Croup is a viral infection that children can get between 3 months and 3 years old. The infection makes your child's throat give off mucus. The mucus gets dry and thick and makes it hard for your child to breathe. Your child gasps for air and makes a high, whistling sound like a seal's bark. Croup is scary, but not usually dangerous.
Steam can make the mucus soft and wet again. Sometimes you can make your child better with steam. (See the Self-Care Tips below.) Children usually stop getting croup as they get older and their windpipe becomes wider.
Croup usually goes away in 3 to 7 days and is usually worse at night. Sometimes the doctor can give your child a prescription when the croup starts. This may help your child feel better.
Sometimes your child shows the signs of croup, but something else is wrong.
Your child may have one of these problems:
Epiglottitis. This looks like
croup but is more serious. Children who are more than 3 years old can get it. Epiglottitis
is when the piece of skin at the back of the throat swells up and blocks the throat. If
the throat is blocked, it can also stop your child's breathing. Here are some
signs of epiglottitis:
Drooling
Hanging the head down
Sticking out the jaw when breathing
Fever
Something may be stuck in your child's windpipe. Get help right away if this happens.
Prevention
Run a humidifier near your
child's bed if he or she has croup. Do this many nights in a row. If your child has a
fever, use a "cool-mist" vaporizer instead. Clean it every day.
Buy a humidifier for your furnace. Change
the filter often.
Does your child have any of these problems? Works very hard to breathe Can't swallow |
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| Is your child doing these things? Drooling Breathing through the mouth Sticking the chin out Gasping for air |
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| Are your child's lips and nails turning blue or dark? |
|
| Does your child still make sounds like a barking seal and have
trouble breathing after you have: Used steam for 15 minutes or more,
or Taken your child out in the cold night air
for 15 minutes |
|
| Does your child make a high, whistling sound like a barking seal? |
 |
Don't panic. You can help your child
stay calm if you stay calm.
Hold your child to comfort him or her. The windpipe may open up a little if your child
relaxes.
Use a hot bath or shower:
Go into the bathroom with your child and close the door.
Turn on the hot water in the sink and shower. Let the steam fill the room.
Don't put your child in the shower. Sit with your child on the toilet or in a chair.
(Don't sit on
the floor.) Read a book or play a game with
your child. This will help pass the time.
Open the window to let in cool air. This helps make more steam.
Stay in the bathroom about 15 minutes. Or take your child outside if the air is cool. Let
him
or her breathe the cold night air. Get
emergency care if this doesn't help.
Use a vaporizer in your child's room.
"Cool-mist" vaporizers are safer than hot ones. Use distilled water, not tap
water. Clean the vaporizer every day.
Give your child clear liquids, such as
apple juice or tea. Warm the clear liquid first. Warm liquids may help loosen the mucus.
Crying is a good sign. It means your child
is getting better.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99