Dry Hacking Cough

Haydee - posted on 03/04/2013

My daughter use to have the same problem. One of my good friends recommended I put Vicks on her chest and bottoms of her feet(put socks on after applications) and have her drink warm apple juice. My daughter was not too keen on the warm apple juice until I put a bit of apple cider. It did make a difference. My daughters dry couch turned into asthma and we endured several trips to the emergency room. She was prescribed a nebulizer to administer the albuterol and a steroid. The steroid scared me as I did not want to put such a powerful drug in her system. I didn't know what else to do. So I gave it to her and about literally 1 minute after the first dose, she vomited a bunch of phlegm. I know it sounds gross but it was as if I has unplugged a clogged drain. What a difference it made. The steroids were only for two days and she finished a 5 day course of antibiotics along with the albuterol treatment. All of this happened when she was 4 and it kept happening for another 5 years. Now she is a happy and healthy 14 year old who has outgrown her asthma and during this whole time she only got prescribed steroids twice.
Your daughter has suffered enough as well as you. Demand an x-ray or switch doctors! If she is ill often with the same symptoms but does not develop asthma that is a red flag for possible allergies. Take her to an allergist right away!

Wendy - posted on 02/26/2013

I have tried every medication over the counter including Delsym since the pharmacist said it's the best out there and the children's didn't even phase my 3 year old, I even tried the adult formula since my mom didn't have the children's one and even that didn't work. The doctors keep saying to keep using her allergy medicine which I use otc Benadryl and I had tried along with all these other non medication remedies because on medicine was helping, with no surprise to me at all after weeks of coughing all night to the point of vomiting, I called my mom crying that I can not get Michelle to stop coughing and throwing up from the cough and we haven't slept Michelle can't get in a breath before she is hacking her poor little lungs up. So my mom came over and the emergency room was what I was set on trying because my baby offer immediate help it could be serious and the hospital sent her home after a breathing treatment which didn't work she coughed thru that and threw up on the nurse and they said just to get her a humidifier (already have 4 different kinds and they haven't helped) so my mom called her doctor which gave her some Tussin X and Prometazine with Codeine and said to fill those and try a very small dose like 2ml and the Tussin didn't even slow the cough so we tried the Codeine syrup and same thing absolutely no help. I'm at the end of my patience, I haven't gotten any sleep and my heart is overfilled with pain having to see my baby girl go thru something the doctors have been trained to help cure coughs and be able to sort out the symptoms and eliminate illnesses until they figure out exactly what it is. Their body is so tiny and fragile the search shouldn't be too hard and the fact that they are just helpless children should encourage them to work harder so they don't have to endure anymore misery.

Blain - posted on 09/06/2011

My son has the same thing. He's probably had it 10 times this past year. How old is your daughter? My son is too young to be diagnosed with asthma, but he has asthma and when I take him to the dr with this constant dry hacking cough that is releived by nothing, they said he has tracheobronchitis and give him prednisone. he's really scared me a few times and i've taken him to the er once. nothing relieves it, i've tried everything. If they do have asthma, NEVER use the vaporizor unless the dr tells you to. The heat can cause an asthmatic to clamp down in their chest and not be able to breathe, and become emergent very quickly.

Wendy - posted on 01/11/2010

Have they checked her for mycoplasma? It's very prevalent right now and is always accompanied by a dry hacking cough. Not sure if that will help, but my daughter had it and it took forever to get rid of it. She had to be on an antibiotic specifically for mycoplasma. Hope she gets better.

Jami - posted on 01/10/2010

I'm a CNA, and we have had a similiar problem with a dry hacking cough. They (the docs) tell us it is asthma, she is a tiny bit better but I'm not convenced. Good luck ; ) keep us posted on the hunt for new Docs.

Megan - posted on 01/10/2010

I got an email saying to put Vicks on the soles of your child's feet and put socks on. It is supposed to relieve the cough when your child is sleeping.Might be worth a try.

