How To Calm Horrible Coughing On a 5-Year-Old?

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

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Help, my fiance's 5-year-old kid has a serious coughing problem, he has had fever and what it looks like the flu since friday, the fever is gone but his coughing is dry and rough, and it's constant. It used to be only at night but now it's at all times.

(went to hospital on Sunday and docs said there was nothing wrong and adviced giving him Tylenol)

Anyone here knows a trick or a cure from back home or from the grandparents how to placate or at least calm down the coughing?

[susan123]

If the coughing keeps up or you remain concerned, go back to the doctor. Things change and sometimes you need to go back. Also, different doctors have different opinions and it never hurts to seek out a second or third...

In the meantime, I have had success with candy for dry coughs. (Especially constant tiny bits of candy cane.) It keeps the throat wet to prevent the dry hack. I have also found steam useful (shut the bathroom door and run the hot water for about 10 min. 4 times a day). And at night I try some cough medicine specifically for dry coughs - but more hit and miss with this.

My parents always swore by their hot lemons. (Warm water with lemon juice and honey - when older they added a touch of alcohol-brandy???) Anyway, I'm really not into sour and never thought it worked.....

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[mart242]

Rub vicks on throat / chest / back and put humidifier in room. If still cough after a few days or it gets worse (ie: wheezing), go see a doctor.

[mohitk]

Try honey. give him half a teaspoon of honey and see if he responds. generally works. Else add a bit of fresh ginger juice to the honey.

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

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Thanks guys, I tried all your advices, the honey & lemon trick was done to me when I was a kid. I tried the steam trick like one poster above suggested. The kid continued with the dry cough for 36 hours more but now it has almost completely vanished, I don't know if from your tricks or from time weakening :o

Thanks for the tips.

[CSR]

If its the thick stuff, salt + hotwater gets rid of it quick.

[ai_c]

vicks on the feet with socks on just before going to bed

[rfdrfd]

I recommend all parents to get a hygrometer (device that measures the % humidity), from Radio shack (The Source) or something.

This way, you will know how dry or not the room actually is. And if the humidifier is actually working.

[bubble.tea]

Rub vicks on throat / chest / back and put humidifier in room. If still cough after a few days or it gets worse (ie: wheezing), go see a doctor.

I'm surprised you didn't mention feet...


vicks on the feet with socks on just before going to bed
oh., there we go!

Now here's the true test....WHY feet?:cheesygri

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

I recommend all parents to get a hygrometer (device that measures the % humidity), from Radio shack (The Source) or something.

This way, you will know how dry or not the room actually is. And if the humidifier is actually working.

Are you saying that the dry air in my apartment has caused this rough cough?

[mart242]

I'm surprised you didn't mention feet...

http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/vaporub.asp

Not proven.. but I'd say that it's a myth!