Those Nasty Coughs and Sore Throats

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We are first discussing recommendations for managing those coughs, and then we will finish with options for addressing  the sore throats.

How do you manage your child’s nasty cough triggered by an upper respiratory viral illness? Coughs are a frequent companion to a child’s viral illness. They can be disruptive to sleep and make your child miserable. Most coughs are viral in nature. Therefore, antibiotics are not useful for treating viral coughs.

However, occasionally coughs can be associated with a bacterial infection which is usually accompanied by a higher prolonged fever or lasts beyond a week without improvement. Some children may experience viral induced asthma in association with a viral infection. In either of these situations you would need to contact your health care provider for further treatment. In addition, if your child has breathing or swallowing difficulties accompanying their cough they would need to be evaluated by a health care provider.

So what can you as a parent do to address a viral cough? The recommended at home treatment by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children over one year of age is 1-2 teaspoons of honey at bedtime depending on the age of the child. (Younger children a smaller dose, older children the larger dose.) Honey has natural antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and helps to coat an irritated throat. Honey has shown to be more effective in research than dextromethorphan (the active ingredient in many cough syrups including Delsym).* The honey can also be mixed with warm freshly squeezed lemon water to provide extra vitamin C and immune enhancing properties.
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Natural Options For Kids’ Cough and Chest Congestion:
Honey: 1-2 tsp at bedtime (1yr+) 
doTerra Breathe Vapor Stick: may be applied to the chest (2 yrs+)
Children’s Chestal Honey Cold: is a homeopathic honey based natural cough syrup for cough and mucous relief (2yrs+)
Children’s Chestal Cough & Mucous Relief: homeopathic (2 yrs+)
​Bronchial Wellness for Kids: is a helpful option for bronchial type coughs. It is a herbal syrup containing lemon, honey, as well as some additional herbal components. (2 yrs+)
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Finally, remember that if you as a parent are concerned about your child’s cough, please contact your health care provider.

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Scratchy Sore Throats

What to do for those miserable scratchy sore throats that often accompany the common cold, viral upper respiratory infections, or the flu that make your child miserable. Most viral sore throats improve within a few days of illness onset. With a little extra care and loving support, children will be on the road to recovery soon.

However, if your child has a prolonged or severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a prolonged high fever, or a rash accompanying the sore throat, they should be evaluated by a medical provider.

Other causes of sore throats may include allergies, inhaled irritants, gastroesophageal reflux or bacterial throat infections such as strep throat. Most viral related sore throats, which are the most common cause of sore throats in children, can be managed at home.

So what are some ways you as a parent can reduce the symptoms associated with a viral sore throat? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends gargling with warm salt water for children old enough to gargle. Most children are able to gargle around 6 years of age.

Natural Options for Kids’ Sore Throats:
Warm salt water gargle: (6 yrs+)
Lemon Honey Tea: warm water + fresh squeezed lemon + 1/2 -1 tsp honey (1yr+ Honey should not be given to infants under 1 yr.)
Lemon Honey Tea with Thyme: Steep 1 tsp thyme for 5 minutes in warm water, drain thyme and add lemon and honey as above. ( 2 years +)
Bee Propolis Lollipops: Kids 6 yrs and older can suck on bee propolis lollipops. Bee propolis has natural antimicrobial properties. Lollipops include Vitamin D and Zinc to additionally support the immune system. (Do not use with children allergic to honey or bees.)
Kid’s Propolis Immune Support Spray: Soothes throats and provides immune support for children 2-12 years old. Contains vitamin C, Zinc, iron, B vitamins and bee propolis.* (Trial with one spray when first using to check for possible allergy. Do not use for children allergic to honey or bees.)
Throat Calm Spray: Cooling mist spray that works on contact to provide sore throat relief without numbing for children 12 years and older.
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🍯Lemon, honey, thyme, and bee propolis all have antimicrobial properties.

👉The above natural pediatric health products should be taken according to product directions and can be obtained through this Fullscript link and may be HSA or FSA eligible.

*References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9824023/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7020168/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20618098/

Interested in natural options for addressing your child’s health challenges? Wellness 4 KIDS is here to help. Contact us for a FREE Pediatric Wellness Discovery Call or learn more at Wellness4KIDS.net