Wheezing in Children

Wheezing is a high purring or whistling sound. You hear it more on breathing out than in. Air flowing through swollen or tight breathing tubes usually causes wheezing.

Signs & Symptoms

Wheezing is a breathing sound that is high-pitched and tight. It has a purring or whistling sound and you can hear it best when your child is breathing out.

Wheezing means it is hard for your child to breathe. Check with the doctor if your child wheezes.

Causes

• Asthma - This is the number one cause
• Something caught in the windpipe
• A lung problem the child was born with
• Pneumonia

Self-Care

• Have your child drink warm, clear liquids. These help thin the mucus. Don’t give your child ice-cold drinks.
• Set up a cool-mist vaporizer. Or take your child to the bathroom and turn on the hot water in the sink and shower.
• If your child has asthma, follow what your child’s doctor says.
• Small children can breathe in things like small toy parts and foods like peanuts and popcorn. Keep these things away from small children.