Help.. any ideas for alleviating cough?

[Whiteybaby]

Hello Mn's.. my dd 9.5 m has had a cough for the last 4 months. I have taken her to doc every few weeks to check not chest infection and they keep saying all clear. I steam her, have raised cot on books at one end, use olbas oil, calpol vapouriser, vapour rub on back, chest (and feet!) bowl of water on radiator but nothing seems to help. It did seem a bit better a few days ago but now awful again, waking her in the night. When she coughs its like it comes right from her toes . She is constantly snotty and teething hard also so life is not so rosy!
She is bright and jolly in herself otherwise and eating drinking fine..
So... any other ideas or remedies that I can try to help her?

Bump?? Have searched through mn and now worried she is asthmatic or something more serious than just a persistent cough! Any advice thoughts would be very appreciated..
xx

Awww whiteybaby...I'm no medical expert but just to say that both of my children are prone to really awful, chesty coughs. They get them after they've had a virus (often there's no symptoms of the virus itself but then just a persistent cough that goes on for aaaaaages afterwards. It doesn't seem to bother them though (other than sometimes waking them up!)

I've been told lots of differing things by various GPs over the years (one thought it might be 'childhood asthma' -not the same as full-blown asthma) but most seem to agree that it's just a lingering after-affect of a virus. Some children get lots of ear infections or throat infections...I just figure my children are vulnerable in the chest and that's where they get affected.

Also, despite what the HVs/GPs might tell you, they often get a cough when they're teething (in my experience!) Sounds like you're doing all the right things but you should keep bothering the GP if you're still worried.

For me, the worst thing was that I became quite paranoid that people must think I was a bad mum in not doing anything about it! If one of my kids was hacking away while we were out in public, I could sometimes see old dears looking and 'tutting' as if to say 'you should have them at home in the warm!' But if I'd done that with my two, I wouldn't have left the house at all last winter!

Anyway, forgive my rambling, hope your little one is better soon. If it's any consolation, my two DCs have been much better so far this winter than they were last year (touchwood!)

was going to suggest what olifin said...it is called post viral asthma. DS2 always ets it after a cold or bout of illness and it goes on for months. Usually a course of salbutamol inhalers sorts it out.

Was going to say about the Vickson feet and socks on...it has always worked for my Dc's, but if you've tried it...can't help, sorry.

alypaly I've never heard of salbutamol inhalers. Is that on prescription or over the counter? Also never heard it called post viral asthma before...thanks, you've educated me. At lease now I've got a name for it to keep the tutters quiet

Ahhh...just Googled. They are the normal inhalers people have for asthma! Prescription only, presumably?

yep prescription only but DS2 has one for after a cough/cold virus and it works for him. He just used to cough all night long for months on end after a cold. now he doesnt

a million thank yous lovely mn's! I have just gone back to work and feel racked with guilt at leaving my pfb at nursery after coughing all night . She is waking up with it and as a usually good sleeper its awful to hear her trying to get back to sleep. I know what you mean about people looking.. always makes one feel good! This morning she coughed loads from about 5.30 appears to have cooked up an even worse cold and looked rough as a dog first thing! Am going to bother practice nurse again tomorrow and will ask re salbutamol. One thing tho do they wheeze as she isn't showing any sign of that

Assume there isnt any probs with her trying it although the thought of using a spacer horrifies me!
Am so pleased you replied, i dont usually worry about her too much but this cough/ constant snot is driving us both to distraction!

not always an obvious wheeze. DS2 didnt have any obvious wheeze but doc still gave it to him. If you do get the inhaler ask for the paediatric aerochamber with mask as it has a picture of a teddy on it and is smaller than the volumatic

Thanks aly I will ask. I'm asthmatic myself.. feel a bit sad at dd having drugs iykwim but if it helps it would be great..
x

my ds2 had terrible coughs and colds and a constant thick green snot (sorry). a nutrionist friend suggested getting rid of dairy (I know how important it is so substitute with different types of milk - my boy particularly likes Oatly milk and we now totally avoid dairy but give him calcium supplements, use soya, rice milk, almond milk etc.
He virtually never has a cold or cough (basically dairy encourages mucus forming therefore making colds etc worse and we encourage rest of family members to avoid dairy when he gets a cold and they disappear within a day ).
Also, pineapple is fantastic for getting rid of coughs.
hth

small I never knew about pinapple! That a new one to try.

Also what do people think of medised? From my googling it might help with snot / cough / mucus issues?

Pineapple has bromelain which helps loosen the mucus

A brilliant couple of websites:

1. www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/start/kidszone.asp?article_ID=95

1. www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/Benefits-of-Pineapple.htm

too much pineapple gives you awful diarrhoea as i found out to my cost. It is one of the best natural laxatives as it is a purgative.

ok thats noted... def dont want to add that into the mix of current issues! I have booked her back in to see nurse again tomorrow and am going to demand something is done...!