Most toddlers experience occasional, mild breathing problems. In most of the cases, breathing problems in a child are caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or viral bronchitis.
Several home remedies can treat these breathing problems. If your child has persistent breathing problems that last for more than seven days, consult his physician.
An evaluation can determine the presence of another condition, such as asthma, pneumonia or seasonal allergies.
Symptoms And Signs Of Breathing Difficulties
Breathing problems can signal a serious illness. Not all of them require medical attention, but you should be aware of the symptoms that do. Breathing difficulties can crop up in children at any time. Spot the signs of below:
- Hoarse voice
- Raspy breaths and rapid breathing
- Nasal flaring
- Wheezing
- Coughing that sounds like a seal barking
- Sucking or chest caving in, or retraction
- Fever
- Nasal and chest congestion
- Blue skin, lips, or nails.
Home Remedies To Treat Breathing Problems
Ginger
Ginger is one of the natural home treatments for various ailments including breathing problems. Researchers have found that it will help to reduce airway inflammation and inhibit airway contraction.
Plus, studies indicate that it has few compounds that may enhance the muscle relaxant effects of certain breathing problems drugs.
Mix equal quantities of ginger juice, pomegranate juice, and honey. Consume one to two tablespoons of this mixture 3 times a day.
Alternatively, you can mix one teaspoon of ground ginger in one and a half cups of water and take one tablespoon of this mixture at bedtime.
Cut ginger into small pieces and add it to a pot of boiling water. Let it steep for five to six minutes, allow it to cool down and then drink it.
To clean your child’s lungs, prepare a fenugreek decoction by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water and mixing one teaspoon each of ginger juice and honey in it. Drink this solution every morning and evening.
Your child can also eat raw ginger by mixing with salt.
Mustard Oil
When having breathing problems attack, massaging with the mustard oil can help your child to clear their respiratory passages and restore normal breathing.
Heat some amount of mustard oil with a little camphor.
Transfer the oil into a bowl and when it is comfortably warm, gently rub it on the chest and upper back and massage.
Figs
The nutritional properties of figs will promote respiratory health and help drain phlegm and alleviate breathing difficulties.
Wash three dried figs and soak them in a cup of water overnight.
In the morning, your child eats the soaked figs and drink the fig water on an empty stomach.
Continue this home treatment for a couple of months.
Garlic
The following garlic remedy can help clear congestion in lungs during the early stages of breathing problems.
Boil two or three cloves in a one-quarter cup of milk.
Allow it to cool to room temperature and then give them to drink it.
Onions
Onions have anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce constriction of the airways when suffering from breathing problems. Also, the sulfur content in onions helps decrease inflammation in the lungs.
Simply your child can eat raw onions to clear air passageways for better breathing. If your child cannot bear the taste of raw onions, try eating cooked onions.
Lemons
People who are suffering from breathing problems often have low levels of vitamin C. Lemons are rich in this vitamins and antioxidants that can help reduce breathing problems symptoms.
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water and add some sugar according to taste. Drink this regularly to reduce breathing problems attacks.
Oranges, papayas, blueberries, and strawberries are also rich in nutrients that help minimize breathing problems symptoms.
Another option to heat a paste of carom seeds and jaggery and eat one or two teaspoons of this paste twice daily for a few days or until your child gets relief. This remedy is not recommended for diabetics.
Carom Seeds
Carom seeds are also known as Bishop’s weed and ajwain, which also be used to treat mild breathing problems as it acts as a bronchodialator by dilating the bronchial tubes in the lungs.
Boil one teaspoon of carom seeds in some water and inhale the steam, as needed. You can also give your child to drink it.
Another option to heat a paste of carom seeds and jaggery and you can give your child to eat one or two teaspoons of this paste twice daily for a few days or until you get relief. This remedy is not recommended for diabetics.s
For more serious conditions such as bacterial pneumonia, your child may need antibiotics and bronchodilators to treat the infection and subsequent breathing problem.