23mo with persistent cough, seems to be one cold/cough after another

[kittycartier]

Hi, sorry if this has been posted/answered before but is it normal for a 23 month old to have a cough, on and off, for 10 months?! He seems to have been coughing since March and GP less than interested as he never has temp and is not wheezing. Was told to keep a diary of the coughing but it seems easier to record non coughing weeks/days, there are maybe 7-10 days without a cough then it starts again. Also advised re the immature respiritory system etc etc.

I've really tried everything and now starting to feel like the mother from hell in case he's actually really ill and I've not been forceful enough with the dismissive GP!

He is otherwise a healthy and happy boy. He started nursery one day a week in September and has had a few other episodes of sickness but this coughing business started well before nursery did so cannot blame that!

Any ideas? Anyone's LO suffering the same thing? What did you do?

Many thanks

Has he been tried with an inhaler?

Hi Sirzy, what sort of inhaler? I've not tried him with one do you mean one prescribed by the GP?

GP has never prescribed anything other than steam!

Yes, with an ongoing cough a reliever inhaler may help.

I'd see another GP or a nurse practitioner or respiratory nurse.

Is there a family history of asthma? Does he get short of breath when running around, or have to stop and rest? Does he cough at night? Do you have pets, or a smoker in the house? Is he allergic to any foods or get hayfever? Was he born early, or have bronchiolitis as a baby?

Persistent cough can be treated with a salbutamol inhaler and potentially a low-dose steroid inhaler.

Wheeze isn't always present in young children but a cough for many months should be given a trial of treatment really.

A cough by itself can be a sign of asthma in a child.

My DS has had asthma since he was 1year old (he is now 8). He has never wheezed in his life - just coughed and coughed and coughed! He has a preventer inhaler, which he takes twice daily. He also has a reliever inhaler for when he gets his cough.

Is there any asthma in your family?

Sorry, been busy with yet more illness! Conjunctivitis now!

None on his dad's side of the family but I have two half sisters and they both have asthma, which bypassed our mum but comes from their dad's mother. I don't have it and neither did my dad or any of his family.

He is never short of breath and yes mostly coughs at night. We have two cats, we're ex smokers (gave up when I was pregnant), not allergic to any foods that I'm aware of (he eats very little!) No hayfever, not born early nor had bronchiolitis.

Going to see GP today about the conjunctivitis, will have a strong word and let you know how I get on!

Thanks for your help!

Hi Iv e had the same with my Ds since he started nursery in Sept coughs colds on and off just getting over one and another one comes sometimes hes ill with it sometimes like now its just a head full of cattarh blocked nose which causes a cough mainly at night he too has had conjuctivitis recently and constantly complaining of pain in his ear which eventually the gp gave me a antibiotic for which has cleared it up but still we have had 2 colds since is this normal with anyone else !!!!!

I think once they start school/nursery they tend to pick up everything going! I find that using Sterimar on a daily basis as a preventative measure really works as we haven't had any illnesses this season! It is isotonic seawater and it really helps with congestion and snuffles and can be used on babies. You have to squirt it up the nose but really does offer lots of relief!! Hope he feels better soon

It's post nasal drip apparently! He's very snotty and he's coughing because he's constantly trying to clear his throat, obv worse when he's laying down!

I'm not convinced it's asthma at all. He's just a snot-bag!

I've started using Karvol ampoules, elevated the mattress so he's at an angle, bought him a little pillow (Ikea) and turned the radiator off in his room. All seem to have helped but could be a coincidence!

Thank you for all your replies, will def try the Sterimar too!