Night time cough - dust mite allergy?

[KittyB52]

DD5 has had a night time cough for weeks now - it sounds to me like it might be post nasal drip.

We finally got to see a GP who examined her and suggested trying an asthma inhaler. We've done that, and it's made no difference (had it for a few weeks now). DD is otherwise well, no wheezing or sneezing.

I am going to try to get a follow up appointment with GP, but I wondered if I could do something in the meantime (not sure when we will get to actually see GP).

I have been reading up on dust mite allergy, and am going to give DD's room a good clean tomorrow morning. I've seen people mention mattress covers, but I'm wary of spending out on something that we might not need.

We have tried Piriton medicine but only at night time as I don't want her to be drowsy at school. Is there anything else we could try while waiting to see GP?

My 6 year old was diagnosed with a dust mite allergy age 4 and it just all made sense! He’d been hospilitised with that and his grass pollen allergy.

as soon as he was diagnosed we changed his whole room in terms of removing carpet, curtains etc.

if you suspect but don’t want to spend loads of money I’d:-

1. hoover including under the bed and skirting board. Pull everything out and hoover! If it’s hard floor then hoover and follow with mop.
2. wash bedding at 50 degrees once a week.
3. allergy bedding is best. At a minimum, get a pillow case cover that’s anti allergy. You can pick them up quite cheap I’ll at about £7.
4. if you come across an aloe plant, put one of those in the room.
5. if you have an air purifier, clean the air in the room. If not, open windows before and during and after you hoover.
6. do the same with your sofa - hoover and give it a good smack to get any dust out and hoover under it.
7. if he sleeps with a teddy then wrap in cling film and pop it in the freezer for a few hours to kill the dust mites.

if he is diagnosed then:-

1. replace carpet in the bedroom with hard floor
2. remove all fabric blinds
3. replace with slat metal blind