What Is a Remedy for Non-Stop Hard Coughing for Children?

Coughing uncontrollably can be not only uncomfortable, but it can also be scary for a child. Knowing the cause of the coughing can help you provide the best remedy and know when to take her to the doctor or hospital.

Identification

• A nonstop racking or hard cough can be present with bronchitis, asthma, croup and colds.

Warning

• Always talk with your child's pediatrician before giving him or her medicine. Don't give honey to children under 2 years of age. In most cases, doctors don't advise giving children over-the-counter cough suppressants. If the child has blue-tinged lips or is complaining of being dizzy or light-headed, go to the emergency room or call 911.

Prevention/Solution

• If the cough is productive (phlegm or mucus comes out when coughing), use a humidifier to moisten the air around the child and give the child as much liquids as you can (chicken broth or soup and apple juice for instance) with one caveat: If the child starts vomiting when coughing, reduce the intake.

Considerations

• If the cough could be described as barking and the child sounds hoarse, take her into the bathroom and turn on the shower really hot (don't put her in). Let the steam build up and keep her in there supervised for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as needed. The steam and heat will help calm the bronchial tubes.

Significance

• If there are no other symptoms such as fever, runny nose or other cold symptoms and the coughing episodes come and go, consider taking your child to the doctor for possible allergy-induced asthma. This condition generally happens when a person is allergic to pollen or animal dander.