Croup usually begins like a normal cold, e.g. fever, runny nose and cough. Your child's cough will change to become harsh and barking, and might sound like a seal. Your child's voice may be hoarse. When your child breathes in, they may make a squeaky, high pitched noise, which is called stridor.
Hughes, signs your child has severe croup include: Difficulty breathing accompanied by a “barking” or “croupy” cough. Stridor (noisy breathing with inspiration) even at rest. Chest area around the collarbone and ribs pulling in with each breath (called retraction)
It can be scary because it comes on suddenly, often in the middle of the night. Your child may go to bed well and wake up in a few hours, gasping for breath. They will be hoarse and have stridor when they breathe in. They may also have a barky cough.
Published guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of croup advise using steroids as the mainstay treatment for all children who present to emergency department (ED) with croup symptoms. Dexamethasone, given orally as a single dose at 0.6 mg/kg, is highly efficacious in treating croup symptoms.
Croup usually gets better on its own within 48 hours.
How is croup treated? Mild croup – Mild croup can usually be treated at home. Home treatment includes using mist from a humidifier or by sitting with the child in a bathroom filled with steam generated by running hot water from the shower. Hot steam humidifiers should be avoided because of the risk of burns.
Breathing in moist air can effectively help you or your child unclog the upper respiratory as well as cure your breathing problems. If you need the immediate treatment, you can inhale the hot water from your sink in your bathroom so that your nose can be unblocked and you might breathe more easily.
Sleep. Children with croup should be allowed to rest as much as possible because this helps their body to fight the viral infection that is responsible for causing croup.
Croup often begins without warning, in the middle of the night. The symptoms are often worse at night, and are at their worst on the second or third night of the illness.
Most often, croup lasts 5 to 6 days and becomes worse at night. The croupy cough can last up to 2 weeks.
How long does Croup last? - Croup often runs its course within 3 to 4 days. Your child's cough may improve during the day, but don't be surprised if it returns at night. You may want to sleep near your child or even in the same room so that you can take quick action if your child's symptoms become severe.
Croup occurs most often during the fall and winter seasons, but it can occur year round. It usually affects children 3 months to 5 years of age. Croup is contagious (can be spread to others). A child can get croup more than once.
Symptoms of croup
a bark-like cough. a hoarse or croaky voice. difficulty breathing. a harsh grating sound when breathing in, called stridor.
Because croup is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help your child get better. But children sometimes get an ear infection or other bacterial infection along with croup. Antibiotics may help in that case. The doctor has checked your child carefully, but problems can develop later.
Doctors can usually diagnose croup by listening for the telltale barking cough and stridor. They will also ask if your child has had any recent illnesses with a fever, runny nose and congestion, and if your child has a history of croup or upper airway problems.
Keeping the Head Elevated: Use pillows to prop up the child's head unless they are under 1 year of age. Sleep in the same room to provide comfort and help in case the coughing returns. Moistening the Air: Moist air helps to calm down the symptoms. Use a humidifier to moisten the air.
Diagnosis of croup is based on clinical findings of barking cough, stridor, and hoarseness. Diagnostic testing is typically not necessary. Humidified air inhalation does not improve symptoms in patients with moderate croup. Corticosteroids should be administered to patients with croup of any severity.
Croup often begins as an ordinary cold. If there's enough swelling, irritation and coughing, a child can develop: Loud barking cough that's made worse by crying and coughing, as well as anxiety and distress, setting up a cycle of worsening symptoms.
Croup is very contagious. Your child should stay home from school until after their fever is gone.
Croup can be mild in nature and may even resolve without medical attention; however, if left untreated, severe cases can eventually lead to respiratory failure.
The milk and dairy become more acidic as they sit in the stomach and curdle, and the high sugar content breaks down into acid. This will make anyone “upchuck” a little into the throat, which I believe triggers the laryngospasm. (PS, strawberry milk is also bad.)
Age 1 year and older: use Honey ½ to 1 teaspoon (2-5 mL) as needed. It works as a homemade cough medicine. It can thin the secretions and loosen the cough. If you don't have any honey, you can use corn syrup.
Children with croup have trouble breathing because their small airways swell. Common symptoms include a barking cough, fever, runny nose, and high-pitched “creaking” or whistling sound (stridor) when breathing in. Most cases are mild and can be managed at home.