Dry coughing can afflict both adults and children alike. This type of cough typically is as an unproductive cough, because it does not produce phlegm or mucus. Dry cough in children can be very painful and can be the symptom of a more serious underlying health problem. There are many causes for dry cough in children, such as the common cold, asthma, allergies, post-nasal drip or whooping cough. Other causes might include croup, bronchiolitis, a blockage of the airway or even a symptom of an emotional issue.
The common cold is one of the most common reasons for dry cough in children. If the cough is accompanied by a sore throat, vomiting, ear pain, stuffy nose or fever, it might be a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection. This type of cough usually can be eased by the consumption of warm fluids, bed rest and doctor-approved medications. Asthma coughs usually are dry, wheezing noises accompanied by breathing difficulties. The child’s doctor can diagnosis and treat this type of issue.
Allergies often are the culprit of dry cough in children during the spring and fall seasons. Other types of allergies, such as those caused by cigarette smoke, food and pet dander, also can trigger a dry cough. Allergies often have many other symptoms, such as itchy, red eyes, sneezing and a runny nose. Sometimes simply removing the child from the allergy environment will help ease the coughing.
Post-nasal drip also causes dry cough in children. It occurs when the overproduction of mucus collects in the child’s throat and then begins to drip down his or her throat. This might be the result of allergies, colds or hormonal changes. Other factors that could affect this type of cough include fatigue and breathing in frigid air. Whooping cough, a medical condition that made a comeback in Western society during the early 21st century, also causes dry cough in children.
Younger children might suffer from dry coughing episodes if they have croup or bronchiolitis. Croup typically occurs in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, and it is characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, a squealing noise during inhalation and breathing difficulties. Dry cough in children under the age of 2 years might be caused by bronchiolitis. This occurs when a respiratory syncytial virus causes inflammation of the child’s air passages. The symptoms of this include wheezing, tight-sounding coughs and difficult, rapid breathing.
When something is lodged in a child’s throat or air passageway, he or she might have a dry cough. Parents should check to see if a small toy or piece of food was accidentally swallowed and is now stuck in the child's throat. Some children have unexplained dry coughs. For example, a tickly cough is caused by a tickling sensation in the throat. Other children might have dry coughing that is the result of fake coughing, which is sometimes the symptom of an emotional issue or problem.
