Understanding Your Child's Chronic Cough
What Is It? A chronic cough lasts more than 4 weeks. It can be dry or wet and may be caused by:
- Post-viral illness
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Reflux (GERD)
- Protracted bacterial bronchitis
- Habit/tic cough (no physical cause)
Common Symptoms to Monitor
- Cough (daytime or nighttime)
- Congestion or sore throat
- Cough after eating or lying down
- Cough triggered by activity, stress, or attention
- Associated symptoms: wheezing, fever, poor appetite
When to Manage at Home
✅ You can manage your child's chronic cough at home when:
- Your child is still drinking fluids
- Your child can sleep (even if interrupted)
- No difficulty breathing between coughs
- Your child doesn’t have a fever above 100.4°F for more than 3 days
- Your child is still active, even if less than usual
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for chronic cough:
- Cool mist humidifier
- Warm fluids, honey (if >1 year old)
- Saline nasal spray, hydration
- Avoid triggers (acidic foods, allergens)
- Behavioral tools for habit cough (distraction, sipping water)
💊 Safe Medications
- For children >7 years old: May use OTC cough medicines, following instructions on medication label (⚠️ AVOID for children <7 years old)
- Proton Pump Inhibitor (eg. lansoprazole, omeprazole): As prescribed for children with GERD
- Antihistamines (eg. Cetirizine) and intranasal corticosteroids (eg. Flonase): As prescribed for children with allergic rhinitis
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us again when:
- Cough is lasting >2 weeks
- You’re unsure if it’s asthma, allergies, reflux, or something else
- You need help deciding next steps or medication support
- You're just not sure and need reassurance
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Symptoms aren't improving with initial treatment
- Your child has underlying conditions like asthma needing closer follow-up
- Wet cough has lasted over 4 weeks despite treatment
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care when chronic cough is accompanied by:
- Labored breathing or wheezing
- Blue lips or skin (cyanosis)
- Coughing up blood
- Whooping or barking sounds
- Recent choking or breathing concerns
- Night sweats or recent travel exposure
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
