Home Cures and Homemade Solutions for Whooping Cough
Croup, a common viral upper airway infection, can be challenging for both adults and children. However, there are several effective home remedies that can help soothe the symptoms and provide relief.
Firstly, maintaining calmness is crucial. Agitation can exacerbate the characteristic stridor and coughing associated with croup. Holding a child comfortably on a lap can help soothe them and reduce their distress [3][4].
Secondly, humidified air can work wonders. Using a cool-mist humidifier or sitting in a steamy bathroom can add moisture to dry airways, relieving coughing and breathing difficulty [1][4].
Thirdly, staying hydrated is essential. Offering plenty of fluids like warm water, herbal teas, or soup broth can soothe the throat and thin mucus, easing coughing [1][3]. For children, herbal teas may be too strong, so warm water or soup broth is a safer alternative.
Fourthly, elevating the head during sleep can help reduce nighttime coughing by preventing mucus accumulation [1].
Fifthly, honey can be beneficial for children over the age of one. Honey acts as a natural cough suppressant and soothes sore throats [1]. However, it's important to note that honey should not be given to infants under one year due to the risk of botulism.
Sixthly, saline nasal drops can clear nasal congestion, which can contribute to throat irritation and cough, particularly if post-nasal drip is present [1].
While less conventional remedies like onion syrup have been suggested, their clinical validation is lacking, and their use should be approached with caution [2].
For more severe cases, particularly for infants, nebulizer treatment or medical consultation may be necessary. However, home remedies can serve well for mild symptoms and initial relief [4][5].
In summary, maintaining calmness, humidified air, hydration, honey (for children over one), head elevation, and saline drops form the core effective home measures to ease croup symptoms. If symptoms worsen or breathing difficulty increases, prompt medical attention should be sought.
It's also worth noting that ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be appropriate for children, starting at 6 months of age, to manage fever or discomfort [6].
Lastly, it's essential to remember that while croup can be stressful, it is generally not a cause for concern. However, anyone experiencing difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms should see a doctor [7]. Additionally, avoiding putting a child's head over a steaming pot of water and avoiding the use of potent-smelling creams or essential oils for children with croup are crucial safety measures [8][9].
References:
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Croup. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/croup/symptoms-causes/syc-20354950
[2] National Library of Medicine. (2021). Croup. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000733.htm
[3] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Croup. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/respiratory-issues/Pages/Croup.aspx
[4] KidsHealth.org. (2021). Croup. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/croup.html
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Croup. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/features/croup/index.html
[6] American Academy of Paediatrics. (2021). Fever and Pain Relief in Children. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Fever-and-Pain-Relief-in-Children.aspx
[7] National Health Service. (2021). Croup. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/croup/
[8] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Croup: What Parents Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/respiratory-issues/Pages/Croup-What-Parents-Need-to-Know.aspx
[9] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Croup: What Parents Need to Know About Essential Oils. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/respiratory-issues/Pages/Croup-What-Parents-Need-to-Know-About-Essential-Oils.aspx
- While croup is generally manageable, severe symptoms like difficulty breathing should prompt immediate medical attention.
- In addition to conventional remedies, the safety and effectiveness of unconventional remedies such as onion syrup should be approached with caution.
- For infants and toddlers who are experiencing croup symptoms, common over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen might be appropriate for managing fever and discomfort.
- Keeping children hydrated is crucial in easing croup symptoms, and water, herbal teas, or soup broth are all suitable fluids to offer them.
- A cool-mist humidifier or a steamy bathroom can add much-needed moisture to airways and help alleviate coughing and breathing difficulty associated with croup.
- Maintaining a calm and soothing environment is essential to help prevent agitation, as it can exacerbate croup symptoms.
- To clear nasal congestion, which can contribute to throat irritation and cough, saline nasal drops can be effective.
- Honey can help soothe sore throats and act as a natural cough suppressant, but it should not be given to infants under the age of one due to the risk of botulism.
