Cough Medicine for Children

Coughing in children is common and can cause sleep deprivations and affect everyday routine. Coughing is often an indication of a viral infection such as common cold or it may occur due to exposure to allergens. A cough that is a result of sinus congestion or a bronchial infection, is trying to throw out the mucus (phlegm) that has accumulated in the respiratory system. Dry cough in children means the presence of foreign particles that are causing irritation in the throat.

Cough Syrup for Children

Buying the right medicine for the child is necessary to get rid of cough. There are a plenty of over the counter medications, but only a few are applicable for children. The cough syrups given below should be given to children who have crossed 10 years of age.

Triaminic
Triaminic products are specially designed to treat cough in children. A popular cough relief remedy, triaminic syrups reduce nasal and chest congestion associated with cough. It is especially useful to lessen cold cough and allow the child to get a good night sleep. The syrup contains cough suppressants that provides relief from coughing due to minor lung infections.

Tylenol
When cough is accompanied by fever, a reliable product that can work effectively to improve the child's health, is Tylenol. Tylenol contains expectorant that helps to thin out mucus and make it easier to expel mucus. It is also available in a wide variety of flavors, thus helping to cure cough in a delicious way. It also relieves headache associated with common cold.

Vicks
This is another cough medicine for children that can work wonders to control dry cough. Taking vicks cough syrup, will calm the dry cough immediately. As it contains natural ingredients like honey, it helps to suppress the cough.

Cough Remedies for Children

Along with medicines, parents can also take the help of some natural remedies to relieve cough of children. For instance, increasing fluid intake by drinking water, tea and soup can help to loosen up the mucus, thus allowing the child to clear out the mucus easily. Grape juice containing honey is one of the best cough remedies for children that can provide soothing effect to the irritated throat. A mixture of honey and lemon to children more than 12 years can also be beneficial to bring cough under control.

Giving over the counter medicine for infants or for children under 4 is not at all recommended. Those available in the market and labeled as 'infant cough medicine', have not received any FDA approval. It is not safe to give any cough medicine to children under 4. Instead, administering saline drops in the nose and then removing them out by the force of suction, will allow your child to breathe properly. Installation of humidifier in the room can make the surrounding environment more conducive to breathe easily.

A point to note that, giving the medicine in appropriate amounts daily, is essential to cure an irritating cough. Overdose or excessive use of cough syrup can cause serious side effects. So, parents should ensure that their child is given the medicine in the prescribed dose only.