Wheezing happens when the breathing tubes in the lungs are narrowed. You can hear a whistling sound when you breathe.

An asthma attack is a common cause of wheezing. Other causes include respiratory infections like influenza (flu) or pneumonia, bronchitis (inflammation of the airways), allergic reactions, and smoking.

Wheezing requires medical attention if it is severe or also includes difficulty breathing.

This article covers the symptoms and causes of wheezing, medications that can cause wheezing, its treatment and diagnosis, complications of wheezing, and when to get medical care for wheezing.

Symptoms of Wheezing

Symptoms of wheezing can include:

  • A high-pitched whistling when breathing out, breathing in, or bothTrouble breathingSymptoms of an asthma attack, such as coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath

Causes of Wheezing

The most common causes of wheezing are:

  • An asthma attack, which is when airways become narrowed and cause difficulty breathing
  • Breathing an unknown substance into the lungs
  • Lung infections like bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia
  • Viruses, including the common cold, in children

Other causes of wheezing include:

  • Allergic reaction to an insect bite or a medication
  • Acid reflux
  • Heart failure
  • Smoking

What Medications Can Cause Wheezing?

Several medications can cause an asthma attack, including:

  • Aspirin
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These include Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)
  • Beta-blockers: Commonly prescribed for heart conditions, high blood pressure, and migraines

Allergic reactions can also cause wheezing. Common drug allergies that might cause wheezing include:

  • Antibiotics
  • Anticonvulsants (anti-seizure medications)
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (a type of anti-hypertensive medication)

How to Treat Wheezing

In emergency situations, treating wheezing might include:

  • An asthma inhaler
  • Epinephrine injection (used to combat severe allergic reactions)

Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Wheezing?

To determine the cause of wheezing that doesn’t respond to at-home treatment, a healthcare provider might do the following:

At-Home Treatments for Wheezing

To treat wheezing at home, it’s advised to:

  • Conduct a physical exam and asked about the wheezing’s timeline and severity levelListen to your lungsBlood tests, including tests to check the amount of oxygen in the bloodChest X-ray or lung function tests

At a hospital, treatment might include:

  • Intravenous (IV) medications
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Close monitoring
  • Blood tests
  • Chest X-ray
  • Computed tomography (CT) chest scan

When to See a Healthcare Provider

It’s advised to see a healthcare provider if a case of wheezing:

  • Occurs regularly, especially without a known causeHappens without a known causeOccurs for the first timeCannot be controlled with prescribed inhalers

Wheezing can require emergency care when:

  • Caused by an allergic reaction to medicine or an insect biteAccompanied by changes in skin color or feeling disorientedCausing breathing trouble

Summary

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that happens with breathing. It usually occurs during an asthma attack, a lung illness, or when a foreign object reaches the lungs. Allergic reactions, smoking, acid reflux disease, and heart failure can also cause wheezing.

Wheezing: When to Seek Emergency Care

With wheezing, emergency care is advised if:

Aspirin, NSAIDs, beta-blockers, and antibiotics can increase the chance of an asthma attack or an allergic attack that could include wheezing.

Treating wheezing in an emergency might include using an asthma inhaler or an epinephrine shot for an allergy. For mild wheezing, at-home treatments include breathing in warm and humid air. Avoiding smoke, drinking warm fluids, and doing breathing exercises could also help.

Diagnosing the cause behind a case of wheezing might require a physical examination, chest X-rays, lung exams, and blood tests.

A Word From Verywell

Wheezing can be uncomfortable and even frightening, but the good news is that pinpointing the cause and preventing further instances are possible. In children, wheezing is often caused by an infection, which can also be treated. If you are experiencing wheezing for the first time, it’s advised to get emergency care to rule out any life-threatening conditions like allergies or an asthma attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is wheezing dangerous?
  • Wheezing can be dangerous if its cause is unknown or if it’s left untreated in severe cases. In case of an allergy or asthma attack, getting treatment from an inhaler or epinephrine shot is crucial. In milder cases, wheezing can be addressed at home, since it’s likely caused by a cold or other viral infection (especially in children).
  • Learn More:
  • Wheezing: When to See a Healthcare Provider
  • Can wheezing be treated at home?
  • In cases of wheezing caused by an infection or cold, the condition may be able to be treated at home. Sitting in warm and humid air, such as in a steamy bathroom or next to a vaporizer, could help with discomfort. Avoiding allergens, smoke, and cold air could also help, as could drinking warm fluids. For children, keeping them calm can be helpful. If your wheezing is getting worse, seek medical care right away.
  • Learn More:
  • Home Remedies for Wheezing
  • Is wheezing a symptom of COVID-19?
  • Wheezing can be a symptom of COVID-19 in some people, especially those who have asthma. Shortness of breath is also a symptom of both conditions.However, unlike asthma attacks, COVID-19 could also be accompanied by a fever, swelling, rash, loss of taste or small, and nasal congestion.
  • Learn More:
  • Do I Have a Cold or COVID?

Wheezing can be dangerous if its cause is unknown or if it’s left untreated in severe cases. In case of an allergy or asthma attack, getting treatment from an inhaler or epinephrine shot is crucial. In milder cases, wheezing can be addressed at home, since it’s likely caused by a cold or other viral infection (especially in children).

In cases of wheezing caused by an infection or cold, the condition may be able to be treated at home. Sitting in warm and humid air, such as in a steamy bathroom or next to a vaporizer, could help with discomfort. Avoiding allergens, smoke, and cold air could also help, as could drinking warm fluids. For children, keeping them calm can be helpful. If your wheezing is getting worse, seek medical care right away.

Wheezing can be a symptom of COVID-19 in some people, especially those who have asthma. Shortness of breath is also a symptom of both conditions.