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Can You Use a Nebulizer to

Treat a Cough?
Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI,
FAAAI — Written by Kristeen Cherney on
December 16, 2019

Cough relief How to use For children

Precautions Seeking help Takeaway

A nebulizer is a type of breathing machine that

lets you inhale medicated vapors.

While not always prescribed for a cough,

nebulizers may be used to relieve coughs and
other symptoms caused by respiratory illnesses.

They’re especially helpful for younger age groups

who may have difficulty using handheld inhalers.

You can’t get a nebulizer without a prescription.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you or a loved
one has a persistent cough that could possibly be
remedied with nebulizer treatments.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits

and potential drawbacks of these breathing
machines.
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How nebulizers relieve coughing

It’s worth considering a nebulizer for cough
relief & , but first determining the underlying cause
of your cough is the most important step.

Coughing is a symptom — not a condition. Your

body uses coughing as a way to respond to lung
or throat irritants.

A cough may be caused by a variety of short-term

and long-term conditions, including:

allergies

asthma

sinusitis

post-nasal drip

smoke exposure

the common cold or flu, including croup

lung irritation

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

(COPD)

acid reflux

pneumonia

bronchitis (or bronchiolitis in very young

children)

cystic fibrosis

heart disease

lung disease

The role of a nebulizer is to quickly provide your

lungs with medication, something that an inhaler
may not be able to do as well.

Nebulizers work with your natural breathing, so

they may be ideal for people who have difficulty
using inhalers, such as babies and small children.

However, you should always talk with your

healthcare provider before using them to make
sure you have the proper medication and dosage
for you or your child.

Check with a doctor before

using
Always ask a doctor before using a
nebulizer to make sure you have the
proper medication and dosage for you or
your child.

A nebulizer treatment may help reduce

inflammation in the lungs and/or open airways,
especially in the case of respiratory illnesses like
asthma.

People with other respiratory diseases like COPD

who have lung-related complications from a cold
or flu may also benefit.

Once the medication works its way into the lungs,

you may find relief from symptoms such as
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness
and coughing.

Nebulizers usually don’t treat the underlying

cause of cough alone though.

A chronic cough requires your healthcare

provider to design a long-term treatment plan to
help reduce your symptoms.

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How to use a nebulizer for cough

relief
Using a nebulizer requires the machine itself,
along with a spacer or a mask to help you breathe
in the vapor.

It also requires liquid medication, such as:

albuterol

hypertonic saline

formoterol

budesonide

ipratropium

Nebulizers may be used on a short-term basis,

such as in the case of an asthma flare-up or
respiratory issues related to a cold.

They’re also sometimes used as preventive

measures to reduce inflammation and constriction
so that you can breathe more easily.

Medicated vapors can also help break up mucus if

you have a virus or a respiratory flare-up.

Having a cough along with other symptoms of a

respiratory flare-up, such as wheezing and trouble
breathing, could indicate the need for a nebulizer.

If you don’t have a nebulizer, your healthcare

provider may prescribe the machine as well as the
necessary medication to use with it. If you already
have a nebulizer, call your healthcare provider for
instructions.

When you turn on the nebulizer, you should see a

vapor coming from the mask or spacer (if not,
double-check that you’ve placed the medication
in properly).

Simply breathe in and out until the machine stops

creating the vapor. This process can take 10 to 20
minutes at a time.

For breathing issues, such as cough, you may

need to use your nebulizer treatment multiple
times per day for relief.
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Using nebulizers to relieve

coughing in children
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.

Many pediatricians will administer a nebulizer on

an outpatient basis for quick respiratory relief in
children.

If your child has chronic breathing problems due

to asthma, their healthcare provider may
prescribe a device for use at home.

Children may be able to breathe medications

easier through a nebulizer, but some might find it
difficult to sit still for the required time it takes to
administer the entire liquid vial (up to 20 minutes).

It’s important to talk to 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.

A nebulizer may complement other respiratory

treatments in such cases.

Precautions to be aware of
When used as directed, a nebulizer is generally
considered safe to use.

However, it’s important that you avoid sharing

medications with family members or loved ones. A
healthcare provider needs to determine the right
medication to use in the nebulizer based on an
individual’s health needs.

Nebulizers can also cause more harm than good if

you don’t keep them clean.

As liquid is emitted through the machine, this type

of device can be a breeding ground for mold. It’s
important to clean and dry the tubes, spacers, 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 are able to air
dry.

When to see a doctor

A cough can last for 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 provider for other options.

You may consider emergency medical help if your

child is showing signs of breathing difficulties,
which includes:

audible wheezing

persistent cough

shortness of breath

bluish skin

You should also seek emergency care if a cough

is accompanied by:

bloody mucus

chest pain

vomiting

dizziness or fainting

choking sensations
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Key takeaways
A nebulizer is just one way you can treat a cough,
usually a cough that’s caused by airway
inflammation.

This method works by treating the underlying

causes of the cough itself so that you can get
relief from symptoms overall.

You shouldn’t use a nebulizer without first

identifying the cause of your cough. See a
healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and
medication recommendations before using a
nebulizer.

Read this article in Spanish.

Last medically reviewed on December 16, 2019

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