What Causes Croupy Cough in Infants Without Nasal Congestion?

It is not uncommon for an infant to have a cough, even one that can occasionally sound harsh. There are lots of reasons for infant coughing, from benign and useful, to an indicator that something is amiss. Everything from viruses, infection, a tickle in the throat to the common cold can cause coughing in an infant that appears without a runny nose and can sound quite abrasive. Watch for other symptoms with the cough and the persistence of the cough.

Viruses that Cause Coughing

• A harsh cough without a runny nose or congestion can be due to a virus. One of the more common viruses that hit infants is respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. RSV often appears like a cold, with a cough and slight fever. If the cough is persistent, and the child starts wheezing, loses her appetite and becomes fussy, a call to the pediatrician is in order. RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, which impacts the airways with mucous making breathing difficult, or pneumonia, which is a severe infection in the lungs. Both are extremely serious in infants and require medical intervention and support. Croup, the harsh "barky" cough, is also usually the result of a virus that has progressed, and again, your infant will need to see her pediatrician.

Infections that Cause Coughing

• Infections can be the coughing culprit. Pertussis, more commonly referred to as "whooping cough," is an infection caused by bacteria in the airways. Whooping cough is a persistent cough that doesn't allow for breaths in between. Most infants are vaccinated before age 1 for pertussis and are protected.

Daytime Coughing

• For some babies the cough is only present during the day. These coughs are usually due to changes in the temperature. Cold air can cause coughing as can dry heat. Air conditioners and heaters can dry the air in a room and cause coughing. Moving around a lot can cause debris to catch in an infant's throat and can cause coughing, too.

Nighttime Coughing

• An infant who is only coughing at night, or whose cough worsens at nighttime, may be exhibiting early signs of asthma. The throat is more sensitive at night in asthmatics and more likely to be irritated into a cough. An infant who is coughing at night may need medical attention to provide preventative care.

Allergies

• It is not uncommon for infants to exhibit allergies and intolerance in the early months as the body adjusts. One sign that an infant is having trouble with an element in his environment is coughing. This can be environmental, such as molds or pollens, or dietary such as something the mother is eating that is present in the breast milk and causing an irritation. Alert your infant's pediatrician and she will give you the tools necessary to pinpoint the possible trigger or she will perform tests that reveal the cause.

Treating a Cough

• Always talk with your pediatrician or your pediatrician's nurse about home treatments to aid your infant's cough. Never give your baby cough medicine or Vicks rub on her chest. To get through the night until you can call your infant's doctor there are a few things that can ease an infant's coughing. Humidifiers can be quite soothing, as can 10 minutes in a parent's arms in a steamy bathroom. Nursing can be soothing, coat the throat and help the baby relax and sleep due to the prolactin in breast milk.