How to Use a Nebulizer to Help with Cough

When do you need a nebulizer?

A nebulizer treatment may help reduce inflammation in the lungs or help open up airways.

A cough and other respiratory flare-up symptoms, such as wheezing and trouble breathing, could indicate the need for a breathing treatment such as a nebulizer.

Before using a nebulizer, a doctor must determine the cause of your cough. Coughing is a symptom, not a condition. Your body uses coughing to respond to lung or throat irritants.

Potential times you may need a nebulizer to treat a cough include:

• during an asthma flare up
• if you have COPD with lung-related complications from colds or flu
• to help break up mucus if you have a virus or other respiratory illness

However, nebulizers generally treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause of the cough, and are typically only used in the short term.

A healthcare professional can help you with any underlying conditions contributing to your cough. If you have a chronic cough (lasting longer than 2 to 3 weeks), you’ll likely need a treatment plan that manages your symptoms long term.

How to use a nebulizer

To use a nebulizer, you need a mask and tubing apparatus in addition to the machine to help you breathe in the vapor. A healthcare professional will also prescribe you medication to use along with the machine.

When you turn on your nebulizer, you should see vapor coming from the mask (if not, double-check that you’ve placed the medication properly). Also, ensure the tubing is connected securely at both ends and there’s a good power source for the machine to run.

Place the mask over your face and simply breathe in and out until the machine stops creating the vapor. This process can take 10 to 20 minutes at a time. You can breathe normally and do not need to take deeper breaths.

For a cough and other breathing issues, you may need to use your nebulizer treatment multiple times daily for relief.

Can children use nebulizers for a cough?

Nebulizers can also be used for children, but only if they have a prescription from a pediatrician. In other words, you should not use your own nebulizer and medication to relieve your child’s cough, even if you own one.

Many pediatricians will administer a nebulizer on an outpatient basis for quick respiratory relief in children. If your child has long-term breathing issues due to asthma, their healthcare professional may prescribe a home device.

Children may be able to breathe medications more easily through a nebulizer. However, some might find it difficult to sit still for the required time (up to 20 minutes) to administer the entire liquid vial.

It’s important to talk with your child’s pediatrician about all the options available to treat a cough.

The exact treatment depends on whether the cough is acute or chronic and whether your child has asthma or another underlying respiratory illness. In such cases, a nebulizer may be used together with other respiratory treatments.

What to be aware of

When used as directed, a nebulizer is generally considered safe to use.

However, nebulizers can cause more harm than good if they aren’t kept sufficiently clean.

Nebulizers can retain moisture, which can become a breeding ground for mold. Therefore, it’s important to clean and dry the tubes and masks immediately after each use.

Follow the cleaning instructions that come with your nebulizer machine. You may be able to clean it with soap and sterile water, rubbing alcohol, or a dishwasher. Make sure all pieces air dry.

It’s a good idea to regularly check all your equipment for signs of damage or mold.

When to see a doctor

A cough can last several days, especially if you’re healing from a virus related to a cold or flu. A worsening cough, though, is a cause for concern.

If you have a lingering cough that continues to worsen or if it lasts longer than 3 weeks, see a healthcare professional for other options.

Takeaway

A nebulizer is just one way to treat a cough, usually one caused by airway inflammation.

You shouldn’t use a nebulizer without first identifying the cause of your cough. See a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and medication recommendations before using a nebulizer.

Read this article in Spanish.