Several conditions may cause a dry cough in a child, including infections, allergies, and irritant exposure. Dry coughs may occur independently or with other symptoms, such as fever or fatigue.

Coughing is a natural defense mechanism the body uses to clear the airway and remove microbes and foreign objects.

People often produce dry coughs, also called nonproductive coughs, to clear an itch or irritation in the throat. These coughs are usually symptoms of an underlying condition in the upper respiratory tract.

Sometimes, a caregiver can help prevent a dry cough by taking preventive measures, such as getting the child appropriate vaccinations or avoiding exposure to allergens or irritants.

Many things can cause dry cough in children, and its treatment depends on the cause. Identifying other symptoms can help identify the underlying cause. If a caregiver is unsure what is causing the cough, they can talk with the child’s doctor for a diagnosis.

If a child feels like they are struggling to breathe, their caregiver should contact emergency services immediately.

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The common cold, pertussis, and asthma can cause a dry cough in children.

Viral infections invade the cells in the airway, causing irritation and inflammation that may lead to coughing. A child may catch a virus from inhaling particles in the air or through close contact.

Below are some infections and other conditions that may cause a dry cough in children.

Common cold

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common colds are among the most frequent reasons children miss school. While many viruses can cause colds, rhinoviruses are the most common.

Influenza (flu)

Flu is an infectious respiratory disease that can be dangerous for children, especially those younger than 5 years old. The influenza virus causes it.

Other symptoms of the flu can include:

The flu can cause complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and infections.

Pneumonia

A child may develop pneumonia from a virus, bacteria, or fungi. Globally, pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children under 5 years old.

While death from pneumonia is less common in the United States, pneumonia is still one of the most common reasons for child hospitalization.

Symptoms include:

Note: While the cough that occurs with pneumonia may be dry, in some cases, it may sound wet or appear as a productive cough.

COVID-19

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, a type of coronavirus, causes COVID-19. Symptomatic COVID-19 appears to be less severe in children.

A child may show symptoms similar to those of the common cold and flu. They may have pneumonia, with or without showing any symptoms.

The cough that comes with COVID-19 is often continuous. A child may cough frequently for over an hour or have three or more coughing episodes within 24 hours.

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a common viral infection in infants and children younger than 2 years old. Swollen small airways (bronchioles) make breathing difficult, causing wheezing and coughing.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, preschool children who go to day care can develop roughly eight viral respiratory infections in a year. Typically, each infection will last for 10 days.

Pertussis

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that can be deadly in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children under 12 months old.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that occurs when the lung’s airways become inflamed. Asthma can be life threatening. A parent or caregiver should seek immediate medical attention if the child’s symptoms worsen.

They should also seek emergency medical help if the following occurs:

  • retractions, or fast breathing where the skin sucks in around the chest plate or rib bones when the child inhales
  • blue coloring in the face, fingernails, or lips
  • flaring, which is when the nostrils move rapidly
  • an expanded chest does not deflate when the child exhales
  • in infants, not recognizing or responding to a caregiver
  • the ribs or stomach move in and out quickly

Irritants

Children may inhale irritants in the environment that irritate the airway and cause inflammation, leading to a dry cough. Potential irritants include:

  • air pollution
  • cigarette smoke
  • fumes and vapors
  • dust
  • mold
  • dry air

Removal of the irritant usually resolves the cough. However, a child repeatedly exposed to irritants may develop a chronic cough.

Allergies

Allergies can cause a dry cough in children. A caregiver should seek emergency medical help if a child experiences any of the following symptoms:

Acid reflux and GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the stomach contents return to the esophagus. Although infants and children can occasionally experience reflux, only 1 in 4 children has symptoms of GERD.

GERD in children may cause dry cough, problems swallowing, and asthma symptoms. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.

Somatic cough

Some children present with a cough with no medical diagnosis and do not respond to treatment. Doctors previously labeled it as psychogenic, habit, or tic cough.

Doctors may diagnose this condition late, after prolonged attempts to diagnose and treat a child’s chronic cough. Most happen in children from 8 to 14 years old.

