my 2 year old daughter ??????

[anthony25]

my 2 year old daughter has a cough every other week and its worse when shes in bed i hear her coughing for like half an hour or so at around 1am but hardly coughs during the day been the docs several times he just says same thing that she has a cold im worried its asthma related as my partners sister suffers badly with it what do i do ive tried medicines etc

[pinktwink]

have you tried allergy testing???

[anthony25]

pinktwink could you be more specific thanks...wayne

[annie0000]

Try using a non perfumed washing powder for her bedding- like Surcare. Give her bed a wipe with a damp cloth and the mattress a good hoover and cover with a hypoallergenic mattress cover and the same for her pillow and duvet - give them both a hot wash as well. Make sure the room is not too warm, ventilated, as dust free as possible and place a bowl of water near the radiator to moisten the air. Either take her soft toys away, or give them a hot wash and /or a visit to the freezer in a plastic bag overnight. This should ensure that that dust mites and other common allergens are reduced and that she has a comfortable sleeping environment. If that doesn't make any difference and she keeps having the cough, go back to the docs again.

I don't mean to imply that you have a dirty house by the way, it is just that my oh has a dust mite allergy and and an allergy to any perfumed products (among other things!) and we find that these things help him and also soft toys are notorious for harbouring dust - you should also try to keep them to the foot end of the bed if at all possible.

Hope this helps.

[lil75]

I must say that I thought the same as the above, it might be a dust allergy (also not saying your house is dirty) but some people are allergic to it....also you could try and put some damp towels in her room at night, the humidity helps clear the airways, also, maybe turn her radiator off as it will dry the air up....best of luck x

[rnchugg]

Could it be dry air that is making her cough?

You can try and put a mug of water near the radiator, that might help.

Or leaving the window open a jar just enough to let some air in, but try the water 1st

[Lore]

Have a read about a Post nasal drip. My 2 yr old's the same. I have to prop up the top end of her bed to prevent the mucus coming down the back of her nose causing her to cough.

[rinkins]

I agree with annie. You could also invest in a steam cleaner, you can get them at a reasonable price but they are well worth the money. My sister steam cleans every day (also quicker than hoovering) as her son has asthma and it helps him. The cuddly toys in the freezer was also recommended by the specialist. And keep cuddlies to a minimum if you can.

Glass of water on the radiator is a good tip - you can actually buy proper humidifiers (not the electric ones) that you hang over the radiator and come in different colours and patterns.

[Lore]

rinkins, do you know where you can buy one of the humidifiers that you hang on a radiator? I 've been using the mug of water for some time so that would be even better. Thanks :)

[rinkins]

Lore, the ones I got were from a catalogue like Studio. I'm sure if you google you'd find some or I bet studio have a website. I'll see if I can find some but I've got to shoot off in a minute so don't be offended if I don't come back!

[rinkins]

Lore just found some rather nice stainless steel ones. I googled "radiator humidifier" and found a company called Matheson Optometrists (believe it or not!). I'm no good at posting links but that's a starte for ten! Couldn't see any in studio at the moment

[Lore]

That's brilliant, rinkins, thanks ever so much! :)

[Psychick]

I was having the same trouble with me eldest when she was around 2-3 years old. I was originally told it was an asthmatic cough and she was given asthma pumps. It was having no effect and there were times I forgot to give her the morning and night one. I then realised she wasnt asthmatic at all. I saw a different doctor and straight away he said it was an allergy. To what, we have never found out. He prescirbed anti histermine (sp?) medicine and it worked a treat! She would get the cough every now and then and after just a couple of days of the medicine, would be clear of the cough again. She hasnt had one of those coughs now for a few years.