child has a stuffy or runny nose, the mucus running down the throat could be causing some of the cough. A saline nasal spray and frequent nose blowing (instead of sniffling) tin help—rub a flake of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) on the nose area every so frequently can continue the nose from getting red and irritated. A cool mist vaporizer can also go on the mucus moving.  Be certain to clean the vaporizer well between uses.

Another good cough remedy for kids over age ane is a teaspoon or and so of dear, which coats and soothes the pharynx—my female parent always mixed this with a scrap of lemon juice or into a simple herbal tea. Sound like an old wives' tale? It was studied! Sick kids who got a spoonful of dearest earlier bed had improve sleep and less coughing!

For children two years and older, a mentholated rub can be put on top of the chest and forepart of the neck (throat surface area) to help reduce cough so kids tin can sleep. Mentholated rubs piece of work differently than cough medicines that children take by mouth. The body's warmth helps the medication get into the air over time. The kid breathes in the medicine through the nose and mouth to assistance soothe a coughing. As with all medicines, every bit before long as yous finish giving the medicine to your child, store it up and abroad and out of attain of curious footling ones!

Of course, plenty of residue and fluids help besides. For kids three months to 1 year of age, five to 15 mL of warm water or apple tree juice can be tried 4 times a day.

It Takes Time

When your child has a common cold, information technology is important to exist patient. The commencement few days are the worst, but cold symptoms in kids can terminal for two weeks, with coughing up to 4 weeks. Most immature kids get half dozen-viii colds a yr―that'southward a lot of cough and sniffling!

I know y'all would do anything to make your kid feel better only attempt to do your all-time not to treat your child's cold with also much medication!

Retrieve, there is no need to treat a low fever (fever less than 100.4 F)—this is the body's way of fighting infection! Still, if a fever is making it hard for your child to slumber or is making your child uncomfortable, it can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Make certain to carefully follow the dosing instructions for these medicines.

When to Worry

If your kid has trouble animate or swallowing or has a severe coughing such as one that causes airsickness, phone call your doctor. Also, if your child has asthma, and your kid has a nighttime coughing—it could mean the asthma is getting worse. Your medico volition besides desire to encounter your kid if your child'due south symptoms last a long time (cold symptoms for more than 2 weeks; coughing for more than 4 weeks) or are not starting to get better later on a week. High fevers (102 F or college) could hateful that there is a more serious infection. Sick infants (3-months-sometime or younger) with common cold symptoms or a fever over 100.4 F should exist seen by a dr..

Boosted Information from HealthyChildren.org:

• Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies? 

• Fever and Pain Medicine: How Much to Give Your Child
  

• Why Near Sore Throats, Coughs & Runny Noses Don't Need Antibiotics
  

• Why Does My Child Have a Chronic Cough (Video)
  

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Last Updated

5/30/2019

The information independent on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Can-I-give-my-5-year-old-cough-medicine.aspx

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