Foreign objects

It is typical for infants and young children to place things in their mouths. However, small objects may lodge in a child’s airway, and coughing may be their body’s attempt to remove the object.

Signs of choking include:

  • inability to cry or make sounds
  • struggling to breathe
  • chest and ribs pulling inward
  • becoming reddish to bluish in the face
  • fainting

“The main causes of dry cough in children can be broken down into infectious, allergic or inflammatory, and gastrointestinal causes. Infectious causes are the most common and include various illnesses such as respiratory viruses and bacteria.

“While most cases of dry cough in children that are due to infection resolve on their own, caregivers should seek medical attention if the dry cough is associated with a persistent fever, trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of appetite, or decreased fluid intake, and if the cough itself lasts longer than 2 weeks.”

— Megan Soliman, MD

If the child’s cough occurs toward the end of an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, and clears within 1 to 2 weeks, a parent or caregiver typically does not need to do anything specific to treat the cough.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coughing during a cold can help the body clear mucus from the airways and protect the lungs.

However, if the cough is dry or nonproductive, a caregiver should ensure the child drinks plenty of fluids and warm drinks to help soothe their throat. They can also try using a cool mist humidifier in the child’s room.

A 2021 review found that honey was better than standard treatments for cough in reducing symptoms, severity, and frequency of upper respiratory tract infections.

A caregiver can try giving the child honey, but only if the child is 12 months or older. Infants below this age do not have immunity to certain bacteria that may be present in honey.

Other treatments

The best treatments for a dry cough in children may depend on the underlying cause. Some potential options include:

  • Flu or COVID-19: Vaccinations are available to protect a child against illnesses such as the flu and COVID-19.
  • Pertussis: According to the CDC, a doctor can treat pertussis with antibiotics in infants.
  • Asthma: A doctor or allergist may prescribe an inhaler for quick symptom relief and long-term control. A person may also use a nebulizer. A healthcare professional can teach the caregiver and child how to use this device.
  • Allergies: Healthcare professionals may suggest over-the-counter treatments, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, or decongestants. If the allergies are severe, a child may need allergy shots.
  • GERD: Doctors may advise lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain foods, eating smaller meals, and changing sleep positions. They may also prescribe medications, such as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors, or surgery in severe cases.
  • Somatic coughs: Habit coughs may be related to anxiety and stress. Parents can help identify triggers to diminish the coughing. A 2020 review found that behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for the condition.

If a child shows signs of choking, caregivers should seek immediate help. If they can see the obstruction, they should try to remove it, but they should not reach into the mouth if they cannot see the obstruction, as this may push it deeper.

If they cannot see the obstruction, they may need to try back blows, chest thrusts, or abdominal thrusts. They can call 911 and put the operator on loudspeaker while they attempt this.

A doctor will examine the child and ask about other symptoms and how long they have had the cough.

During the exam, the doctor may evaluate the child’s breathing, vital signs, lungs, and other areas of the body. These steps may be enough to determine the cause of the cough.

In some cases, such as allergic reactions, allergy tests may be necessary to determine the cause. A child may need to see an allergist for treatment in these cases.

A caregiver should take their child in for a medical evaluation if they have a cough that lasts longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Other reasons to seek medical care include the following signs and symptoms:

  • a high fever or any fever in an infant
  • rapid breathing
  • trouble breathing or catching breath
  • coughing up blood
  • signs of dehydration
  • a whooping sound when the child coughs
  • a wheezing sound when the child breathes

A caregiver should also seek emergency care for a child if they show signs of a severe asthma attack or severe allergic reaction.

If a caregiver is unsure what is causing the cough or is concerned, they should take the child to see a doctor or other healthcare professional.

There are several potential causes of a dry cough, including infections, allergens, pollutants, and asthma.

If a child has a dry cough, a caregiver may be able to monitor and treat the cough at home.

If a child has a known underlying condition, treating that condition should help the cough clear. However, if a caregiver does not know what is causing the cough or a child has a high fever or other symptoms, they should take the child to see their doctor.