Sugar-Free Cough Medicine

There are two common types of cough, a dry, tickly cough and a chesty, mucus cough, and they’re pretty easy to tell apart.

If you have a dry cough you won’t produce any mucus or phlegm when you cough.

On the other hand, if you have a chesty cough you’ll bring up phlegm when you have a good coughing session.

Different types of cough need different types of cough medicine, which is why there are so many available.

Keeping your child hydrated is vital when they have a cough as water helps the body to fight illness and keeps their airways clear.

When they’re sleeping, elevate their head to relieve nasal congestion, and introduce a humidifier to prevent their throat from becoming dry and irritated.

You may wish to apply a vapour rub to their skin to help clear their airways or administer cough medicine.

Always speak to a doctor or pharmacist beforehand so they can advise which type of cough your child has and if it’s safe to use at their age.

Children’s cough medicine for chesty coughs is usually only suitable for kids aged 6 and over and is not right for babies.

If your baby or young child has a chesty cough, we’d recommend asking your doctor or pharmacist for advice, as they can recommend suitable treatment and doctors can provide a prescription if needed.

Dry cough medicines are available for children aged 3 months and over.

These cough medicines often contain an ingredient called glycerin or glycerol, which coats the back of the throat, soothing and lubricating the area and reducing your little one’s dry cough in the process.

Glycerin cough medicines are available from popular brands like Benylin, CalCough, and Tixylix, so you’ll be sure to find one that’s right for your child.

If you’re not sure which cough syrup will be suitable for your child for any reason, ask your doctor or pharmacist for some advice.