Dry Cough in Kids

September 13, 2022December 21, 2022 | Srilekha

With every changing season, the biggest concern amongst parents around the globe is to prevent their kids from cold, cough and flu. Children start to get cold and cough after about six months of age when the immunity they received from their mom fades and they have to build up their own immunity. Cough and cold is one of the most common complaints for which parents take their children to a doctor. Some cough and cold home remedy and foods can help to cure the symptoms and build immunity in kids. Understanding different types of cough helps to treat them better. Continue reading to know what is dry cough and foods that help.

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What’s this dry cough?

Phlegm or mucus is not produced by dry cough and hence it is commonly referred to as a non-productive cough. A dry cough can be brought on by many causes, including allergies and acid reflux. Sometimes there is no apparent cause. Whatever the source, a persistent dry cough can have a significant negative impact on your daily life, especially if it only occurs at night.

Very common characteristics that one can experience with dry cough include:

Persistent tickling in the throat
No mucus
Absence of wheezing or congestion
Causes poor sleep
Unproductive nature of cough

Also, check: Home Remedies for Fever in kids

What causes dry cough in babies and kids?

Some of its causes include:

1. Common cold:

A dry cough doesn’t always show as the initial sign of a common cold, but it usually does in its later stages. Common cold can make your baby’s throat feel itchy. At the beginning of the cold, your baby may experience brief episodes of mild, wet coughing; but, as the cold gets worse, these episodes will become drier.

2. Irritants in the environment:

Some kids are more sensitive than others to environmental irritants including smoke, dust, and mould. A dry cough may develop after exposure, especially if the air is dry. With continued exposure to the irritant, the cough might develop into a persistent dry cough.

3. Acid Reflux or GERD:

Acid reflux causes the stomach’s contents to flow backward into the oesophagus, causing discomfort and a dry cough. Children and infants who have GERD, also known as chronic gastric reflux disease, may have a persistent dry cough.

4. Whooping cough:

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a dangerous upper respiratory infection. It frequently begins with cold-like symptoms before developing into a chronic cough that makes “whooping” noises, losing appetite, and a low-grade fever. Constant whoopin eventually leads to drying of the throat causing dry cough.

Also, check: Cough and cold: Foods that help

5. Allergies:

Allergies can be one major cause. Many kiddos have a fascination towards gardens, flowers, pets etc. All these can be potential sources of allergens that can negatively affect in some or the other way round. When the human body perceives a foreign substance (such as pollen or pet hair) as a danger, allergies develop. Your body reacts by generating extra mucus, which can then drip down your throat and cause a cough.

Also, check: Different types of Allergies

6. Asthma:

Most asthmatic kids experience a dry cough, which does not produce mucus. This is a characteristic of asthma and occurs when the airways narrow in reaction to an irritant. The restricted airway also frequently results in a high-pitched wheeze sound in combination with the cough.

Also, check: Asthma – Foods that help

Symptoms of Dry Cough:

Symptoms experienced with dry cough include:

Sore throat
Nagging tickle in the throat
Trouble swallowing
Running nose
Coughing persistently

FOODS THAT HELP WITH DRY COUGH:

1. Ginger:

Ginger and lemon tea is a fantastic home cure for a dry cough since both ginger and lemon have anti-inflammatory characteristics that assist to lessen irritation in the throat and lungs. Additionally, these teas can help dry coughs by clearing the airways.

2. Turmeric:

Curcumin, a substance in turmeric, is an effective remedy for dry cough. Particularly noteworthy are the antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects of this substance. In addition, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases can be treated with turmeric.

Also, check:

3. Raw honey:

For years, honey has been utilised as a treatment for different throat issues, including coughs. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, it is believed to be beneficial. Due to its viscous consistency, honey coats the throat and has a calming effect.

4. Garlic:

Allicin, the main physiologically active component of garlic, has been discovered to be quite helpful in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, both of which are frequently helpful in preventing coughs. When garlic is chopped or crushed, an enzyme called alliinase is activated. This enzyme, when allowed to settle for a little while, can enhance the medicinal effects of garlic.

5. Pineapple:

Coughing in babies and the kids is a pretty common occurrence. It plays a crucial role in your body’s defence mechanism by aiding in the removal of irritants and potentially dangerous bacteria.There are various varieties of coughs, such as wet and dry ones. Wet coughs expel phlegm or mucus or make an impression of doing so. On the other hand, dry coughs don’t and are more troublesome.

6. Lemon:

Lemons help the body recover from the common cold and are a wonderful source of vitamin C. According to studies, vitamin C helps treat common colds and strengthens the immune system to lessen the severity of the flu.

