What is wheezing: causes and treatment 2026

Both cough and wheezing can become two common symptoms of childhood illness. And, in general, they do not have to mean that the child has a serious condition, although it is true that, at first, they can sound terrible and become a cause of distress for parents. Coughing, as you probably know, is actually a normal, completely healthy and fundamental reflex, useful for clearing the airways, whether in the throat or chest.

In most cases, it is possible to relieve the symptoms of cough and wheezing at home. But if symptoms become more severe, your child may need urgent medical attention. For example, a child may stop breathing during a severe respiratory attack. Thus, if the child becomes distressed or his symptoms do not alleviate, the best thing to do is to take him to the medical center immediately.

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Furthermore, when they arise it does not necessarily mean that the child has asthma. Or that I can develop it in the future. Furthermore, as many doctors believe, not all children who have episodes of wheezing develop asthma, while not all children who have asthma develop wheezing.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to keep in mind that if the child suddenly starts coughing without first feeling bad, it is essential to check if he or she may be suffocating. If so, emergency treatment is required immediately.

What does wheezing consist of?

It is estimated that approximately 25 to 30 percent of babies will have at least one episode of wheezing. And about half of children have a history of wheezing by age 6.

Wheezing, more than a condition or disease, is a symptom. Basically it is a whistle that occurs when breathing. That is, it is a hissing and screeching sound that arises - and can be heard - during breathing.

Because a child's airways are smaller, any infection that affects the lower airways, such as respiratory syncytial virus, could cause wheezing.

And its causes?

In reality, there are several causes that can cause wheezing to appear in a baby or small child. Below we indicate the most common ones:

Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that usually occurs in babies under 1 year of age, and is more common in babies under 5 months of age. And, furthermore, it is common in babies during the winter months, especially if the little one is born in those months.

It is generally caused by a virus, and occurs when the bronchioles, present in the lungs, are inflamed. Congestion may also appear, and if the baby has this disease, he may develop a cough.

Wheezing caused by bronchiolitis tends to take a while to go away. Most children improve at home, although in only a small percentage of cases they may need to be hospitalized.

Allergies can cause the baby's body to generate extra phlegm. And since the little one is not yet able to blow his nose or clear his throat, that phlegm stays longer in his nasal passages, which are also characterized by being narrower.

If the baby has tried a new food, or has been exposed to a contaminant, an allergy may be the cause of the wheezing. However, in babies under one year old, it is usually a rare cause.

Sometimes, even less than usually thought, wheezing in a baby or toddler can be a sign of asthma. Although it is more likely if, for example, the child has a history of asthma, if the parents smoke in their presence, or if the mother did so when she was pregnant.

Thus, if the child has continuous episodes of wheezing, the pediatrician may be able to perform some useful tests for diagnosis. Additionally, he or she may recommend some medications in order to check whether the baby's condition improves or not.

If it is recurrent wheezing, it can become a classic sign of asthma, especially if it includes other symptoms such as: shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, cough (which usually occurs at night), or both cough and wheezing worsen during certain pollen seasons.

How is it treated?

Treatment for wheezing depends on what is causing it. For example, if this is the first time a baby or toddler has wheezing, the pediatrician may allow parents to treat the symptoms at home before prescribing any medication.

In these cases, for example, it is possible to do it by:

• Humidifier. It is a device that provides humidity to the environment, which can help relieve any congestion that is causing wheezing in the baby.
• Nasal aspirator. If congestion continues, a mucus pump device can help absorb some of the mucus present in the child's upper airways. Of course, it is necessary to remember that both the nasal passages and the airways that go to the lungs are still developing, especially if your child is still a small baby. Therefore, you must always use this device with the utmost care, ensuring that you have completely disinfected it each time you use it.
• Nebulizer. It is also possible to prescribe the use of a nebulizer for the child. Sometimes a medicine, called albuterol or salbutamol, mixed with saline, is used to open the airways. It helps positively especially when wheezing is caused by asthma.

The pediatrician may also prescribe medications, although there are not many common cold or cough medications that can be safely given to an infant or toddler. Also, remember that honey should not be given to the baby to try to calm wheezing or to hydrate his throat, since there is a risk of infant botulism.