Help for Chronic Cough in Toddler?

I would almost bet that it is allergies, as the other moms suggested. You are in a completely different part of the country now with a completely different set of allergens. My 3 year old developed a cough about 2 months ago that was worse at night. It was so bad that she would gag herself at times. I suspected allergies since she was otherwise completely normal, no fever or nasal discharge. We started Zyrtec as well. I ended up having to dose her twice a day instead of once a day early on, but she is now cough free. We now have her back to once a day dosing. I don't know how long you have been giving the Zyrtec, but it can take a week or two to work. So hang in there! Also, I read in one response about giving Sudafed. That is no longer approved or recommended for young children due to side effects, so please don't give him that.

Definitely take him to an allergist. Also, I would try to put the Vicks on his chest instead his feet so the vapors reach his airways better. (I know that some people swear on putting the vicks on feet but in your case I think if it were on his chest, it would work better for him). Also, Ohio is notorious to mess w/sinuses. So the cough could be a result of sinus drainage. Find out from the pediatrician whether there is any sinus medicine you could give him. This is really rough and if your pediatrician isn't helping you any further, go to a diff pediatrician.

hey girl - i'm sorry to hear that your little guy has this cough - please be sure to ask your doctor about asthma as well - my youngest wasn't diagnosed with asthma until he was 3 & ended up in the hospital with pnuemonia. he was the same way - almost a constant cough when he was younger. they put him on some steroid medications (very very small dose each day - studies show there is no affect on growth), and he is SOOOOOO much better now (he is almost 5) - he does have a couple allergies too. i would just ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric pulminoligist - i can definately recommend the one we use for our son - pm me if you would like her information.

HUGS!
~T.

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We use Zyrtec for my son who is 17 months and have used it for about a year. He has allergies during the summer & fall. We only give it to him as needed, not part of a regimend.

Also keep in mind you just moved to a very humid part of the country. So if your son has had a few issues where it is dryer they are more than likely going to be affected here.

www.naet.com will give you an option to eliminate the allergy all togethe with a minimal cost and non-invasive technique. You should be able to find a practitioner in your area.

I would call my doctor and ask if it is alright to take him off the meds, just to see if there is a difference.
When my daughter was younger we had to use sudafed every morning to dry her up so there would be no nasal drip.
This helped more than the allergy medicines.
goodluck
and welcome to your new home

This was the main symptom my son had when his allergies started. You can get postnasal drip from allergies and that causes the cough, mainly at night. We took him to an allergist and I had him tested and he was allergic to every single thing they tested him for with the pin prick test. I decided to pass on allergy shots. He was on 3 medicines. Well, 3 days at my sister in laws house where they had carpet and a dog and I changed my mind! I had to put him on allergy eye drops and that was the last straw. We started the allergy shots 2 weeks later(they had to mix up the serum) and he has been on the shots for 4 years now. He only takes Zyrtec daily and Nasonex just part of the year. He is a much happier kid, sleeping better too:) Take your child to an allergist and see what they say. Good luck!

L. Etta, mother of a 7 yr old girl and an 8 year old boy

Get yourself copies of NATURALLY HEALTHY BABIES & CHILDREN by Romm and The ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NATURAL HEALTH & HEALING by Weber

its allergies take him to a dr

If you think it's allergy related, I'd definitely get him in to see an allergist. They can better diagnose and treat him.

I know my daughter recently had a REALLY bad cough - they gave her a steroid to help clear it up. When she get sick, she can get asthma like symptoms, but doesn't have asthma. The steroid cleared up her cough nicely.

Good luck!

You might try olive leaf extract by Nature's Plus from a health food store. I was told by a mother that it is effective for cough. Put a drop or two in juice and give twice a day and encouage rest or at least slowed activity. It works for me :-)