Q: any experience with a persistent nigthtime cough in children?

Asthma, Allergies?: Nighttime cough is often caused by asthma, although allergies are also a problem - especially in Texas. Chronic or persistent cough could be caused by pneumonia, foreign body, viral infections, or even pertussis. Visit your doctor for an exam; a chest X-ray may be needed. Consider using an allergy medicine to see if this helps. Call for a sick visit for difficulty breathing or audible wheezing.

Q: why does my cough get worse at night or first in the morning?

Depends on age: In children a cough at night may be an indication of chronic adenoiditis; possibly even sinusitis. In an adult i would lean more towards acid reflux as a cause.

Question 1

what can i give my 3 year old for horrible dry cough? he has coughing fits that keep him up at night. most medicines for children say age 6+.

Accepted Answer

Coughing: Steam him in the shower and then use salt water nose drops. Use a bulb syringe to suck up mucus in childs nose, use a vaporizer at night as well as elevated mattress. Push fluids and reduce milk.Tea and honey can be helpful as well as vaporub on the chest.

Question 2

helo docs, can you please tell me if theres any home remedies for children who r suffering from severe cough  for years specially at night during bed time... and also neithers cought expect syrup npr anti biotic is wrking. .. has tried so many docs presc

Accepted Answer

Clean air: Night cough is often related to non specific irritants in the sleeping environment. These include dust, fumes, smoke, fragrance of cleaning agents or dryer sheets and the like. If you can smell it it can irritate the airway  & make kids cough. Dust mites also get into the weave of the pillow or mattress & build up over time. Kids that are sensitive get a super exposure every time they go to bed.

Question 3

5 1/2 yr old takes children's claritin every am but is still plagued with allergic cough - worse at night. ok to dose with benadryl (diphenhydramine) in the pm?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Be sure to speak with your pediatrician or allergy-immunology specialist regarding an appropriate dose for your child's weight. Often times severe allergies are treated with antihistamines alone like claritin/nondrowsy and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) together. Other options are available if Benadryl (diphenhydramine) doesn't work. Sedation and dry mouth are common side effects. Consider saline spray and environmental changes.

Question 4

is it ok to give my 5 year old children's benadryl and childrens mucinex cough? she has bad allergies which makes her cough mostly at night.

Accepted Answer

MGT: I would not advise giving these medications to your child based on the information provided. 
I would suggest an over the counter anti histamine such as Claritin instead which is less sedating.
The underlying cause of her nighttime cough should be further evaluated by her PCP. Does she have a history of asthma? Is there smoke exposure?

Question 5

hi dr

my 10 months old son is having a flue and he is vomiting sometime when i feed him and at night he doesnt sleep well. his nose are congested.. i have these med at home rinex syrup for children, prospan cough syrup, panado, nasonex spray.. ?

Accepted Answer

Still rather young: In the US, the recommendation is not to use cold medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, and cough suppressants in babies or young children who have typical cold or flu symptoms. We do use asthma medications when there are asthma symptoms, which can include wheezing, coughing, etc... Doctor can evaluate. Sometimes Tamiflu is used for influenza.

Question 6

what can stop acute cough in children?

Accepted Answer

Identify trigger : There are many reasons for cough and the treatment depends on the cause of the cough.   Severe cough may indicate a foreign body in the airway or esophagus (food tube), infection or post nasal drip.  Rather than suppress the cough, a child should be evaluated to make sure there is no severe underlying lung condition.

Question 7

why do i cough when i lay down at night?

Accepted Answer

Cough when lying: May be reflux, or post nasal drip , even asthmatic may cough as your lungs are more compressed when ying down.  Check PFTs, check for reflux consider ranitidine/ prevecid if have reflux,  consider zyrtec before bed to decrease nasal congestion and  post nasal drip if that is present. f/u /w/ doc

Question 8

can you describe how to cure cough in children?

Accepted Answer

Depends on Cause: Otc cough suppressants for children contain mainly dextromethorphan, a mild cough suppressant.  Some studies show honey to be equally/more effective for soothing cough (never give to children <1yo).  If caused is posterior nasal drip, consider use of antihistamine.  If due to inflammation (wheezing) in lungs, child may benefit from bronchodilator tx (albuterol) and/or steroid therapy.

Question 9

any experience with a persistent nigthtime cough in children?

Accepted Answer

Asthma, Allergies?: Nighttime cough is often caused by asthma, although allergies are also a problem - especially in Texas. Chronic or persistent cough could be caused by pneumonia, foreign body, viral infections, or even pertussis. Visit your doctor for an exam; a chest X-ray may be needed. Consider using an allergy medicine to see if this helps. Call for a sick visit for difficulty breathing or audible wheezing.

Question 10

why does my cough get worse at night or first in the morning?

Accepted Answer

Depends on age: In children a cough at night may be an indication of chronic adenoiditis; possibly even sinusitis. In an adult i would lean more towards acid reflux as a cause.

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Doctor answers about:

Nocturnal cough in children

A member asked:

What can i give my 3 year old for horrible dry cough? he has coughing fits that keep him up at night. most medicines for children say age 6+.

A member asked:

Helo docs, can you please tell me if theres any home remedies for children who r suffering from severe cough for years specially at night during bed time... and also neithers cought expect syrup npr anti biotic is wrking. .. has tried so many docs presc

A member asked:

5 1/2 yr old takes children's claritin every am but is still plagued with allergic cough - worse at night. ok to dose with benadryl (diphenhydramine) in the pm?

A member asked:

Is it ok to give my 5 year old children's benadryl and childrens mucinex cough? she has bad allergies which makes her cough mostly at night.

A member asked:

Hi dr my 10 months old son is having a flue and he is vomiting sometime when i feed him and at night he doesnt sleep well. his nose are congested.. i have these med at home rinex syrup for children, prospan cough syrup, panado, nasonex spray.. ?

A member asked:

What can stop acute cough in children?

A member asked:

Why do i cough when i lay down at night?

A member asked:

Can you describe how to cure cough in children?

A member asked:

Any experience with a persistent nigthtime cough in children?

A member asked:

Why does my cough get worse at night or first in the morning?

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