• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

When to Call a Doctor If My Child Is Wheezing

September 28, 2017 by ds_25061 Leave a Comment

Children often experience respiratory disorders that cause coughing. Some conditions are characterized by labored breathing or wheezing. Several disorders can cause wheezing and various accompanying symptoms. While home treatments may help with mild coughing and wheezing, serious symptoms require the attention of your child’s pediatrician.

Wheezing

Wheezing is a whistling noise that occurs when your child exhales and inhales. Although wheezing may sound awful, it seldom signals a serious disorder, according to the Better Health Channel, an Australian health and medical website. Common childhood illnesses often cause this reflexive respiratory action that helps clear the throat and chest.

Causes of Wheezing

Conditions that affect the respiratory system can cause wheezing. Colds and allergies can lead to coughing and wheezing. Exposing your child to cigarette smoke in your home or car can increase his risk of developing respiratory problems. Bronchiolitis, a viral infection of the respiratory system, can cause your child to wheeze. Asthma may also cause noisy breathing and wheezing sounds.

Home Treatments of Wheezing

If the wheezing doesn’t cause breathing problems and your child does not act distressed, you can probably comfort him at home. Offer him plenty of fluids, giving him small sips at frequent intervals rather than large drinks all at once. Add moisture to the air using a humidifier or the steam from a hot shower. Consult your doctor before offering your child an over-the-counter cough medicine.

Warning Signs

Some cases of wheezing require medical attention. Wheezing that doesn’t go away or keeps coming back can be a sign of asthma. Situations that require immediate medical care include rapid or irregular breathing, skin that appears blue or pale, unusual tiredness and refusal to eat or drink. While children frequently run fevers with respiratory disorders, a fever above 102 Fahrenheit can signal the presence of pneumonia, a serious illness requiring medical treatment. Noisy breathing can also alert you to a choking condition. A child who begins wheezing suddenly may be choking on a piece of food or other object. Choking is an emergency situation.

Medical Care

Your doctor may need to perform tests to determine the underlying cause of your child’s wheezing. The correct course of medical treatment depends on the reason for the respiratory disorder. Your child may require antibiotics to clear up bacterial infections or antihistamines to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Persistent coughing or wheezing may require antihistamines to help control allergy attacks.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Health/Fitness, Kids, Parenting

About ds_25061

Piper Li, a professional freelance writer, began writing in 1989. Her articles appear in Modern Mom, Biz Mojo, Walden University and GardenGuides. She is the co-editor for "Kansas Women: Focus on Health." With a bachelor's degree in journalism from Mesa State, Li enjoys writing about health, horticulture and business management.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

I look at my little girl, who is now three years old, and I … [Read More...] about 10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Pregnancy and Sinus Pain

Pregnancy and Sinus Pain

Signs That Your Toddler Has Been Touched Inappropriately

Cook London Broil in an Electric Pressure Cooker

How to Cook London Broil in an Electric Pressure Cooker

basal temperature as sign of pregnancy

Basal Temperature As Sign of Pregnancy

Early Signs of Pregnancy While on Birth Control

Early Signs of Pregnancy While on Birth Control

What Happens When You Mix Lemon Juice With Baking Soda?

What Happens When You Mix Lemon Juice With Baking Soda?

pregnant while not ovulating

Can I Get Pregnant While Not Ovulating?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.