COUGH IN KIDS

A dry cough produces little or no mucus or sputum. A dry, hacking cough may develop toward the end of a cold or after exposure to an irritant, such as dust or smoke.

Conventional medicines such as ‘cough suppressants’ reduce the activity of the cough reflex and suppresses the urge to cough. They work by suppressing dry, hacking cough that keeps you awake all night.

Cough Suppressants are also known as ‘Antitussives’. A commonly available antitussive in the market is Dextromethorphan.

Cough is one of the most common and troublesome presenting symptoms in children. Treat symptoms of cough with only the required ingredients. And ease the burden by using ‘single ingredient’ products to avoid an unintentional overdose of any one ingredient.

Problems are usually the result of giving too much medicine. Overdose may happen when you give:

• More than the recommended amount of medicine.

• Two different products with the same active ingredients — not realizing that both contain identical medicines.

• Giving the medicine too often.

To avoid giving too much medicine to your child, carefully follow the directions for use of the product.

Do not use cough and cold products in children under 2 years of age unless directed by a physician.

If other medicines are being given to a child, the child’s physician should review and approve their combined use.

Read the label and follow the dosage instructions.

Follow the directions. Do not give the medicine more often or in greater amounts than is stated on the pack.

If a child’s condition worsens or does not improve, stop using the product and immediately take the child to the doctor.