What are the methods for children to relieve cough and phlegm

Children can relieve cough and phlegm by adjusting their diet, patting their backs to expel phlegm, inhaling steam, massaging acupoints, and intervening with medication. Coughing and phlegm production may be related to respiratory infections, allergic reactions, environmental stimuli, and other factors. It is recommended that parents seek medical attention promptly to clarify the cause.

1. Adjust diet

Moderate consumption of warm honey water or pear soup can help dilute sputum, and honey should be kept for children over 1 year old. Boiling white radish with mustard oil can promote ciliary movement in the airways, while the volatile oil in tangerine peel soaked in water can alleviate bronchial spasms. Avoid consuming cold drinks, sweet and greasy foods, and spicy irritants to prevent exacerbating mucosal congestion.

2. Patting the back to expel phlegm

Parents should arch their palms into a hollow shape and gently pat from bottom to top on the back for 3-5 minutes each time, 2 hours before or after meals. This method utilizes the principle of vibration to loosen the bronchial wall sputum, making it particularly suitable for infants and young children with thick sputum. Be careful to avoid the spinal area and apply force that children do not resist.

3. Steam inhalation

Open a hot water environment in a closed bathroom to create steam. Parents should accompany their children to inhale for 10-15 minutes, twice a day. Warm steam can moisten the airway mucosa and relieve throat itching caused by dry cough. You can add a small amount of perilla leaves or mint leaves to enhance the phlegm resolving effect, but be alert to the possibility of allergies.

4. Acupoint massage

Rub and press the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples at Tiantu point and Danzhong point on the sternum for 100 times each, combined with the technique of pushing the scapula separately. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this method can promote lung function, lower qi, and facilitate the discharge of phlegm. Apply baby oil before operation to reduce friction, with a slight redness of the skin as the intensity. Do not use during fever periods.

5. Drug intervention

Bacterial infections can be treated with pediatric lung heat cough asthma oral solution according to medical advice. For wind heat cough, pediatric lung clearing phlegm resolving granules are suitable. For phlegm accumulation caused by allergic factors, Montelukast sodium chewable tablets can be considered. Traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations, such as fresh bamboo juice, is suitable for cough due to phlegm heat. Acetylcysteine particles can decompose mucin. All drugs must be used strictly according to the age limit specified in the instructions.

Maintain indoor humidity between 50% -60% and open windows for ventilation three times a day. Raise the head of the bed by 15 degrees at night to reduce nasal drip irritation and avoid contact with allergens such as dust mites and pet hair. If coughing is accompanied by high fever, rapid breathing, or blood in sputum, seek medical attention immediately to check for diseases such as pneumonia and asthma. For dietotherapy, try Sichuan shellfish stewed with pear or lily Broth of white fungus. If you cough continuously for more than one week, you need to review the adjustment plan.