Hi I have a 3yr old son, he always gets a horrible sounding cough - seal/bark - which I would first of all say: Croup. (something my older son got constantly!!!) anyway--- My son doesn't cough alot, it is when he does it's awful. Of course alarms everyone at daycare - although he has no fever, no runny-snotty nose-not cranky-eating very well. Is this still croup. I really wasn't planning on taking him to doctor?? Anyone ever experience this or sound familiar with anyone else.?? He does have alot of allergies (environmental as well as food) and is on zyrtec everyday. (maybe that is why he's not congested??)

Thank-you

Zyrtec is an antihistamine and is not a decongestant so if he isn't congested it certainly isn't from the Zyrtec. Since the cough is quite alarming I would definately have him checked by the doc to be sure it isn't something serious. You may want to try a vaporizer at his bedside with just a couple of drops of tea tree oil in it at night.

Hey badcat~
Have you checked into allergies or asthma? How long has this been going on? Have you noticed any "triggers"?

Thank for the replies, yes we have had testing done for allergies, when he was just 1. He has many environmental allergies - some trees, plants grasses, molds, dust mites, dogs, etc. (can't think right know) also he has food allergies - chicken, tree nuts, tuna & strawberries (the food allergies is why he was tested). I have asthma as well as my 11yr old daughter (have had attacks), but my I have not had my son here tested, I have lately questioned it - due to his cough, it seems to run in streaks - sometimes he will cough and cough soo hard in the morning until he pukes-then he seems fine. Or also, if he is playing and running really-really hard. I guess I would be curious as to how they would test him - I know how my daughter and I was tested - (thru a breathing test) do they do that with a 3yr old? I really can't think of anything triggering-it goes in spurts-maybe something inside him is triggering it-but not known to me.

Thanks again.

Hi Badkat~
I am not a professional by any means so this is just my thoughts. My son coughed continuously from when he was 4 months old.......well, it seemed like every night! He couldn't sleep --I would take him to the ER constantly. I was a new, first time mom and was clueless to a lot back then or I wouldn't have let it linger as long without some serious answers. They would give him a breathing treatment (usually albuterol) and send him home with the "broncholitis" diagnosis. I cannot count the times this happened. I finally was told when he was a little under 1 that he had "infantile asthma". I proceeded to find a specialist at that point. I learned along the way that there still are a lot of people who don't suspect asthma if they don't hear wheezing. He is now 12 and has taken preventative meds for his viral asthma which has progressively improved the infrequency of his attacks. There have been times that I have been forced to take him to the ER because his meds weren't helping---and I have been told more than once that they don't hear wheezing so he must just have a cold (the cough)

I am telling you this long story to let you know that many asthmatics cough (but don't wheeze) and I have known people who have similar coughing spells from allergies.

BTW, sorry that I asked the stupid question about allergies when you had already said that in the beginning! Sometimes, I wonder about my brain........... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by *SoccerMom* (edited 07-02-2003).]

I would also like to reinforce the fact that asthmatics do not always wheeze. I went thru a winter when I was 18 the I was constantly having that seal bark cough when I went outside (the weather was extremely cold that year and the average temp was 11 below zero F). After several ER visits as well as doctor visits, my doctor finally hit on the fact that I had asthma that was triggered by the cold.

I have only had an episode of wheezing once in my life - recently when I had bronchitis. Other than that I just get that cough when I have an attack.

Also, the fact that you say it happenes when he runs points to excercise triggered asthma.

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Angel, et al

My son was having a seal bark type cough...worse at night & in the winter months. It was more croup, BUT my doctor also said his lungs sounded mildly constricted & may have been asthma. He was only 3 & dr. put him on a medicine for 2 weeks, then did a follow up...clear lungs. I have done EVERYTHING recommended to clean his room from any triggers (just in case asthma/allergy related). His lungs have stayed clear. Anyways, I would recommend seeing the doctor. Best of luck

My oldest son was born 5 wks early and had pneumonia several times before his first birthday (including after birth). My doctor wrote a prescription for a breathing machine and albuterol by the time he was 8 months old. He's 4 1/2 now and when he gets a cold, it still goes to his chest.

When he gets bad allergies (usually in Spring & Fall), he gets the croup cough overnight.

All I have to do is dig out the breathing machine and after 3-5 days of breathing treatments, he's back to normal.

Depending on your insurance coverage, ask your doctor about writing a prescription for a breathing machine. We've certainly gotten use out of ours. It beats spending hours in a crowded ER.