Cough

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Cough: Home Care & Treatment

• Cough lozenges or hard candy can help dry, tickling coughs. These should never be given to a child under 3 years old because of the risk of choking.
• A vaporizer or steamy shower may help a dry cough by increasing the humidity in the air.
• Drink extra fluids to help thin the secretions in your throat and make them easier to cough up.
• Zinc lozenges may reduce the intensity of your cold symptoms, especially your cough.

Medications available without a prescription include:

• Guaifenesin (like Robitussin), which may help you bring up phlegm. Drink lots of fluids if taking this medication.
• Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan (Vicks 44, Robitussin DM) may lessen your cough. Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing the underlying condition. Therefore, you may not want to supress the cough unless it is interfering with sleep or other factors important for healing.
• Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, can be used to clear a stuffy, runny nose accompanying your cough, especially if you have postnasal drip. These should not be used if you have high blood pressure or for a child under six years old unless prescribed by your doctor.

Don't expect a physician to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies.