PLEASE help me stop my boy coughing

[Sparklydiplodocus]

My boy is really unwell. He’s been put on steroids and antibiotics. He cannot stop coughing for a single minute. I’ve tried honey, elevating his pillows, vicks on his feet, everything. HELP!!!

Very steamy bathroom?

Ask the GP if a ventolin inhaler might help. I Agree steamy bathroom and a humidifier might help if you can buy one tomorrow.

What is the diagnosis. If it's a chest infection, a blue reliever inhaler will surely help.
Contact your GP again.

If your child has croup, an infection characterized by a loud, barking cough, you may want to take them outside (after you’ve taken them to the pediatrician, of course!). Cool night air is a time-tested remedy for the “barking seal” cough. And while some studies have cast doubt on the effectiveness of an outdoor stroll, try telling that to the millions of moms who’ve been quieting their children's coughs by doing just that. A drive in the car with the windows cracked — even if it’s cold (just bundle up) — may do the trick, too.

How old?

He is 11
Already has ventolin and steroid inhaler. They’re not doing Jack shit to help

The inhalers i mean

Sit in the bathroom and run the shower on hottest temperature and make it really hot and steamy. The steam should help to ease the cough

Is he asthmatic @Sparklydiplodocus ?

And definitely prop him up in bed, more pillows

Benylin Children Night Coughs is good. It has an antihistamine in it which helps calm the cough down and helps them sleep better. I’ve found .Piriton works in a similar way.

If the inhalers aren’t helping it might be worth speaking to the doctor again. Hope he’s better soon.

It's not whooping cough, is it?

I had that as an adult, and it was grim.

Saline nasal spray may be of use if the cough is being aggravated by a nasal drip?

My youngest has bouts of this and this plus removing dairy has a massive impact

Give him an antihistamine immediately and do the steamy bathroom thing.
Sympathies op, listening to a cough that won't stop makes me beside myself.

Steamy bathroom, run the hot water for ages before you go in and put a towel under the door to keep the steam in. Rub him with vicks, chest and back before you go in

Paracetamol or ibuprofen? (Obvs age appropriate).

Also agree with pp- get a good cough mixture, if nearly 12 or a decent body weight I'm sure covonia is 12+ but please check.

When mine has a bad cough one of these usually helps or alternate.

Warm sips of warm squash.

Cold flannel- give him he will put in a few places, somewhere might help him just feel better esp if getting hot/ tired. (Head/ neck/ chest etc).

Olbas oil on a hanky near him.

Open window.

Not expecting him to talk much either.

On the basis of what you've shared I'd ring 111 for advice - or, if he's struggling to breathe with the cough take him to A&E.

That's on the basis of ventolin inhaler not helping and him already being on antibiotics and steroids

We have tried the steamy bathroom. Didn’t help. Now opened the window wide and sitting here breathing in fresh air. He can’t stop retching.

Yes he is asthmatic

He can breathe ok

@slothbyday please can you explain re your dairy comment?

As in removing it helps cough get better?

Very interested, thank you

Yes, maybe try to get him seen again if he's asthmatic.
Sorry op it's very hard.

Get medical advice urgently please!
Are these his normal medications? They may not be sufficient when having a severe astma attack or an infection. So try and see a specialist.
Also, the antibiotics need time to kick in... how long is he using these already?

I just see that breathing is ok. Is he able to cough easily or is it 'stuck'?

He is doing a nasty chesty cough constantly which ends in a retch.

He started the antibiotics today

Waiting up to 6 hours for 111 to call back!