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URLhttps://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/
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Meta TitleCoughs: Meds or Home Remedies?
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Medicines (OTC) Over-the-Counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines can cause side effects. These side effects can be serious in young children. The risks of using these medicines outweigh any benefits. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends these medicines never be used in young children. After age 6, the medicines are safe to use, if you follow the package instructions. But, it's easy to treat coughs and colds without these medicines. Home Remedies: A good home remedy is safe, cheap, and as helpful as OTC medicines. They are also found in nearly every home. Here are some simple but helpful home treatments. Runny Nose : Just suction it or blow it. Teach your child how to blow the nose at age 2 or 3. When your child's nose runs like a faucet, it's getting rid of viruses. Allergy medicines (such as Benadryl) do not help the average cold.  They are useful only if your child has nasal allergies (hay fever). Blocked Nose : Use nasal saline. Use saline (salt water) nose drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don't have saline, you can use a few drops of water. Use distilled water, bottled water or boiled tap water. Step 1: put 3 drops in each nostril. If age under 1 year old, use 1 drop. Step 2: blow (or suction) each nostril separately, while closing off the other nostril. Then do other side. Step 3: repeat nose drops and blowing (or suctioning) until the discharge is clear. How Often: do nasal saline rinses when your child can't breathe through the nose. Limit: if under 1 year old, no more than 4 times per day or before every feeding. Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed. Reason for nose drops: suction or blowing alone can't remove dried or sticky mucus. Also, babies can't nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open. Other option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow (or suction) each nostril. For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus. Medicines. There are no drugs that can remove dried mucus from the nose. Coughing: Use homemade cough medicines. Age 1 year and older. Use honey ½ to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) as needed. It thins the secretions and loosens the cough. Research shows that honey works better than cough syrups to reduce nighttime coughing. Can also offer warm apple juice or herbal tea.  Age 6 years and older. Use Cough Drops to decrease the tickle in the throat. Avoid cough drops before 6 years. Reason: risk of choking. Coughing fits. The warm mist from a shower can help. Fluids: Help your child drink lots of fluids. Staying well hydrated thins the body's secretions. That makes it easier to cough and blow the nose. Humidity: If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Moist air keeps the nose and airway from drying out. Run a warm shower for a while to help put moisture in the air. Treatment is Not Always Needed: If symptoms aren't bothering your child, they don't need medicine or any treatment. Many children with a cough or cold are happy, play fine and sleep well. Only treat symptoms if they cause discomfort or wake your child up. Treat a cough if it's hacking and really bothers your child. Fevers are helpful. Only treat them if they slow your child down or cause some discomfort. That does not occur until 102° F (39° C) or higher. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can be given. Use to treat higher fever or pain. See Dose tables. Summary If coughs or colds need treatment, home remedies may work better than medicines. Last Reviewed: 05/01/2025 Last Revised: 03/04/2025 Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
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[Skip to navigation menu](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/#nav) [Skip to content](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/#main-content) - [MyChart](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/patients-families/mychart/ "MyChart") - [Telemedicine](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/telemedicine/ "Telemedicine") - [Healthcare Professionals](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/healthcare-professionals/ "Healthcare Professionals") - [Careers](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/careers/ "Careers") - [Alerts](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/#sitewide-alerts "Alerts") - [Donate Now](https://give.seattlechildrens.org/give/284150/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=dotorg&c_src2=global-donate-button "Donate Now") - [I want to …](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/) - - [Go to MyChart](https://mychart.seattlechildrens.org/mychart/authentication/login) - [Find a Doctor](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/directory/) - [Make an Appointment](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/schedule-appointment/) - [Find a Location](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/) - [Visit ED or Urgent Care](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/urgent-care-clinic/emergency-or-urgent-care/) - - [Get Driving Directions](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/) - [Refill a Prescription](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/pharmacy/) - [Contact Children's](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/contact/) - [Pay My Bill](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/pay-my-bill/) - [Estimate My Cost](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/price-transparency/) - [Apply for Financial Assistance](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/financial-assistance/) - [Request My Medical Records](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/health-info-management/) - [Find Patient Education](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/patients-families/patient-education/) - [Volunteer](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/volunteer/ "Volunteer") - [Donate](https://give.seattlechildrens.org/give/284150/#!