WHEEZING (Other Than Asthma)

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD WHEEZING (If Your Doctor Doesn't Need to See Your Child)

  1. Warm Fluids for Coughing Spasms:  For any bouts of severe coughing, offer warm apple juice or lemonade if older than 4 months old.  (Reason: These can relax the airway and loosen up sticky secretions).  Do not give any cough medicine.
  2. Suction for a blocked nose:  If the nose is blocked up, your child will not be able to drink from a bottle or breast-feed.  Most stuffy noses are blocked by dried or sticky mucus.  Wash out the dried secretions with warm water or saline nose drops. Use 1 drop at a time in infants.  This will loosen up the sticky mucus.  Then use a suction bulb.  Repeat nosedrops until open.  Make saline nosedrops by adding ½ tsp of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz) of warm water.
  3. Humidifier:  If the air is dry in your home, run a humidifier.
  4. Smaller Feedings:  Encourage small, frequent feedings whenever your child has the energy to drink.  (Reason: child with wheezing doesn't have enough energy for long feedings).
  5. Avoid Tobacco Smoke:  Active or passive smoking makes coughs much worse.
  6. Contagiousness:  Your child can return to day care after the wheezing and fever are gone.
  7. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Breathing becomes difficult, tight or loud.
    • Wheezing becomes worse or your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 7/2002

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