Any suggestions for bad cough

[Jas2004]

Hi,

My daughter is 5 and she has asthma, she has had a cough on and off for over 3 weeks at times with a wease (completely normal for this time of year) Her cough has been bad for just over a week, it's a dry persistent cough and she frequently has coughing fits which have made her vomit. She hasn't been at school since Thursday and she's not been out and the cough is no better. She doesn't have much of an appetite and hasn't eaten much since Thursday, this is the norm when she's unwell.

We have tried various different cough bottles, Vicks, dehumidifier in bedroom, honey & lemon and they have had little affect. Does anyone have any suggestions or miracle cures as it would be fantastic if she was better by Christmas!

Tia . X

[IwillrunIwillfly]

Has she been taking her blue inhaler? Sometimes asthma can cause a cough rather than a typical wheeze. If you'd not already tried it then i'd try giving her 10 puffs salbutamol through a spacer and see if that helps. If not then maybe worth seeing the gp?

[Badders123]

If she is coughing til she vomits then I think the dr is appropriate

[Jas2004]

Thanks for the replies.
Yes we have being given her the blue inhaler, I will try 10 puffs.
The G.P said it was just a cold. She has a cough on and off from October to April sometimes it triggers her asthma and my hubby, me and DD1 catch it too. It's a nightmare with all the parenting days!

[FinallyHere]

You might look at what she is eating. Many of us, me included, find diary products make our nose run. Then it drips down the back of the throat landing on the cough reflex, resulting in a cough.

Also, a bit drastic but the best way to dry up my sinuses is a clove of raw garlic first thing in the morning, crushed between two spoons and followed by a big glass of water. I can feel the drying up almost immediately. Not everyone is prepared to try this, but anyone who does really gets it.

[Jas2004]

Finally - if it's a food intolerance would it not affect her all year rather than just winter? The G.P says she has no immune system and she will probably out grow it when she's 7 or 8. Just trying to find some 'magic' cure so we can have a cough free Christmas!

[DaisyQueen]

My daughter has what the doctor described as seasonal asthma and her cough begins in autumn and last through to the spring. I find a humidifier really helps with the night time cough and also propping the pillow end of her mattress. During the day try and allow as much fresh air as possible too

[BertrandRussell]

When we all had whooping cough, the only thing that helped was sipping water as cold as possible- we kept lidded cups constantly full of water and ice cubes. It didn't cure, but eased it more than anything else.

[Jas2004]

Thanks for the replies. It's difficult to know what to do for the best. Fresh air makes the cough worse but I need to pop into work tomorrow so she will be out. The mattress is up and she tends to sleep on the mattress and not pillows! I encourage her to drink as much as possible but she keeps saying it doesn't help and she is reluctant to drink, she can be very stubborn!

I do appreciate the comments. X

[peesandlove]

Have you tried Vicks on the feet then put cosy socks on? Basic perhaps but works for mine.

[Jas2004]

Peesandlove - I've tried that, doesn't seem to work unfortunately. X

[McBassyPants]

If she needs 10 puffs then she really needs to be seen hun

[Jas2004]

I did try the 10 puffs and she wouldn't take them, she will rarely take the 10 puffs she gets very upset. I'm going to get a Drs appointment tomorrow. Thanks. X

[Starsandcars9]

We have montelukast tablets for wheeze/asthma and they def do help. They reduce inflammation in the lungs. Ask your gp or asthma specialist about them

[Starsandcars9]

Ps do the puffs in her sleep with the mask in the spacer

[Jas2004]

So I took my daughter to the Drs and again I have been told it's just viral and her chest is clear (which is great). He said she could have it for another week of so!
He just repeated what he previously said as she is asthmatic she is more prone to a cough! X

[Starsandcars9]

You should push for montelukast - most asthmatic children take it throughout the winter season. Sounds like you are being fobbed off by a gp - ask to be referred to a paed resp consultant

[Jas2004]

Stars & cars - I did mention it but G.p insisted cough was viral, normal and not that bad! DD ate lunch which is a start. X

[Starsandcars9]

As I understand it post viral wheeze/ viral wheeze/ asthma/cough are all the same thing in a little one but I'm not a dr.
I'd book an app with a diff gp if you can. My daughters asthma is viral induced too - doesn't mean they can't treat it. A cough a symptom of asthma too not seperate.