/donation/checkout "Donate") - - [Refer and Manage a Patient](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/healthcare-professionals/refer/) [Search](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/#nav) - [Your Visit](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/patients-families/) - [Conditions](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/) - [Clinics](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/) - [Research](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/research/) - [Health & Safety](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/) - [Giving](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/) - [Press Room](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/media/) Menu - [I want to …](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/coughs-meds-or-home-remedies/) - - [Go to MyChart](https://mychart.seattlechildrens.org/mychart/authentication/login) - [Find a Doctor](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/directory/) - [Make an Appointment](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/schedule-appointment/) - [Find a Location](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/) - [Visit ED or Urgent Care](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/urgent-care-clinic/emergency-or-urgent-care/) - - [Get Driving Directions](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/) - [Refill a Prescription](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/pharmacy/) - [Contact Children's](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/contact/) - [Pay My Bill](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/pay-my-bill/) - [Estimate My Cost](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/price-transparency/) - [Apply for Financial Assistance](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/financial-assistance/) - [Request My Medical Records](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/health-info-management/) - [Find Patient Education](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/patients-families/patient-education/) - [Volunteer](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/volunteer/ "Volunteer") - [Donate](https://give.seattlechildrens.org/give/284150/#!/donation/checkout "Donate") - - [Refer and Manage a Patient](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/healthcare-professionals/refer/) [Donate Now](https://give.seattlechildrens.org/give/284150/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=dotorg&c_src2=global-donate-button "Donate Now") - Main Menu - On This Page Jump to a section on this page: - [Conditions](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/) - [All Conditions (A to Z)](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/) # Coughs: Meds or Home Remedies? ### Medicines (OTC) Over-the-Counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines can cause side effects. These side effects can be serious in young children. The risks of using these medicines outweigh any benefits. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends these medicines never be used in young children. After age 6, the medicines are safe to use, if you follow the package instructions. But, it's easy to treat coughs and colds without these medicines. ### Home Remedies: A good home remedy is safe, cheap, and as helpful as OTC medicines. They are also found in nearly every home. Here are some simple but helpful home treatments. - **Runny Nose**: Just suction it or blow it. Teach your child how to blow the nose at age 2 or 3. When your child's nose runs like a faucet, it's getting rid of viruses. Allergy medicines (such as Benadryl) do not help the average cold. They are useful only if your child has nasal allergies (hay fever). - **Blocked Nose**: Use nasal saline. - Use saline (salt water) nose drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don't have saline, you can use a few drops of water. Use distilled water, bottled water or boiled tap water. - Step 1: put 3 drops in each nostril. If age under 1 year old, use 1 drop. - Step 2: blow (or suction) each nostril separately, while closing off the other nostril. Then do other side. - Step 3: repeat nose drops and blowing (or suctioning) until the discharge is clear. - How Often: do nasal saline rinses when your child can't breathe through the nose. Limit: if under 1 year old, no more than 4 times per day or before every feeding. - Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed. - Reason for nose drops: suction or blowing alone can't remove dried or sticky mucus. Also, babies can't nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open. - Other option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow (or suction) each nostril. - For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus. - Medicines. There are no drugs that can remove dried mucus from the nose. - **Coughing:** Use homemade cough medicines. - Age 1 year and older. Use honey \½ to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) as needed. It thins the secretions and loosens the cough. Research shows that honey works better than cough syrups to reduce nighttime coughing. Can also offer warm apple juice or herbal tea. - Age 6 years and older. Use Cough Drops to decrease the tickle in the throat. Avoid cough drops before 6 years. Reason: risk of choking. - Coughing fits. The warm mist from a shower can help. - **Fluids:** Help your child drink lots of fluids. Staying well hydrated thins the body's secretions. That makes it easier to cough and blow the nose. - **Humidity:** If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Moist air keeps the nose and airway from drying out. Run a warm shower for a while to help put moisture in the air. ### Treatment is Not Always Needed: - If symptoms aren't bothering your child, they don't need medicine or any treatment. Many children with a cough or cold are happy, play fine and sleep well. - Only treat symptoms if they cause discomfort or wake your child up. Treat a cough if it's hacking and really bothers your child. - Fevers are helpful. Only treat them if they slow your child down or cause some discomfort. That does not occur until 102° F (39° C) or higher. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can be given. Use to treat higher fever or pain. See Dose tables. ### Summary If coughs or colds need treatment, home remedies may work better than medicines. ## Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations **If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.** - [Bellevue](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/urgent-care-bellevue/ "Bellevue") - [Everett](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/urgent-care-everett/ "Everett") - [Federal Way](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/urgent-care-federal-way/ "Federal Way") - [Seattle](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/urgent-care-seattle/ "Seattle") - [Virtual Urgent Care](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/urgent-care-clinic/virtual-urgent-care/ "Virtual Urgent Care") Last Reviewed: 05/01/2025 Last Revised: 03/04/2025 Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC. ### Should your child see a doctor? Find out by selecting your child's symptom or health condition in the list below: Select a Symptom [All Symptoms](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/symptom-index/) About Us - [About Seattle Children’s](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about/ "About Seattle Children’s") - [Contact Us](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/contact/ "Contact Us") - [Locations](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/ "Locations") - [Visiting Seattle Children’s](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/patients-families/ "Visiting Seattle Children’s") - [Press Releases](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/media/press-releases/ "Press Releases") - [Price Transparency](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/paying-for-care/price-transparency/ "Price Transparency") Community - [Healthcare Professionals](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/healthcare-professionals/ "Healthcare Professionals") - [Events](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/events/ "Events") - [Classes](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/classes-events/ "Classes") - [Volunteering](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/volunteer/ "Volunteering") Experience and Outcomes - [Advancing Healthcare Experience and Outcomes](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about/healthcare-experience-outcomes/ "Advancing Healthcare Experience and Outcomes") - [Values](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about/mission-vision-values/ "Values") - [Nondiscrimination and Interpreters Notice](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/patients-families/nondiscrimination-interpreters-notice/ "Nondiscrimination and Interpreters Notice") - [Accessibility and Special Needs](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/locations/hospital-campus/accessibility/ "Accessibility and Special Needs") About This Site - [About This Website](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about-this-site/ "About This Website") - [Feedback](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about-this-site/web-site-feedback/ "Feedback") - [Terms of Use](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about-this-site/terms-of-use/ "Website Terms of Use") - [Privacy](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about-this-site/website-privacy/ "Privacy") - [My Health My Data](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about-this-site/my-health-my-data/ "My Health My Data") - [Notice of Privacy Practices](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about-this-site/notice-of-privacy-practices/ "Notice of Privacy Practices") - [Employees](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/employees/ "Employees") - [Working From Home and Remote Access Help](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/remoteaccesshelp/ "Working From Home and Remote Access Help") - [Vendors](https://login.ghx.com/identity-service/login "Vendors") ©2026 Seattle Children’s Hospital 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 [206-987-2000](tel:+1-206-987-2000 "Telephone") [866-987-2000 (toll-free)](tel:+1-866-987-2000 "Telephone") [206-987-0391 (TTY)](tel:+1-206-987-0391 "Telephone") [![U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll Badge](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/images/__global-icons--images/best-childrens-hospitals-honor-roll.png)](https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/wa/seattle-childrens-hospital-6910560 "Ranked in 10 Specialties by U.S. News & World Report") [![Forbes America's Best Large Employers](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/images/logos-and-badges/forbes-able-logo.png)](https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-large-employers/ "Forbes America's Best Large Employers 2026") [![Magnet Recognized Nursing Program](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/images/logos-and-badges/ancc-magnet.png)](https://www.nursingworld.org/magnet/ "Magnet Recognized Nursing Program") [![Children's Miracle Network Hospitals](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/images/logos-and-badges/childrens-miracle-network-hospitals-logo.png)](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/business/miracle-network/ "Children's Miracle Network Hospitals") Seattle Children’s complies with applicable federal and other civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people or treat them differently based on race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry), age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. 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Readable Markdown
### Medicines (OTC) Over-the-Counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines can cause side effects. These side effects can be serious in young children. The risks of using these medicines outweigh any benefits. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends these medicines never be used in young children. After age 6, the medicines are safe to use, if you follow the package instructions. But, it's easy to treat coughs and colds without these medicines. ### Home Remedies: A good home remedy is safe, cheap, and as helpful as OTC medicines. They are also found in nearly every home. Here are some simple but helpful home treatments. - **Runny Nose**: Just suction it or blow it. Teach your child how to blow the nose at age 2 or 3. When your child's nose runs like a faucet, it's getting rid of viruses. Allergy medicines (such as Benadryl) do not help the average cold. They are useful only if your child has nasal allergies (hay fever). - **Blocked Nose**: Use nasal saline. - Use saline (salt water) nose drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don't have saline, you can use a few drops of water. Use distilled water, bottled water or boiled tap water. - Step 1: put 3 drops in each nostril. If age under 1 year old, use 1 drop. - Step 2: blow (or suction) each nostril separately, while closing off the other nostril. Then do other side. - Step 3: repeat nose drops and blowing (or suctioning) until the discharge is clear. - How Often: do nasal saline rinses when your child can't breathe through the nose. Limit: if under 1 year old, no more than 4 times per day or before every feeding. - Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed. - Reason for nose drops: suction or blowing alone can't remove dried or sticky mucus. Also, babies can't nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open. - Other option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow (or suction) each nostril. - For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus. - Medicines. There are no drugs that can remove dried mucus from the nose. - **Coughing:** Use homemade cough medicines. - Age 1 year and older. Use honey \½ to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) as needed. It thins the secretions and loosens the cough. Research shows that honey works better than cough syrups to reduce nighttime coughing. Can also offer warm apple juice or herbal tea. - Age 6 years and older. Use Cough Drops to decrease the tickle in the throat. Avoid cough drops before 6 years. Reason: risk of choking. - Coughing fits. The warm mist from a shower can help. - **Fluids:** Help your child drink lots of fluids. Staying well hydrated thins the body's secretions. That makes it easier to cough and blow the nose. - **Humidity:** If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Moist air keeps the nose and airway from drying out. Run a warm shower for a while to help put moisture in the air. ### Treatment is Not Always Needed: - If symptoms aren't bothering your child, they don't need medicine or any treatment. Many children with a cough or cold are happy, play fine and sleep well. - Only treat symptoms if they cause discomfort or wake your child up. Treat a cough if it's hacking and really bothers your child. - Fevers are helpful. Only treat them if they slow your child down or cause some discomfort. That does not occur until 102° F (39° C) or higher. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can be given. Use to treat higher fever or pain. See Dose tables. ### Summary If coughs or colds need treatment, home remedies may work better than medicines. Last Reviewed: 05/01/2025 Last Revised: 03/04/2025 Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
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