A dry cough in children is usually the result of a prior infection of the nose, the throat and the trachea due to cold or flu. Dry coughs often get more intense in a warm room and especially if the child has gone to sleep. In some cases, the development of a dry cough in children could also be an early sign or the early stages of an infection of the lower respiratory tract. Inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchioles, usually results in dry cough and sometimes even the initial stages of pneumonia can be diagnosed through dry coughs.
Although coughs among toddlers and young children can be extremely distressing for any parent it is important to know certain symptoms of the child in order to save the parent or guardian the time and unnecessary worrying. Refrain from using non-prescription or over-the-counter cough medications to suppress the cough; as such medications are believed to be more harmful for the child, rather than helping to alleviate the symptoms. Try a humidifier that can provide a cool mist, in order to help with the symptoms of cold and flu. Small sips of water can be had at bedtime to relieve the dry cough.
Speak to your child's pediatrician or your medical practitioner for solutions from dry cough. Any kind of cough that lasts for more than two weeks must be brought to the attention of your physician. In most cases cough is a natural outcome of cold and flu and usually disappears under two weeks.
If the continuous coughing is not abated even with prescribed medicines, request your doctor to check for bronchial disorders or pneumonia. Although in most cases of cold, it usually clears up on its own; ensure that your little child has plenty of rest throughout the day and is also drinking plenty of warm fluids. In order to help soothe your child's nose, try saline drops to ease the nasal congestion. Regular steam inhalations help in soothing the nasal passages and clear the obstruction in the throat causing the dry cough. Raise your child's health with the help of an extra pillow to help bring some relief from the dry cough.
You can also give a teaspoon of honey to your little one, as it helps in easing the cough and brings relief from the symptoms. As far as possible, try to avoid physical exertion which only aggravates the coughing and compounds breathing troubles.