Mucus is a slimy clear fluid that normally flows from glands in your nose and sinuses down the throat and into your gastrointestinal tract. It serves several important functions, including lubricating your throat and helping trap germs that could infect the lungs. Under normal conditions, your body produces just enough mucus to keep you healthy. But when triggered by illness or allergies, your glands produce too much mucus which may drip down the back of your throat and irritate it, causing a pesky cough.
The good news is that many things you can do at home help relieve this annoying symptom. For instance, drinking plenty of fluids helps thin and loosen mucus so it can be coughed up more easily. It also helps if you drink warm liquids like broth or tea. You can also use a humidifier to add moisture to dry air, which can make symptoms worse. Another simple but effective home remedy is taking a hot shower and inhaling the steam, which can soothe an irritated throat and loosen mucus, making it easier to cough up.
If your child's post nasal drip is caused by allergies, avoiding allergens can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of your child's symptoms. Keeping pets out of the house, washing sheets frequently in hot water, using HEPA filters in the home and car, removing carpets and reducing indoor pollutants and a host of other strategies can all help. In addition, an over-the-counter allergy medication like Claritin can be helpful in preventing or relieving your child's allergy-induced post nasal drip. Genexa's Kids Cough & Chest Congestion oral suspension medication is also an excellent over-the-counter choice that works hard to thicken and loosen mucus, control a cough and relieve chest congestion, which is exactly what your kid needs when suffering from post nasal drip.