6yo non stop coughing, anything I can do.

[Crunchymum]

PCR results pending

She can't seem to go 2 minutes without having a coughing fit.

She is fine in herself (eating, drinking, toileting and playing) but she is flagging a bit now. She must be exhausted with all the the coughing!!

She is a kid that gets a lot of coughs but this is the most relentless I've ever heard.

Anything I can do for her?

We'll do Vicks before bed (chest and feet) and I'll prop her up. I'll also give her some Cetirizine.

I have a dehumidifier, will that help?

Anything else?

• her breathing is fine between coughing. I'm not worried but I do have some Salbutamol and a spacer I was prescribed when she had a chest infection a while back.

Exputex maybe? Help the irritation come up?

The salbutamol will help best, don't be afraid to use it but don't over use it either (my DS has asthma and sometimes we have to multi dose which makes his heart race).

I find my dehumidifier can make coughs worse as it dries the air out.

Lots to drink will help also.

Could it be whooping cough?

I'd say Vicks and maybe some ibuprofen if her chest has been going all day, it must be sore. A humidifier (not dehumidifier) may help but I've always found mine just makes the paint go funny on the walls.

@PleasantBirthday

Exputex maybe? Help the irritation come up?

Can't believe I've never heard of this, given I have a child who always catches coughs.

Is it OTC?

It is, yeah. It's good but just don't give it before bed...

Definitely not the dehumidifier as others have said, a humidifier might help. I would try the inhaler, it won’t hurt and may well help. The usually prescription is 2 puffs 4 times a day, at least 4 hours apart, in case you couldn’t remember the dosage.

Not a dehumidifier. You need more moisture in the air not less! A humidifier can help on the bedside table with some essential oils in it.

Piriton can help, I find bronchostop works well.

I found a spoon of honey helped as much as anything with my cough ( covid)

Has she been vaccinated for Whooping Cough?

If she has a chest infection then drying it out with anti histamines will not help, they will stop any phlegm being coughed up, fluids and moist air are better.

Some time in a steamy room can help, run a hot bath or the shower.

If its COVID then the only thing that I found that helped was humidity, even my usual inhalers didnt help. So you could try a hot steamy bath or shower.

Have just this second had her PCR results (negative)

She is up to date with all her vaccinations (is whopping cough part of the childhood vaccination programme? I'll check in a moment)

Will try the honey, she'll like that!!

Couldn't get the stupid bathroom steamy enough but got her to breath some Olbas oil in boiling water (safely)

Try an oil diffuser. Really helps with my dd.

She is also coughing like your dd.

Lots of time outdoors if she doesn't have a fever (more humid), onion next to her bed, onion syrup (chop up onion, add honey, give her teaspoons of it). No milk products (increases phlegm). Inhaling with saline solution is big here (Italy) and does help a bit.

Oh crap, she's had quite a bit of milk today.

I do have saline drops.

It's about 3c here. So being outside may not help?

No way she'll take chopped up onion (even with honey)

Will have to order an oil diffuser, hopefully can get it next day.

Despite low temperatures, being outside usually helps (my child at least). Wrap them up, don't overdo it and see if it makes a difference.