Daughters habit cough always starts in September…

[Asthmamummy]

My daughter age 7 has suffered with mild asthma for the last 3/ 4 years. Each year at this time (Sept/Oct) she develops the same type of cough. It’s like a tic/ habit cough, and very preset when shes watching tv or going to sleep . I really feel for her it’s stopping her getting off to sleep (takes an hour) and I’d just like to know how to help her. Has anyone else had experience of this, it usually lasts for 8 weeks and then goes. Could it be the weather or an allergy? Welcome any advice, thank you 😊 x.

[Itswonderful]

hello. Can I ask what makes you call it a “habit/tic” cough?

[Chip_y2kuk]

If it starts in september/october every year its not a habit cough that would be all the time

If it starts in september/october every year i would be looking at whats going on in your house.... does the heating come on, could it be a dust allergy?

The weather is certainly getting damper and windier and i always find i struggle more in the damp ... sometimes i think its the wind blowing up all the dust and pollen in one last attempt to annoy me

But its likely to be something airborn (thats likely to be why shes coughing) it could however be anything; dust, mould, pollen (although there is less pollen as everything is starting to die off)

[Troilus]

Could be a mould allergy. Not from inside your house but outside. Plants are dying back, leaves are falling etc. Combine that with damp weather and you get mould spores as the “greenery” decomposes. Try antihistamine and see if it helps.

[Rattle]

Our daughter had a very similar problem when she was around 6-9 years old. She started a funny kind of half-coughing each autumn about October and carried on for around 2 months. I recognise the ”tic/cough” you mention as it was a bit like a weird habit rather than a normal cough. It was really annoying and we asked her to stop and try to cough ”properly ” if and when she needed to instead.

Which she obviously couldn’t do, little thing. After 2 autumns we finally clicked when it started again the 3rd time (not the best attention from her parents….) and we went to see a GP.

His verdict was that post-nasal drip most likely was the cause of her funny cough and that it was brought on by a seasonal allergy of some sort.

She got antihistamines - and it helped! The next year it came back like clockwork so back on the antihistamines which helped again. After that she actually didn’t get it back any more, though she had various other allergic problems in the way of rashes that flared up instead.

Now, at 23 she has occasionally asthma signs usually from exercising or when she’s got a cold, but no more allergic issues.

Hope you can find out how to help your daughter too xx

[ChrissieMons]

If it doesn't last longer than the 6-8 weeks, I wouldn't worry. Try giving her extra pillows so she sleeps sitting up (she'll slide down when she's asleep) and encouraging her to drink water as often as possible. If you keep windows closed, you might try opening them a bit. It's all trial and error, I'm afraid! Good luck!

[Celie1]

Hi,

I agree with Rattle, it sounds like post nasal drip to me, with a seasonal allergy.

I’ve got post nasal drip alongside asthma and I have a cough with it.

Hopefully antihistamines will do the job. 🤞

[peege]

Whilst I'm not medically qualified I have experienced undiagnosed childhood asthma, my son's asthma started in a September 2 months before his 3rd birthday (in his 40s now & lives in a warmer climate), also I've been through & supported my daughter's struggles with getting a diagnosis for her baby (countless chest infections & courses of antibiotics she's now 11,) even though her gran, father, uncle and others in the family had asthma. She most definitely had asthma however GPs in nhs refused to diagnose it, all saying they wouldn't diagnose asthma until she was 6/7 . At the same time they prescribed ventolin rescue inhalers fitted with baby masks.

It sounds as though your daughter certainly has asthma - it's not a nervous or anxious tic, (I can understand why you may think so I used to get a thick ear from incessant coughing as a kid which of course made it worse). I had many bouts of untreated bronchitis probably causing the lung damage I now have plus a severe case of measles (which can cause lung damage). It was a different time.

Fast forward to my son at 3, we lived in Libya & luckily had access to a private clinic. He was diagnosed asthmatic & learnt to use a preventive inhaler at 3 along with the rescue inhaler - no spacers or soft silicone masks in those days. That lovely Welsh doctor suggested William may 'grow out of it' at 7 or 14. His asthmatic cough & wheezing came at any exercise as well as at night. I spent so many nights cuddle holding him in a sitting position with a kettle steaming in the room. I aso gave him clean bedding 2/3 times a week plus cleaned and damp dusted his room (in fact the whole house) in case his asthma was exacerbated by dust or dust mite. He finally 'grew out of it' at 13/14 although its reoccurred in later life.

Re my granddaughter, when she was about 4 the family moved from West London to Buckinghamshire. Again GPs refused to diagnose asthma until the day she saw another GP in the practice, who held his head & said "ah I cannot understand this British system of refusing to diagnose asthma in small children". He's Belgian and so sympathetic & supportive changing their lives in prescribing daily preventer inhaler and the rescue inhaler. Shes cooed well, on my advice my daughter has always given her prebiotic & probiotics to counteract the effects of antibiotics and to boost her immune system along with daily vitamins, fruit & veg. Daisy has always kept a secret rescue inhaler in her school bag which she uses before exertion/sports/swimming etc (some teachers are not helpful, one told her 'there's no such thing as asthma, just get on with it' - in this day and age appalling).

There are several 'triggers' for asthma exacerbations, exersise/exertion, change in the air temperature, dust mite, pollen, pets/pet dander, mould indoors or outside, chemicals/strong smells, pollution, smoke & fumes of any kind. I'm sure I've missed out others.

Importantly it's often worse at night particularly between September and April/May.

You did the right thing coming here, you may have more replies after the weekend and I'd strongly advise you to call the helpline - 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm on Monday to speak to an asthma nurse who will give you guidance on going forward & getting the support your daughter needs from the health service.

In the meantime if you can possibly afford it a private medical allergy test coud save months of anguish in finding out if there's a trigger you can then avoid. Its a massive learning curve however, knowledge is the key. (I so wish I knew then what I know now to help my son and granddaughter)!

Personally I would advise avoiding autumn leaves, compost, farmyards where aspergillus mould can lurk until you discover your daughter's triggers. No-one tells asthmatics that but it's vital. There are several lung diseases hence the need to get a proper diagnosis.

Apologies for writing a book 😬, childhood asthma is a subject close to my heart. All the best, Peege

[Hil101]

Hi, this is the time of year when house dust mites become prevalent and I am also affected by this, with post nasal drip causing my asthma cough to worsen. It's a dry cough, very irritating and it ramps itself up but is hard to stop. Very gentle breathing (not big breaths of air) can help. It will be worth vacuuming very carefully (including her mattress), damp dusting meticulously (e-cloths gather the dust instead of putting it into the air) and washing all bedlinen (including pillow protector and mattress cover). Soft toys should also be washed/removed to see if it makes a difference. I get a lot of relief from my cough by keeping everything clear of dust. Perhaps she can also have allergy tests so that you know what to avoid. Heres a summary of autumn allergens:

hordercentre.co.uk/news/you...

Hope this helps.