Catarrh in chest /throat of toddler for 3 months

[jasperc163]

Can anyone advise as I dont know what to do. DD 14mnths had a chest infection at beg of April treated with antibiotics. Ever since she has had what sounds like a loose rattle of phlegm - it comes and goes and appeared to disappear for a few days 2 weeks ago following a load of vile mucousy nappies (so I happily assumed it was finding its way out, however it then came back again).

She wakes up coughing for a few minutes in the morning (though fine at night) but otherwise it doesnt bother her and there is no sign of problems breathing or a wheeze.

GP said no sign of chest infection but said she could try inhaler - i said no as she wasnt having problems breathing and it bothers me not her and it wouldnt actually cure it. She said if it was still there in a month she could try a short course of steroids???

I took her off dairy formula a month ago, though she has been having small amounts of cheese. No apparent change. We have had 2 cranial osteo appts (they said she seems congested around sinuses and prob has a post sinus drip, but no change.

I am at a loss. Could this be asthma? We have no history of it but do have family hayfever and v mild eczema.

I would like to put her back on dairy formula but am worried it may make it worse (though no indication it will).

Anyone had anything similar. Should I go back to the doctor? She doesn't appear to have a cold at the moment so the ongoing symptoms are worrying me. I know some babies can have narrow tubes and things can take a while to clear but 3 months seems excessive?

thanks in advance
jasper

[jasperc163]

upping this in case anyone else can help. She has a cold at the moment so the problem is more obvious. Odd thing is she only has a slight (clear) runny nose - its as if it all goes down the back of her throat instead!

[beammeupscotty]

I wonder if she has some hayfever symptoms and maybe causing excess mucus in throat and back of nose which is swallowed and rattling around in her throat?
Try a couple of days of piriton syrup to see if it makes any difference. If not it wont do any harm? Can be bought over the counter for over 1s. I'd be interested to know if you find a solution!

[jasperc163]

Thanks both.

beammeupscotty - no other signs of hayfever ie eyes or runny nose so i thought unlikely? Also she has had it ever since the chest infection at beg of April (too early for hayfever i think)?

Pixie - she coughs in morming as she wakes as i assume mucus has been draining into her throat but it is shortlived and once upright she is fine. Also no problems breathing or any indication that it bothers her (just this rattle at top of chest that improves the minute she clears her throat)

[jasperc163]

thanks pixie - wouldn't she have sore eyes or runny nose or something? DH gets hayfever (starts in june so i think its grass) but has itchy eyes etc. As you say. may be worth a try though. Its just that no difference if she is outside or in so i suppose i had discounted it.

GP listened and said clear. Then by the time i had finished chatting to her she said she coud here the rattle (DD playing on floor near her) which does imply its in throat not chest .

[beammeupscotty]

I have chronic (all year round) hayfever and dont get sore eyes or a runny nose. just stuffy snotty nose with tickly throat and itchy ears. As you say its in her throat so would indicate some inflammation in and around there and upper airways, which causes mucous production. Could be she's just a bit on the snuffly side. ?? dairy. (never helped me!) I take a antihistimine daily and it controls the worst of my symptoms. Try raising the head of her cot (books under top legs) so her chest is more upright.

[jasperc163]

thanks all,

Is piriton the best thing to try as a attempt at diagnosis? It makes them drowsy doesn't it? Is there another one avail over the counter? tbh it isnt bothering her that much as far as i can tell but I would like to have an idea of what it is...