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Croup
What
is it?
Croup
is a swelling of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box).
When this swelling occurs, it makes breathing loud and, often, difficult
for the baby. It can be quite alarming to new parents and babies
alike.
Symptoms:
- “bark
like” cough also described as a seal’s bark
- Stridor
(or difficult, loud breathing)
- Croup
can be accompanied by a low fever. Fever may be as high as 104 (see
“Fever Guidelines”) or he may have no fever at all. Your
baby will be contagious until the fever has been gone for 24 hours.
- Some
babies have other upper respiratory symptoms, like a runny/stuffy
nose or sinus headache.
- The
croup cough tends to occur more frequently at night.
- The
croup cough may make your baby hoarse.
Cause:
- Croup
is a viral infection in the vocal cords. Because it is viral, it
cannot be treated with antibiotics.
- It
is contagious and spread through droplets (mucus or saliva).
Treatment:
- Steam
(put your child in his car seat or carrier on the bathroom floor
while the shower runs)
- Place
a humidifier in his room
- Put
him in his stroller and take a walk in the early morning or evening
when the air is coolest. This also works in a car with the windows
rolled down so the cool air can circulate.
- In
more severe cases, your child’s doctor may prescribe oral steroids
to reduce the swelling in his throat.
- Try
to calm a coughing baby. Crying only worsens croup. Reading or singing
to a baby may aid in calming him.
- Make
sure your child is getting a lot of fluid. This will help thin any
secretions in his airway. He may not feel like eating but keep him
drinking.
- Cough
syrup or suppressants will not help. NEVER give an infant medication
that you haven’t asked his pediatrician about.
- Keep
children away from smoke (cigarette or other). Smoke will aggravate
coughs, especially croup.
Also:
- This
condition is most likely to begin after a respiratory infection
in children age 6 months to 3 years. The infection symptoms may
persist along with the cough.
- It
is most common in the months from October to March.
- A
child who has had croup once is likely to get it again. This cycle
may repeat until age 4-5 (when his airway is large enough to “outgrow”
the swelling).
- Croup
is contagious. Keep your baby away from other children as long as
he has his cough or fever.
- Croup
generally lasts 5 to 6 days. On average, a child with croup will have three nights of the harsh
cough.
Call
the doctor if:
- You
suspect your baby has croup
- Your
child has stridor, or difficult breathing, when at rest or sleeping.
Croup can become serious if breathing is labored even when the cough
is not present. This is a sign that the airway is highly constricted
and it can be very dangerous. If you cannot get through to your
doctor or if you are concerned with your child’s breathing,
go to an urgent care center or call 911. If at any time his lips
or fingers turn blue, call 911 immediately.
-
Your child has had croup before and the at-home remedies aren’t
working to reduce his cough.
- Your
child is resisting drinking fluids for 24 hours.
- Croup
lasts longer than 6 days without improvement.
- Follow
your instincts. If you feel something is wrong with your child,
don’t hesitate taking him to an urgent care center or calling
911.
For More
Info:
“American
Academy of Pediatrics Guide To Your Child’s Symptoms: The Official,
Complete Home Reference, Birth Through Adolescence” by Donald
Schiff, et al
Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Mayo Clinic
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