Child with cough

[Nans107]

My daughter has asthma - she has had a re-occurant cough for quite some time, in the past the doctor has put her on an antibiotic and cough- suppressant with coedine and within 1-2 day it goes away, but then the next month it comes back. I have noticed that it has returned after visiting g-mas house (house is 5 years old, but two cats are present and recently has had water damage (mold?).  Could that be the problem. She is coughing every 2-15 seconds - it is a dry cough and is bothersome to her as well.  She sniffs so there could be nasal drainage but nothing green and no sign of infection. Doesn't seem congested at all. I am stumped......this has been going on for about a 1/2 a year. I just noticed the g-ma house after the last two times going there and her developing the cough.....worried about lungs, but doesnt seem to be struggling for breath.

HELP!

[Sunny602]

It could very well be mold or the kitties! One thing you can do to find out for sure is to get allergy testing for your girl. My son was 3 when he got the skin scratch test to determine his allergies...the doctor essentially pricked his back with specific antigens (mold, dust, cat dander, trees..etc) and watched for any hives to spring up. It turns out that my son is severely allergic to molds..If it turns out to be allergies, then you can take measures to help prevent or reduce exposure to the offending antigen and your daughter's cough should improve. The doc may also place her on medications to help with the allergies.
As far as that cough, is it a dry cough? Alot of people with asthma have a dry cough with no other symptoms unless something really sets it off. Most kids with asthma don't wheeze all of the time unless it is out of control , coughing is actually a common symptom. Here is a link that describes childhood asthma: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22782

It wouldn't be a bad idea to approach the doc about the possiblity of allergies/asthma. I hope you find answers soon, Sunny