Is it safe to give a 3 yr old albutrol inhaler puff for allergy dry cough?

Allergy: Albuterol is rescue medicine for airway spasms of asthma. It will not help him at all. Can give him some Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for allergy. Avoid dairy for 4-5 days, this may help cough. Can also give him some honey which is a hollistic cough remedy. You can seek medical attention anytime if you are not comfortable.

For many reasons, no: Albuterol is a very strong medication. Inhalers are difficult to coordinate for timing of the release of the puff. I think few pediatricians or family doctors would prescribe that for a 3yo and no one but the person prescribed should be using the inhaler. It would not be useful for dry cough. Take your child to a clinic or doctor and follow suggestions. You'll both feel much better.

Possibly: Cough can have many different causes. The most common causes are asthma, post nasal drip and asthma. If a child is diagnosed with asthma then use of albuterol via an inhaler or nebulizer may be appropriate.

Evaluation first: Don't be giving your child other people's medication. If you child has seen a doctor and they have recommended an inhaler and use of albuterol, then it is fine. On the other hand, if you just want to do trial and see if someone's inhaler helps, that is not a good idea. We usually like to give the first dose of the medicine in the office to kids this young so we can see if any bad side effects.

Depends: If the condition is temporary , it is ok. However if this persists more than a few weeks, you need to see a doctor to assess whether a controller drug (inhaled cortisone, singulair (montelukast) etc) is needed. Frequent use of albuterol inhaler alone (without a controller drug) may actually make the asthma worse.