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Causes of Nasal Congestion in kids: 8 Ways to Relieve

October 28, 2021January 20, 2023 | Divya shukla

Baby’s stuffy or runny nose is a matter of concern for every parent but also unavoidable due to their still maturing immune system. Stuffed-up noses are caused by inflammation of the sensitive membranes that line the nasal cavity, and they’re usually nothing to worry about. Nasal obstruction is when the nasal passages are blocked, or there is difficulty breathing from the nose. This is very common in babies and toddlers. Especially it is troublesome for newborns younger than 2 months, as they don’t know how to sniff or blow their nose while adults and older children can blow their noses to help clear their nasal passages. The most common causes for nasal congestion and runny nose in infants and children are infections, mainly of viral origin, or allergies.

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Symptoms of nasal congestion

A child with nasal congestion may also have these symptoms

Stuffy or Runny nose
Sneezing or coughing
Itchy eyes, nose, mouth and throat
Reduced sense of smell or taste
Has difficulty breathing or is unable to breathe
Noisy breathing
Body aches
Recurrent, severe respiratory infection
Problem in falling asleep. (some foods that help in sound sleep)
Difficulty in feeding

Causes For nasal congestion

Nasal congestion can be caused by any of the following causes:

Cold and flu:

Children catch colds when a virus comes in contact with the lining of the nose and throat. There are more than two hundred different viruses causing colds in children, but the Rhinovirus is the most common offender. The symptoms for cold include stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. (Home remedies for cold and flu)

Infection of the sinuses:

Sinuses are moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the nose. When they get infected and swell or become irritated, this is called sinusitis (or a sinus infection). This infection usually causes nasal congestion.

Allergic rhinitis:

These are the symptoms that occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, animal dander, or pollen. Symptoms can also occur when you eat a food that you are allergic to. (What are some common food allergies in kids?)

Presence of irritants:

Another prominent cause of blocked nose due to cold in children is the presence of irritants such as dust, smoke, or perfumes around the little one.

Foreign object in nostril:

Nasal congestion in toddlers can also be because of the insertion of small objects like a bead or a peanut by mistake, which make it difficult to breathe properly and need to be taken out immediately.

Large adenoids:

When the tissue in the back of the nose in children is enlarged, this may also cause nasal congestion in kids.

When to see a doctor?

In most of the cases nasal congestion is minor and clears up within a few days. If you notice any of the following symptoms, please seek help from your baby’s doctor.

Have fever (How to control fever at home?)
Nasal discharge persists for more than 10 to 14 days
Greenish or bloody nasal discharge
Difficulty breathing
Your child is eating or drinking less or seems to be having trouble with feeding
Nausea or vomiting
Your child is peeing less than normal
Ear pain.
A blue tint to skin around lips and nostrils.

Home remedies for nasal congestion

Taking proper care at home can help your baby to recover fast from nasal congestion. Below are some home remedies and foods that can help your baby.

Plenty of fluid:

Keep your child hydrated, this will help in thinning the mucus clogged in their nasal passage. If the baby is under 6 months, feed more breastmilk or formula milk and if the child is above 6 month you can offer warm water or other fluids. Give a small amount of fluid at a time but multiple times in a day. Apart from this you can also offer hot homemade soups, which are full of essential vitamins and minerals and are easy to digest. Avoid drinks with caffeine, including colas and tea, because they can make dehydration worse by increasing urination.

Saline solution:

This is the most important home remedy for a stuffy nose. Mix a teaspoon of table salt in warm water and pour the solution into your kid’s nostrils with the help of a dropper. This will directly impact the thinning of the mucus.

Warm compress:

Warm compress is one of the traditional and proven remedies to open up the nasal passage. Soak a soft washcloth in the warm water, squeeze it well. Now place this over the nose. This will help your child in passing the mucus and eases the clogged nose. Repeat this in a regular interval.

Steam:

If your child has nasal congestion then giving them steam is the best thing to do. For small kids who can’t inhale steam themselves, turn on the shower up to its hottest setting and close the door and let the steam build up. Turn off the shower once the bathroom is full of steam, now sit there with your baby for sometime. Your baby will automatically inhale the steam. This will help in thinning of mucus and give your baby relief from nasal congestion.

Sleeping Position:

Keep your child’s head in an elevated position to give some relief from cough and blocked nose that perpetuates through the night. (How is sleep and brain development related?)

TURMERIC:

Due to its antibacterial and anti-viral properties turmeric is one of the best foods for cold and flu season, known to treat viral infections. Adding turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk can offer relief in the aching throat and runny nose.

GINGER:

Ginger roots have been used for centuries for health benefits in Asian cultures. Research shows that ginger has medicinal properties, both antiviral and antibacterial, that could help ease the symptoms of stuffy nose or sore throat. Take out some ginger juice by grating it and mix it with some honey. Give this mixture to your child above 1 year twice a day for quick relief (What are other Ayurvedic herbs that are good for kids?)

Massage:

• Heat mustard oil and roast garlic and carom seeds in it. Once cool, apply this oil on the baby’s head, palm, feet base, chest and back. Leave it applied and let the child sleep. It will help settle the cold and cough both. Also, any body ache the child has will be resolved. Mustard oil is a very effective cough and cold home remedy.

