Vocal Cord Nodules: How to Care for Your Child

Vocal cord nodules are small lumps that develop on the vocal cords. When a person strains their voice, the vocal cords may swell. Vocal cord nodules may form if the strain continues. Nodules don't hurt, but they can make kids sound hoarse or have a rough, scratchy voice. The health care provider diagnosed the nodules by using a tiny camera to see the vocal cords. Vocal cord nodules usually go away on their own or with speech therapy.

• Encourage your child not to yell or whisper. Use your own voice to show your child how to speak at a safe volume.

• Help your child switch between periods of talking or noisy play (such as singing and team sports) and periods of quiet. Suggest quiet times throughout the day to give your child's voice a rest, especially after using the voice a lot.

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of water. 

• Your child should avoid drinks with bubbles (such as soda) or caffeine (such as coffee, tea, chocolate drinks, and cola). These can bother the throat.

• Instead of coughing or clearing the throat, your child can try swallowing or taking a sip of water.

• Teach your child to whistle or clap instead of cheering and yelling at sporting events.

• Make your car and home smoke-free. If anyone in your household smokes, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.smokefree.gov for advice on quitting.

• Your child's voice doesn't return to normal.

• Your child has throat pain for no clear reason.

What activities strain the vocal cords? Vocal cord strain can happen from:

• lots of screaming, shouting, singing, or loud talking

• coughing or clearing the throat a lot

• speaking or singing in a higher or lower voice than is comfortable

Do some conditions make a person more likely to get vocal cord nodules? Yes, kids are more likely to get vocal cord nodules if they: 

• have allergies or acid reflux (when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus)

• smoke or live with smokers

• have nasal congestion and clear their throat a lot

How are vocal cord nodules treated? Most nodules go away when kids learn to use their voice correctly. Some kids need to see a speech therapist to learn how to sing and talk without straining their vocal cords. Getting treatment for acid reflux or allergies also can help the vocal cords heal. Rarely, kids need surgery to remove nodules.