Why does my son get cough often?

Question

Hi doctor,

This is about my son who is 3.5 years old. He started having an allergic cough before seven months. The frequency was once in a month. The doctor said he is allergic to dust and humid weather and prescribed Romilast. He was fine. But, from the 1st of last month, he is having the allergic cough once again. As previous times, I went to doctor and he prescribed combination of Romilast, XL90 and Azithral. But, he is still having cough, though it is less and a very few times in a day. A few things for which I want to consult with you are his cough is not completely going away. He has lost 3.3 lbs weight and he does not eat as previous and seriously look so lean. He weighed 31 lbs last month. Though he is suffering from cough and cold and not eating properly, but still he is active. He goes to school every day. We have noticed, if he sweats heavily or goes through dust within a day he will start sneezing and then coughing.

Please help us.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern for your child.

1. Most probably this is allergic cough only, which is most common in kids these days. It is really great that you at least know that dust is the culprit. Many parents cannot even trace out the allergy causing thing in their child.

2. My first advice is to avoid allergen exposure. Use mask outside and avoid dust by keeping home dust-free. Old dust at home causes much more problem due to dust mites in it, which cause allergy.

3. For these episodes Romilast (Montelukast), Ascoril (Terbutaline), etc., you are already taking and these are only required. At times it may take long time to resolve. But, if only a mild cough for a few times a day as you said, then there is no need to worry much.

4. But, my concern is not gaining weight and we need to investigate. Have you ever gone for any investigation?

5. Please let me know the following details. For how long he is losing weight? Is there any history of chronic cough in family or neighborhood like tuberculosis?

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

1. Fine, it means the allergy in the family called atopy in medical science. This further goes in favor of allergy only.

2. Asthma is also an allergic condition with symptoms like difficulty in breathing, chest tightness and cough.

3. I would ask you to improve his nutrition. Give him a good amount of protein in the diet as our diet is usually less in proteins.

4. Please do not worry, if he is active and otherwise well.

5. I believe nothing else than allergic cough would come and which just like his dad would go away. Also, keep a track of his weight and height.