Just like adults, there are many reasons why children might develop a cough. In most instances, a child’s cough is nothing to worry about. However, in some cases, like in the case of chronic coughing, it may warrant a visit with a pediatrician to determine the cause.
Let’s examine a few of the most common causes of coughing in children as well as treatment options.
Four Common Causes of Coughing in Children
- Common cold. It’s that time of year when it seems like everyone has a cold. In children, colds can often produce a wet, productive cough which means it produces mucus or phlegm. Medical attention is rarely needed for a cold, and most kids recover in a few days after getting some rest and plenty of fluids.
- RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has similar symptoms to a cold but can be much more serious and potentially life-threatening in infants and young children. If your child has labored breathing that is hard and fast and/or you can see their chest sinking in and ribs going out with each breath, contact their doctor immediately.
- Asthma: Asthma is a common childhood illness. One symptom of asthma is a chronic cough that is worsened by certain triggers, such as cold air, having a virus, excitement, exercise, laughing, and being exposed to certain pollutants or triggers like cigarette smoke or poor air quality. Contact a doctor if your child’s cough is accompanied by wheezing during exhalation.
- Allergies: Seasonal allergies can cause a cough in some children. Additionally, they will experience symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and sneezing. Unlike a cold, allergies should not cause a fever or body aches. Their symptoms might also be more noticeable in places where pollen is high, like Sesquicentennial State Park. If your child has persistent allergy symptoms, their doctor may recommend allergy medication in addition to avoiding their exposure to triggers whenever possible.
What if My Child’s Cough Won’t Go Away?
If you’ve tried letting your child rest along with other home remedies and their cough seems to be lingering, it may be time to make an appointment with a doctor. All children with a “persistent cough, i.e. a cough lasting more than 4-8 weeks or “chronic cough”, must be carefully evaluated in other to rule out specific causes that may include the entire pediatric pulmonology spectrum.”
A thorough examination will identify the cause of your child’s coughing and allow their doctor to recommend the best treatment plan available to help with their symptoms.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric experts, contact Palmetto ENT & Allergy today.