Your child may catch several colds and upper respiratory infections each year, each causing dry or productive coughing. If she does not have the symptoms of a cold, however, and seems to be coughing frequently, she may have a health condition such as asthma or allergies. If a cough lasts longer than two weeks or recurs frequently, visit her pediatrician.
Asthma
Asthma is a potentially life-threatening disease that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest and trouble breathing. If your child has asthma, his airways may become swollen and inflamed, which impedes his respiration. While some children have a wheeze, which is a whistling sound upon exhalation, others experience a recurring dry cough. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed with medication. Your child's doctor may give him a rescue inhaler, which delivers medications to the lungs for fast relief during an asthma attack, as well as maintenance medication to help prevent attacks. If your child's asthma suddenly becomes worse or his rescue inhaler does not work, go to the emergency room immediately.
Allergies
A recurrent cough in your child could indicate environmental allergies. A child with allergies may react to substances such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen and mold with the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which include coughing, sneezing, a runny nose and eye irritation. KidsHealth states that allergic rhinitis, which affects between 15 and 20 percent of the population, usually begins before the age of 10 and resolves during middle age. Avoiding allergens whenever possible can help relieve your child's symptoms. While you should not give your child medication without talking to her physician first, sometimes antihistamines can bring relief.
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Another common cause of a chronic cough in children is gastroesophageal reflux. If your child has reflux, food and stomach acid can enter the esophagus from the stomach and may travel up to the throat. It can cause throat irritation and, if your child inhales some of the stomach acid, wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing. Other symptoms include a raspy voice, recurrent pneumonia and heartburn. Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and not laying down within three hours of eating, can help, as can over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Other Causes
Your child may develop a nervous habit, or tic, that involves coughing. This type of cough is dry and nonproductive and usually occurs only during the day. Sinus and nasal congestion can cause a chronic cough due to post-nasal drip. Particularly during the winter, he may contract cold viruses in succession, causing a recurrent cough. If your young child has a chronic cough, it might be from an inhaled object causing irritation in the lung. Irritating substances, such as smoke from cigarettes or a wood stove, can also cause recurrent or chronic coughing.
