Non-stop night time coughing - what can I do to help?

[Podrick]

My dd aged 9 has a dry cough that keeps her awake nearly all night (and me!) -

she was crying in desperation last night

does anyone have any tips to help?

Steam and vicks vapourub.

And if this is an ongoing thing, take her to the docs as this might be asthma

Sounds very stange BUT have you tried the onion remedy??

Cut up half an onion finely and leave it on a plate somewhere in the room. It seriously reduces the cough and in our DS (18months) got rid of it completely during the night! I don't know how it works I just know that it does work.

Word of warning the room reeks the next morning and you'll need to air it out thoroughly.

Half an onion tied around the head to cover the ears also works for cold-wind ear ache.

What is it with onions?

Tixylix Night Cough - it's magic.

thank you
onion, eh?

My ds only coughs at night when his asthma is playing up.. his inhaler cures it almost imediently.. could she have asthma?

Yup the humble onion!! Cheaper than cough medicine

Put a folded blanket under her pillow. Raising the upper body really helps me when I have a cough at night.
I hope she's better soon!

Prop her up when she sleeps on loads of pillows. Works for me. Oh and maybe glass of water by the bed?

I am propping her up at night and leaving her a drink already but it isn't enough

I have noticed that asthma has been mentioned...this has never crossed my mind...she is 9 and not normally prone to chest infections, it is just that she has been coughing for 8 nights now...could it really be asthma? I assumed asthma starts at a younger age?

I am thinking that she is very stressed out by school at the moment - she has an auditory processing disorder - and this is what is affecting her immune system. Ordinarily my dd is scarcely ever ill but she has had a vomiting bug and a cough/temperature over the last 3 weeks and 4 days off school.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate the help.

i have found the Sootha cough syrup from Weleda i think (is homeopathic or something) is really, um, soothing.
seems to help my endlessly coughing 4yo at night anyway.

thanks for the recommendation and love your christmas name!

...

Lots of Vics rubbed into the soles of the feet, then warm socks put on top will help a cough. I tried it with ds and I have to say, it did ease it.

OK, tonight I am going for:

1. propped up by pillows
2. a new Benylin tickly cough remedy (Tixylix and Sootha on shopping list)
3. bowls of water next to radiator
4. THE ONION
5. Vics on the feet with socks on top
6. And my own idea of running up and down stairs twice in the middle of the night if you can't get back to sleep!

surely that must be an uber powerful combi?

Try and get some Plaantago comp. cream by Wala (German) - might get it in a health food shop.

humidifier and the onion - it is AMAZING! it must be fresh and eye watering, chop in half and dust with brown sugar and place near the steamer. magic.

vicks on feel with socks is fierce too - good luck!

how do we know this shit?