Wheezing
Wheezing is a high-pitched, whistling sound that you might hear when your child breathes out. It happens when your child’s lower airways in the lungs are narrowed or blocked. There are many reasons why your child might wheeze, and while it can be part of a cold, it’s important to know when it could be something more serious.
For children under 2 years old, bronchiolitis is a common cause of wheezing. This is a viral infection that affects the small airways, often caused by RSV. For older kids, asthma can be the culprit, especially if you notice wheezing that happens repeatedly.
In some cases, wheezing might happen if your child has inhaled a small object, like a peanut or a seed. If this is the case, the wheezing usually happens suddenly, often with coughing or choking.
If your child is wheezing, you can try some home care to help them feel better. Breathing in warm mist from a shower or sipping warm, clear fluids like apple juice can help relax the airways and ease the wheezing.
For little ones, avoid over-the-counter cough medicines; instead, soothe the cough with warm fluids or honey (for kids over a year old). If your child’s nose is blocked, saline drops can help clear out the mucus.
It’s also important to keep your home’s air moist, so using a humidifier can be helpful, especially in dry weather. Also, avoid tobacco smoke around your child, as it can make their wheezing much worse.
If your child has a high fever along with wheezing, is straining to breathe, has lips turning bluish, or has recently swallowed something like a coin and then started wheezing, please call us immediately or head straight to the emergency room.
For less urgent situations, like if the wheezing has lasted more than 8 hours without causing major breathing difficulties, or if your child has had a fever over 101°F for more than 24 hours, give us a call during regular office hours. When you reach out to us, here’s what we’ll want to know:
- Whether your child has had wheezing or asthma before
- Whether anyone in your family has asthma or other lung problems
- Whether your child is having trouble breathing, or if they have a cold right now
Your child’s comfort and safety are our top priorities. We’re here to help guide you through these situations and ensure your child gets the necessary care.