Cold and cough - #19200
My daughter is 22 months old. She is also teething. The climate here is super hot. She is suffering from cold and have bad cough. I have tried few home remedies and even saline nasal drops but nothing is working this time. She is going to be school whereby exposure to other kids and water play twice a week.
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Doctors’ responses
Hi Sonal,
How long has been your daughter experiencing this? What does her diet look like? Is she taking any medicines now? Does she frequently get affected with the cough and cold?
Hello Sonal, Since your daughter is teething and exposed to other kids, her immunity may be low. Does she have fever, congestion, or breathing difficulty? Is the cough dry or with mucus? Does she get frequent colds?
Give her warm ajwain and tulsi water throughout the day. Avoid cold, fried, and dairy-heavy foods as they increase mucus. Offer light, warm soups, moong dal khichdi, and fresh seasonal fruits. Apply warm mustard oil with garlic on her chest and back before bedtime.
Steam inhalation with ajwain or eucalyptus leaves can help clear congestion. Massage her feet with warm ghee at night. Ensure she stays hydrated with lukewarm water. If symptoms persist, consult a pediatric Ayurvedic doctor.
Is the cough has expectorant ? Of yes , of what colour?
Having a little one who’s dealing with teething and a bad cough in the middle of a hot climate sounds definitely challenging. You’ve mentioned she’s exposed to other kids at school, which could add to the exposure of viruses or allergens. It’s common among children that exposure leads to cold and cough, especially with teething, where immunity can be slightly down.
One thing you might try is supporting her Agni, or digestive fire, which in Ayurveda is crucial even for immunity. You could consider giving her a small amount of Ajwain (carom seeds) water. Take a teaspoon of ajwain, boil it in water, and let it cool. A few sips of this might help cleanse the respiratory pathways and support that immune system.
For her cough, a soothing suggestion is warm milk with a pinch of turmeric and jaggery. It works as a natural expectorant. Of course, with toddlers, monitoring for any allergic reactions is essential when introducing new ingrediets.
Teething brings its own challenges, right? A gentle gum massage with a little ghee (clarified butter) can be calming, for both her gums and her mood. Helps soothe some of that irritation.
Given that she’s going to school with water activities, drying her hair thoroughly and making sure she doesn’t stay in wet clothes can prevent further cold exposure.
But hey, if she’s really struggling, it’s wise to consult with her pediatrician too, especially if her cough persists or if she has trouble breathing. They can rule out any bacterial infection that might require more immediate attention.
Lastly, keeping her well hydrated in this intense heat is super important. Think coconut water for replenishing electrolytes and maintaining energy levels.
I know it may sound overwhelming, but little changes can really help. It’ll pass. Keep her comfortable and monitored, she’ll bounce back soon.

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