Lemeicia - posted on 01/10/2010

oh yeah, try not to give her milk bc it will make them choke on the mucas once it began to drain.

Lemeicia - posted on 01/10/2010

I use a cool midst humidifier which helps them to loosen the mucas and breathe easly. you can the get rested.

Kelly - posted on 01/10/2010

She mite have asthma. A little sniffling nose mite trigger an attack.

Kimberly - posted on 01/10/2010

I read somewhere a long time ago if you rub vicks on your feet and cover your feet up with socks at night ad do this fopr a few nights that the cough becomes less and less. Your feet will fell slightly warm and soothing. If your child is very yound you can buy infants vicks in a tube other that I use the regular vicks on my daughter since she was 7 and it works. I even tried it and it works. Give it a try. In the meantime I do think you should seek another doctor and get them to run some tests especially if this has been going on and off for awhile. Good Luck.

Elley - posted on 01/10/2010

Hi Courney,
Definately change your GP immediately.

Lisa - posted on 01/09/2010

Hey, I've got a great old remedy that really works for a dry hacking cough - I promise - and you'll love how simple it is - No cough medicine and she'll sleep through the night. Take a cotton tube sock and wet it with very warm (not too hot) water. Wring it out but make sure it stays warm. Quickly wrap it around her neck - snug but obviously not too tight. Cover the wet sock with a dry tube sock and safety pin it in the back so she can't play with it. The moisture will help her dry throat and the warmth will stop the cough - and she'll sleep - and so will you!

Alison - posted on 01/08/2010

Here are some things that I have found helpful for a persistent dry hacking cough:
*Dr. Sears suggests a vaporizer rather than a cold mist humidifier.
*Depending on her age, you may use vapo-rub on her chest (test it to make sure it doesn't irritate her).
*I fed my daughter lemon juice with LOTS of honey in some hot water. I told her it was a "special tea" for her cough and she did drink it (and she felt very special).
*I have also found that opening the window a crack helps with night time dry coughing.

For myself, I always turn to codeine with a bad dry hacking cough, but that's probably not so great for your little one. :)

Good luck!!!

Cidalia - posted on 01/08/2010

I agree with the other posters that you need to find out if it's really "just a cold" or if something more is going on here. It could be any number of things that need more treatment. There is even form of asthma called "cough-variant asthma" in which the main symptom is a dry hacking cough that is worse or only present at night.



http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/cough-...

Shirley - posted on 01/08/2010

I was going to suggest the humidifier. Even though you may turn down the heat, you can still have dryness in the air. If she has a cold, that doesn't help her much. It could also be draining down the throat which is causing her to cough as well. I found that elevating my kids' heads when they sleep, along with the humidifier helps. I've been through so many different sinus infections, upper respiratory infections and bouts of croup with my kids and have found that works. Of course, I am also persistent with going to the doctor and getting them medication when needed. The trick of putting children's vicks on the feet and then socks over it works too!

Robin - posted on 01/07/2010

I dont know if you've used " Delsym " cough syrup or not... but it works REALLY good for a dry hacking cough... It tastes like oranges & you can get it at Walmart!

Cheryl - posted on 01/07/2010

I'm not dr, but I've raised 4 children. I agree that you need to change you pediatric dr. if it's not serious then I'd buy that humidifier. I had 2 with croup alot and the humidifier always did the trick, and before that, it's was steam in the bathroom, but 1st and foremost, get another dr just to make sure it's nothing serious. Poor baby, you just know she's miserable.....and I'm sure you are too, not knowing what's wrong.

Sooz - posted on 01/07/2010

I use baby vapor rub on my little ones feet when they get bad coughs - it works as I've also used it on myself. It's not immediate but roughly after a 1/2 hr it settles down enough for them to sleep. Also - if there is a barking sound to your little ones cough it's a sign of croup she may also be gasping for breath too - if it's cold out bundle her up and take her outside for brief periods of time during her coughing episodes as this will help relieve it. You can also steam up your bathroom and sit in it for awhile - this helps as well. Mine son used to get croup often and it's scary so until you can see the dr again these may help. Good luck!

