How Do You Stop Your Child from Coughing at Night?

A cough can be a symptom of quite a few different things. The most common cause of a child's cough is post-nasal drip, but there are other causes as well. A doctor or pharmacist can help determine the cause of your child's coughing, although most cases are easily treated with over-the-counter medications or simple lifestyle changes. Keep reading to find out where to get children’s night cough relief products.

What is a cough?

A cough is a reflex your body produces as a reaction to rid the airways of mucus as well as other irritants such as smoke and dust.

Causes of children’s night cough

If you're concerned about your child's cough, it's important to understand why.

A cough can be caused by many different things, but the most common cause is post-nasal drip. Post-nasal drip occurs when mucus from the nose reaches the back of the throat and causes coughing because of its thick consistency. Other causes include:

- Poorly fitted dentures or braces (the metal fittings on braces can get stuck on soft tissue such as lung tissue).

- Eating too much sugar or other sugary foods (can lead to excess mucus production).

- Diseases of the airway (such as asthma).

- Foreign body in their throat or nose (like food particles or small toys).

- Allergies and environmental influences such as pollution, smoke and dust that irritate the nasal passages and lungs.

Strained or sore throat due to allergies, colds, or the flu

A cough is a common symptom of a sore throat, but it can also be caused by something more serious.

A cough can be caused by allergies, colds or the flu. Your pharmacist or doctor may recommend that you treat your child's cold with medicine to help reduce the number of times they have to cough each day. If the cough persists despite treatment, seek medical advice.

Types of coughs in children

There are several types of coughs in children, including:

Dry cough

This type of cough produces no mucus and is usually caused by viral infections such as the common cold.

Wet cough

This type of cough produces mucus and is usually caused by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

How to stop my child from coughing at night?

Here are some ways to help your child stop coughing at night:

- Keep the air in the room moist by using a humidifier or placing a bowl of water near the radiator.

- Avoid triggers such as dust, pet dander, and tobacco smoke.

- Ensure your child gets plenty of fluids throughout the day to help thin mucus and make coughing easier.

- Use over-the-counter cough medicines specifically designed for children and as directed by a paediatrician.

- Have your child sleep with their head elevated to help reduce mucus buildup and coughing.

- Consider giving a warm bath before bed to help relax and soothe your child.

Get in touch with us or your doctor if your child's coughing persists or if they have other symptoms such as fever, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

Where can I get products to relieve children’s night coughs?

Shop online at Chemist.net for the best products to help relieve your child’s cough at night.

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This blog post was written on behalf of Chemist.net by Pharmacy Mentor.