• Take1 to 2 tbs of lukewarm mustard oil and mix half a teaspoon of rock salt. Then, massage this oil gently on the baby’s chest and back, cover with cotton cloth. The warmth of mustard oil helps in relieving congestion.

Prevention is better than cure

Do your child often fall sick with fever, cold and cough? The food we eat plays a key role in determining the overall health and immunity. It gives the body a condition of being able to resist a particular disease. By adding foods, like Nuts, Seeds, Ayurvedic herbs like Tulsi, Giloy, Turmeric, Amla, Ashwagandha and Antioxidants like Cocoa and Vitamin E to your kid’s diet you can prevent them from falling sick again and again by boosting their immunity.

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Cough and Cold: Home Remedy and Foods that Help

September 28, 2021December 23, 2022 | Shilpi

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Feedback from parents

How cold and cough affects the immunity of a child?

Children catch cold or cough, when a virus comes in contact with the lining of nose and throat. There are more than two hundred different viruses causing cold and cough in children, but the Rhinovirus is the most common offender. The symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing and coughing. However, flu symptoms are more severe than cold and include fever, headache, sore throat, congestion. Every time when kids get infected with a specific virus, their immune system develops antibodies, which help them to fight against it next time. But there are lots of different viruses, so it takes time to build an effective immune system. Many a times, taking medicines for these symptoms can give immediate relief but affect the immunity of a child negatively.

Which foods can help to boost immunity in children?

Giloy:

It is a shrub and an essential herb in ayurvedic medicines. Giloy is used to treat a wide range of health conditions. It contains important plant compounds like terpenoids, alkaloids, lignans, and steroids. Research shows that these compounds have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties, among other benefits which help to boost immunity.

Tulsi:

Tulsi leaves have been scientifically proven to have medicinal properties. It also has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects, rich in vitamin c and zinc and thus keeps the infection at a bay and naturally boosts the immunity.

Amla:

Amla is a storehouse of antioxidants. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C, which is known to boost immunity. It has antibacterial and astringent properties that boosts immunity.

Ashwagandha:

As an anti-oxidant, boosting immunity is one of the most popular benefits of Ashwagandha for kids. The root activates and increases the levels of enzymes and macrophages, a type of white blood cell that kills bad viruses and bacteria. It also promotes the development of antibodies, which is a major factor in improving the body’s response to a health-threatening infection.

TURMERIC:

A compound found in turmeric, Curcumin, offers therapeutic relief and is a perfect immunity booster for kids. It has a a very high antioxidant value to protect body from invading infections. It is also rich in vitamin A, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2) and vitamin C.

Nuts:

The vitamin E found in nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts and hazelnut help the immune system to fight against invading bacteria. They are a great source of antioxidants that keep the body healthy and disease free by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation. Nuts are beneficial for brain development as well. (What are some proven brain foods?)

Seeds:

Seeds are an incredible source of nutrients. Sunflower seeds are rich in magnesium, vitamin E, antioxidants and good fats. Together they help to boost immunity. Pumpkin seeds are rich in Vitamin E which is necessary for immunity building and also packed with other bone-building nutrients like potassium, magnesium and vitamin K. Melon seeds are a good source of zinc. It helps to boost our immunity, helps in digestion, cell growth, and keeps your nervous system healthy.

Antioxidants:

Cocoa contains flavonoid, a naturally occurring compound found in plants which act as antioxidant and help in counteracting free radicals in the body. Also rich in zinc, iron, copper, and vitamins like A, B12 and K. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and has an ability to modulate host immune functions. Vitamin E is key for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes. In recent years, vitamin E supplements have become popular as antioxidants.

COUGH AND COLD HOME REMEDY for kids:

Massage:

Heat mustard oil and roast garlic and carom seeds in it. Once cool, apply this oil on the baby’s head, palm, feet base, chest and back. Leave it applied and let the child sleep. It will help settle the cold and cough both. Also, any body ache the child has will be resolved. Mustard oil is a very effective cough and cold home remedy.
Take1 to 2 tbs of lukewarm mustard oil and mix half a teaspoon of rock salt. Then, massage this oil gently on the baby’s chest and back, cover with cotton cloth. The warmth of mustard oil helps in relieving congestion.

Mulethi:

Mix a spoon of mulethi (Licorice) powder with a spoonful of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and make your kids take this twice a day to get relief.

Also check, Which foods are good for boosting immunity in kids?

Ginger & Honey:

Take out some ginger juice by grating it and mix it with some honey. Give this mixture to your child above 1 year twice a day for quick relief.

Also check, 10 health benefits of honey for kids

Warm water:

Squeeze some lemon juice in a glass of warm water and add honey for taste. This remedy is for older kids above one year.

Also check, What is the right age to give water to babies?

Turmeric milk:

Add turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and make your kid have it every night. This provides instant relief for an aching throat and runny nose.