OT: Any suggestions for coughs?

[Schmeck]

My eldest daughter is a chronic cougher - any cold she gets ends up being a cough for weeks on end. Delsym did nothing for her! Other types of OTC cough medicine worked a bit, but the best relief she got was from Vicks, hot tea with honey, and lots of cups of plain old water.

As sahm1000 posted, the 'recall' of cough medication was not because the medications were tainted or faulty, it was because parents were not reading the warning labels and were overdosing their kids.

 

[720L]

Does anyone know if a generic will do the same thing, or does it need to be the actual Vicks brand? Thanks!

Are you talking about putting it on the feet? I was told it has to be the actual Vicks brand for the feet. I have tried this and it does work. I had my son put it on himself and that seemed to be the way to get him to do it.

 

[3jsmommy]

I use the vicks (never tried it on feet, but I will next time!), a cool mist humidifier, & if the child is over a year old honey in some warm water. I think that works better than cough medicine anyway.

 

[SilverMickey]

I didn't have time to read each post... however our doctor told us to do this at night.

Put wet... not dripping wet but not completly rung out cotton socks on your feet. cover those with another pair of socks. This really works and I'm so not a believer in this kind of thing. You get used to the socks in just a few minutes nad I really can't believe it works but it does! We have been doing this for several years now.

Anyone else heard of this?

I hope your little one is feeling better soon.

 

[oldbay]

We get a lot of coughs and even croup.

Steam showers followed by something cool - cool air or an icepop helps to calm the cough.

Some drug stores also sell cough drop that are lollipops and shaped like teddy bears. That way you have less of a worry of them swallowing the cough drop or choking. Also, a children's advil/motrin - if old even- should help to reduce any swelling and pain and might help to suppress the cough.

The pediatrician can also prescribe an oral steroid, this is for croup, if it gets bad, which works Amazingly well, if the cough gets worse.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[twinmom2]

My DD was sick off and on for about 4 weeks, she also gets those crazy coughs that last for hours at night. Anyway, DR prescribed antihistamine and steroid nasal spray...that is after two rounds of antibiotics a couple weeks earlier...I got frustrated and asked some of my mom friends of homeopathic treatments.....went to the vitamin shoppe and got Esther C and a natural nasal spray, that night she was soooo much better. The cough is basically from post nasal drip, so if you can clear that you should be all set.
FYI, In the past benedryll has worked too.
Good luck

 

[NHDisneyMom]

I have used the vic's vapor rub on both my kids and it worked like a charm! My 6 year old was not wild about it at first, but when she started coughing, she told me to put it on. My 4 year old is addicted to it and fake coughs, claiming he needs vics on his feet!

I have told several people I know about it and they say it works also. Not sure why it works, but my kids slept all night instead of being up coughing!

 

[CarKay]

This sounds really gross but it works.... dark Karo syrup sprinkled w/ a little pepper. This is an old Dutch remedy and I had to have it constantly as a kid!

 

[2cutekidz]

I just went through tis same thing with DS2. We took him in to the doctor about a week into the cold becasues of his awful cough. It was just a cold. It hadn't cleared up a week later so back we went. It developed into an ear infection in both ears. I mentioned the Vicks on the feet and my ped looked at me like I had sprouted a second head! She also mentioned that Vicks can cause breathing problems in some children. With that said I still used the Vicks at nightime, on both his feet and his chest.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

DD2 has had the same type of thing. I took her on Friday to the doctor after about 3 weeks of a clear mucus runny nose. It had changed from clear to slightly yellow and she had developed a small "mucusy" cough. Once we got there they said she had a double ear infection (she had never complained about her ears or ran a fever) and since I had let it go on for so long she was going to need two rounds of antibiotics and they also prescribed a decongestant/antihistamine as well as over the counter mucinex in a yellow package. I asked about the prescription decongestant/antihistamine and was told that the controversy is whether they actually provide relief for children under 12. The other problem is that when they were over the counter there were lots of varieties and age groups and people were accidentally overdosing their children by using drugs that do the same thing (like two different medicines that both contain a decongestant). She said that the prescription medicines are safe as long as they are given as directed (pretty much the same as any medicine). I'd call your doctor and see if you can be seen and if they can help with some relief. Good luck!

We had somewhat of the same kind of situation. DS didn't even have a runny nose or a fever and never complained about his ears, but a horrible cough. We took him for his annual physical with the Pediatrician yesterday and when she looked in his ears she saw the double ear infection. He is getting antibiotics, we are running a humidifier in his room and he's getting some Delsym (I was told this was okay as it was only for coughs to break up the mucus). We did try honey without much relief so I was disappointed. I'm sure it works better on people who have dry coughs.

 

[ENSOCK]

I have found the patches. You put them on the chest like vicks but with out the mess. I put them on a shirt for me and my sons.

I might have to try the vicks on the feet next time we are sick!

 

[PrinceAndPrincessQ]

Usually the very best for a nagging cough is an antihistime, such as Benadryl, as another poster pointed out...coughs are alot of times due to post nasal drip.
Along with the antihistime, some salt water nasal spray..such as 'oceans' can make a huge difference!!!!!!!!!!! hmm, Not so sure u will ever get a child to do that though. I dont even do it. lolololol

(always check with doctor before trying anything..... )

 

[htmom]

"I have found the patches. You put them on the chest like vicks but with out the mess. I put them on a shirt for me and my sons."



Where did you find the patches?!? Triaminic used to make them but pulled them from the shelves (I think a kid put one in his mouth and caused a problem) They used to work for ds, but now we just use vicks. I wish I could find them again.

 

[2cutekidz]

I think the Vicks on the feet works so well because you absorb things through your feet very fast. Ive heard if you were to put garlic (spread ?) on your feet, you would be able to taste it within an hour. Anyone want to test this theory out?! LOL!

 

[krichbourg]

The Triaminic patches were the ONLY thing that I got good, consistant relief with when used on my 11 year old. IF I ever find any more, I'll buy all of them that I can!! Otherwise, I have no advice, sorry.

 

[logansmummy]

We just went through this with our son. Our doctor NEVER prescribes cough medicine, even before the warnings. He had us give our DS4 equal parts honey/lemon juice. I ended up giving him 1 teaspoon every 2 hours. Worked like a charm and he was really bad.

 

[DevilDuckie]

It's hard to know what will work without knowing why cough syrup is a no-go. I have success with honey and lemon juice in hot water, sometimes with a little brandy, but watch the amount with little ones.