Can allergies make kids cough at night?

Allergy cough in kids may be worse at night, especially if they react to dust mites. The tiny bugs love beds and cuddly toys. Coughs can start because sinuses inflamed by allergies may drain down the back of their throat. Or it could be an allergic asthma symptom.

You may have thought your child had a cold. The symptoms can look very similar. But if your child’s cough has gone on for longer than 3 weeks – it may be time to see your healthcare provider, it could be allergies instead:

1. Post-nasal drip: Breathing in dust mite waste, pollen, pet dander or mold can cause symptoms in allergic children’s airways. Their body makes mucus to flush out the tiny particles. This drains down the back of the throat and the medical term for it is post-nasal drip. It happens all the time but kids don’t notice it until they get snotty with hay fever symptoms. The mucus can irritate their throat and make them cough. And it tends to be worse when they’re lying down.

2. Allergic asthma: The same airborne allergy triggers are among the most common causes of asthma flare-ups in children. Their airways are hypersensitive so get inflamed easily and phlegm can build up in the lungs. Your child automatically tries to clear this, which can cause a persistent cough.