Recurring cough, wheeze and suspected allergy
Children may cough or wheeze for many reasons, and symptoms that appear to be an allergy can have other explanations. Assessment starts with the pattern: age at onset, triggers, frequency, night symptoms, activity limits, family history, previous treatment and the child’s condition between episodes.
Breathing difficulty, blue lips, marked drowsiness, inability to speak or feed normally, or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent medical care. This service page cannot diagnose asthma or allergy and does not replace an emergency plan provided for a child.
Before, during and after
Describe triggers and timing
Note whether symptoms follow infection, exercise, dust, animals, food, weather or another exposure.
Bring previous treatment
Inhalers, spacers, prescriptions and earlier reports help the clinician understand what has been tried.
Ask for a written plan
When appropriate, families should understand daily care, symptom relief and escalation steps.
What parents often ask
No. Wheeze has different causes, particularly in younger children, and needs clinical assessment.
Do not make major dietary restrictions without professional advice; unnecessary avoidance can affect nutrition.
No. History, examination and sometimes targeted testing are needed.