Dry Cough in Kids: Causes, Remedies, and When to See a Doctor

Nicole Harris
·5 min read
Ill little boy coughing while resting in bed at home
Ill little boy coughing while resting in bed at home

skynesher/Getty Images

Not every cough produces mucus (or phlegm). Many people use dry coughs, for example, to clear tickles from their throat. But that is not the only reason. Usually triggered by irritation along the upper respiratory tract, dry coughs—also known as nonproductive coughs—can be caused by allergies, acid reflux, asthma, or other factors. Keep reading to learn more about dry coughs, from they really are to the best dry cough remedies for kids.

What is a Dry Cough?

Wondering how to tell if your child has a dry cough? Look for the following symptoms:

  • Coughing without mucus or phlegm

  • Hacking sound that may appear forceful

  • Sensation of tickling in the throat

  • A cough that lingers for weeks after an illness subsides

Dry Cough Causes

Dry coughs, in both toddlers and older kids, have numerous causes. Check out this list and ask your doctor for a definitive diagnosis.

Acid Reflux or GERD

During an episode of acid reflux, stomach contents release into the esophagus, triggering a dry, irritation-induced cough. Chronic acid reflux, which is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), could cause persistent dry cough in kids or babies. Other symptoms of GERD include heartburn, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food into the throat, stomach pain, choking, bad breath, and chest pain.

Allergies

Allergies happen when your immune system considers a foreign substance (like pollen or pet hair) to be a threat. Your body responds by producing more mucus, which can travel down your throat as cough-inducing postnasal drip. Other allergy symptoms include red itchy eyes, sneezing, ear congestion, and sinus pressure.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes your child's airways to swell when exposed to a trigger (dust, pollen, illness, etc.) This can lead to lung inflammation and symptoms like dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest congestion.

COVID-19

COVID-19 has a host of symptoms, but dry cough seems to be relatively common. If your child is experiencing a dry cough with fever and shortness of breath, contact your healthcare provider—especially if you've had possible exposure to the virus. Other COVID-19 symptoms might include body aches, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, sore throat, and gastrointestinal issues.

Croup

Croup is a viral infection that inflames the vocal cords and larynx. It targets children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years, often in late winter. One telltale sign is a baby dry cough that's harsh, barking, and gets worse at night. Your child may also have noisy breathing or a hoarse voice.

Irritants in the Environment

Some children are extra sensitive to irritants in the environment, such as dust, car exhaust, smoke, and mold. Exposure can bring on a dry cough, especially if the air lacks moisture. It can turn into a chronic dry cough with prolonged exposure to the irritant.

Upper Respiratory Infection (Cold or Flu)

Influenza and the common cold both have many symptoms, which might include a wet cough. But after the virus leaves your body, a persistent dry cough (caused by residual mucus) can stick around for days or weeks. Other viral infections associated with dry cough include pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious infection of the upper respiratory tract. It often starts with cold-like symptoms, then turns into a persistent cough with "whooping" sounds, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever. Whooping cough isn't very common now because there's a vaccine for it. However, it can be fatal in babies who develop serious complications like pneumonia.

Other Causes of Dry Cough in Kids

Additional dry cough causes include:

  • Inhaling food or a small toy. A kid will often have a dry and wheezing cough when there's a blockage in the airway. If they can still breath fine, try releasing the item with pats on the back, then visit a doctor if it doesn't dislodge. Call 9-1-1 and dislodge the object immediately if your child is in obvious distress, is making throat-grabbing motions, or has pale or blue skin.

  • A "habit" cough with no particular cause.

  • Side effect from medications, such as ACE inhibitors.

When to See a Doctor for Dry Cough

In most cases, a toddler dry cough, baby dry cough, or child dry cough will go away on its own. But you should visit the pediatrician if the coughing lasts longer than 2 to 3 weeks, since it could indicate a chronic condition like asthma or GERD. Also see the doctor if your child is younger than 4 months or has any of the following symptoms:

Dry cough treatment will depend upon the underlying cause. The doctor will first ask himself, "What does the dry cough mean?" before making a treatment plan. For example, those with asthma may need an inhaler, while those with GERD might need to implement diet and lifestyle changes. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or antihistamines in certain cases.

Dry Cough Remedies for Kids

Wondering how to get rid of dry cough at home? First things first, avoid giving cough syrups and cough medicine to young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says there's no evidence that cough medicine is effective for children younger than 6, and it can have dangerous consequences for those under 4 years old. That said, consider using the following home remedies for dry cough.

  • To treat a dry cough at night, put a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child's room. The moisture helps open the airways to relieve dry cough.

  • Lift your child's bed for elevated sleeping, which could help dry cough from GERD or postnasal drop.

  • Serve your child warm liquids, like decaffeinated tea or chicken broth. Warm liquids loosen up mucus and create a soothing sensation.

  • Consider giving your child cough drops or throat lozenges (as long as they're old enough to suck on them without swallowing). These products contain throat-soothing ingredients like menthol and honey, which may serve as a dry cough treatment.

  • To ease throat irritation, older kids can take a hot shower. Younger kids can sit in a steamy bathroom with their parents for about 20 minutes.