When to Worry About Your Child’s Cough

Posted on by Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists

As a parent, hearing your child cough or sniffle can create instant worry. Figuring out when a cough is just a part of a passing cold and when it might need medical attention can help ease some of that concern and allow you to focus on providing your child with the best care possible. Let’s take a look at the two main types of coughs, why they may be triggered and how you can manage them.

Different Kinds of Coughs and Their Triggers

Young girl with a cough at the doctor's office.

Coughing helps clear the airways and can result from viral infections like colds and flu, allergies, respiratory infections, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. There are two main types of coughs:

  • Acute: Lasting less than three weeks, acute coughs are often linked to common infections like a cold or flu.
  • Chronic: Coughs lasting four weeks or longer are considered chronic and may be due to conditions like asthma, allergies, acid reflux or ongoing sinus issues.

Simple Ways to Ease Your Child’s Cough at Home

When your child has a mild cough, these gentle remedies might help them feel better:

  1. Stay hydrated. Encourage drinking water, juice or warm broth to keep their throat and airways moist.
  2. Steam up the bathroom. Run a hot shower and let your child breathe in the steam, which can help soothe their throat and minimize congestion.
  3. Use a humidifier. Moisture in the air, especially at night, can reduce throat dryness and calm a cough. Run a small humidifier by your child’s bedside table while they sleep, and turn it off in the morning to prevent moisture buildup.
  4. Soothing treats. If they’re old enough, popsicles, ice cream or cough drops can provide temporary relief. Try grabbing a cone from Sweet Snow to cheer your child up and cool throat inflammation from too much coughing.

When It’s Time to Call Your ENT Specialist

Certain coughs deserve a bit more attention. If your child’s cough lasts more than a week, brings up colored mucus or is paired with fever or wheezing, it’s worth checking in with their ENT provider. These signs might mean your child needs a little extra support to recover.

Hearing your child cough can be unsettling, but you’re not alone. If you’re concerned, don’t hesitate to contact Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists for guidance and support. Our specialists are here to answer your questions and help your child feel better as soon as possible.