Constant throat clearing

[lancslass17]

Hi,

Any tips to help DS stop clearing his throat.

Worse in morning and when tired. Being going on for 3ish weeks this time have booked appointment for docs but not till after Xmas.

Trying calpol in case it's nasal drip tickling his throat. Orange juice , menthol rub or crystals at night as he ca sound blocked up .

Sometimes he doesn't do it for hours ( especially if he's concentrating)

Having new floor fitted so it's very dusty which I am trying to keep on top of.

Just need ideas to try.

Sounds like a tic, common in children. If you ignore it he will probably stop by himself.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/tics/

Agree could be a nervous tic. Does he have other signs of anxiety/OCD? Or even ADHD or Autism? Tics can be comorbid with any of these.

otherwise could be cold or allergy related. Does he do it outside of the house? Might be worth monitoring to see what the common denominator is. You could try anti histamine to see if the dust in the house is affecting him

Try him with an anti histamine.

Sounds like a tic. How old is your child? Very common and they can’t control it or it takes a huge about if capacity to do so. Like trying not to scratch an itch. You can resist for so long but eventually it becomes too much. Best to ignore because stress is a factor. And drawing attention increases the stress.

He's 4 , no signs of anxiety, ocd etc that I am aware of.

Just given some antihistamine thanks.
Will monitor it's easing not sure if it's because
He's now been up two hours and has eaten and drunk something.
Had calpol and hour ago
Had antihistamine half hour ago

I feel like he's better outside but doesn't go away completely again that might me a time factor 🤔

Dust allergy? Seconding trying antihistamines.

we realised DH’s throat clearing started when he had had milk, fwiw.

My son does this.. it's almost like one single little cough / clear of the throat. He's been given an inhaler to try because the GP thought it was asthma. I can't say I've noticed a difference..
I ignore it now because he says he can't help it. And it's constant. He also does it in school. 🤷‍♀️

Why are you using calpol if he isn't in pain? Go to a pharmacist and see which anti histamine he can have, or what they can suggest for catarrh/nasal drip.

Antihistamine. DS did this for ages, even with an antihistamine (both my other DS and I (and my sister, and my mum!) are on nasal inhalers for allergies, so it was my first thought). Wasn't enough, but once the GP agreed with my assessment and gave him an inhaler too, it stopped.

Sounds like a tic.
The fact that it is worse when he is tired and better when he is concentrating fits with a tic and not a nasal drip.
The name ‘nervous tic’ is a misnomer - they aren’t caused by being nervous.
Please stop giving him calpol when he’s not unwell though.

I did this as a child, for quite a while. DM brought me to the doc who asked me had I anything to clear in my throat. I said no, and never did it again! 😂 It was a habit I think but that was the end of it.

He says his throat is sore hence the calpol.
He's been ok for last hour or so, so not sure what's working or if it's just time.

Tics are really common in children and don't usually indicate OCD or anxiety.

DD used to do this a lot, it was a tic. Weirdly it stopped around the time she was diagnosed with ADHD/ASD. Post-lockdown she's now developed vocal and motor tics which come and go, depending on how anxious, excited or stressed she is.

My DS started doing this, he's 14. He said he definitely felt there was something to clear. I wondered if he wasn't drinking enough so at the weekend gave him loads of water in a pint glass and it really helped, really push the hydration now and it seems to have done the trick.

Thanks all popped by chemist at lunch gave us piriton and saline spray to try.

Will keep offering lots to drink too thanks