Coughing up phlegm in children can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Although this condition generally clears up on its own within 2 weeks, you can help relieve cough with phlegm in children with non-drug therapy and without having to see a doctor.
Coughing up phlegm in children occurs when the respiratory tract is irritated or infected. The child's body responds to these irritations and infections by producing more mucus or phlegm. After that, through a reflex sent by the brain, the body will expel irritants, bacteria, and phlegm in the respiratory tract through coughing.
Natural ways to relieve cough with phlegm in children
The following are some natural ways to relieve cough with phlegm in children that you can do at home:
1. Cmeet fluid needs
Give your child a lot of water or fluid intake, for example from chicken soup, to prevent dehydration and help thin phlegm. Consumption of warm water can help relieve a persistent cough that causes chest discomfort.
2. Give honey
According to research, honey is believed to relieve coughing up phlegm in children and help them sleep soundly. You can mix honey into hot tea. But remember, do not give honey to babies under 12 months because it can cause botulism.
3. Hindarare you the child of air pollution
Keep your child away from exposure to smoke, especially cigarette smoke, which can irritate the throat and make coughing up phlegm in children worse. In addition, exposure to cigarette smoke also increases the risk of respiratory tract infections in children, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
4. Drop the salt water
If your little one has trouble sleeping and has difficulty breathing due to coughing up phlegm, you can drip salt water into his nose. This will help clear the mucus in the nose, making it easier for him to breathe.
Dissolve teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of warm water, then put 2-3 drops of the solution into each nostril.
5. Rebuttal head child moment he sleep
Sleeping on your back or on your side can cause mucus to build up in your throat. This will trigger a cough with phlegm in children. To avoid this, try to set your little one's pillow a little higher, so he can sleep well.
If various ways to naturally relieve cough with phlegm in children are less effective, it's okay to give a special cough medicine for children, such as expectorants that can thin phlegm.
Keep in mind that over-the-counter drugs without a doctor's prescription are not recommended for children under the age of 6 years. Giving any medication to children should be consulted with a doctor first.
Although coughing is a very common symptom in children, you still have to be vigilant, because coughing with phlegm in children can also be caused by more severe diseases, such as pneumonia (pneumonia), bronchiolitis, sinusitis, and asthma.
Watch out if a child's cough with phlegm does not go away after 2 weeks, or if the cough is accompanied by a high fever, shortness of breath, blue lips and nails, weight loss, yellow, brown, or blood-tinged sputum. Immediately check your little one to the doctor to get the right treatment.