Heather - posted on 01/07/2010

well, I am no doctor either, but I am a nurse. The fact that she is having a dry hacking cough AND vomiting concerns me. what does her cough sound like? Is it a barking cough? Is there a gasping sound? Is it like a spasm or a coughing spell where she is unable to catch her breath? fever? There are many things this could be from something simple, like allergies, to croup, or even whooping cough....please get her checked...have your pediatrician check for pertussis or whooping cough, which is done by simply swabbing the nose. Be persistant, call your Dr.

Beverly - posted on 01/07/2010

Hello Courtney,

I am not a doctor, I am just a medical assistant, but I can tell you a dry hacking cough is not a good sign. Its a non productive cough, meaning whatever is irritating her bronchi is causing her to cough. See another doctor asap! Please. Now if you were coughing, I would suggest that you get tested for TB, Pneumonia (walking or not). It has to be determined if its viral or bacterial. I would take her to another doctor as soon as possible, okay? And if anyone else has a suggestion, please let Courtney know. Take Care.

Wendy - posted on 01/11/2010

Have they checked her for mycoplasma? It's very prevalent right now and is always accompanied by a dry hacking cough. Not sure if that will help, but my daughter had it and it took forever to get rid of it. She had to be on an antibiotic specifically for mycoplasma. Hope she gets better.

Jami - posted on 01/10/2010

I'm a CNA, and we have had a similiar problem with a dry hacking cough. They (the docs) tell us it is asthma, she is a tiny bit better but I'm not convenced. Good luck ; ) keep us posted on the hunt for new Docs.

Lisa - posted on 01/09/2010

Hey, I've got a great old remedy that really works for a dry hacking cough - I promise - and you'll love how simple it is - No cough medicine and she'll sleep through the night. Take a cotton tube sock and wet it with very warm (not too hot) water. Wring it out but make sure it stays warm. Quickly wrap it around her neck - snug but obviously not too tight. Cover the wet sock with a dry tube sock and safety pin it in the back so she can't play with it. The moisture will help her dry throat and the warmth will stop the cough - and she'll sleep - and so will you!

Alison - posted on 01/08/2010

Here are some things that I have found helpful for a persistent dry hacking cough:
*Dr. Sears suggests a vaporizer rather than a cold mist humidifier.
*Depending on her age, you may use vapo-rub on her chest (test it to make sure it doesn't irritate her).
*I fed my daughter lemon juice with LOTS of honey in some hot water. I told her it was a "special tea" for her cough and she did drink it (and she felt very special).
*I have also found that opening the window a crack helps with night time dry coughing.

For myself, I always turn to codeine with a bad dry hacking cough, but that's probably not so great for your little one. :)

Good luck!!!

Cidalia - posted on 01/08/2010

I agree with the other posters that you need to find out if it's really "just a cold" or if something more is going on here. It could be any number of things that need more treatment. There is even form of asthma called "cough-variant asthma" in which the main symptom is a dry hacking cough that is worse or only present at night.



http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/cough-...

Robin - posted on 01/07/2010

I dont know if you've used " Delsym " cough syrup or not... but it works REALLY good for a dry hacking cough... It tastes like oranges & you can get it at Walmart!

Heather - posted on 01/07/2010

well, I am no doctor either, but I am a nurse. The fact that she is having a dry hacking cough AND vomiting concerns me. what does her cough sound like? Is it a barking cough? Is there a gasping sound? Is it like a spasm or a coughing spell where she is unable to catch her breath? fever? There are many things this could be from something simple, like allergies, to croup, or even whooping cough....please get her checked...have your pediatrician check for pertussis or whooping cough, which is done by simply swabbing the nose. Be persistant, call your Dr.