Croup

Croup is an infection that makes your windpipe (trachea) and voice box (larynx) swell. It is what happens when your child gets a cold. It is usually seen in children who are 1 to 3 years old but may be seen at a younger or older age. Croup usually lasts about 5 or 6 days.

Usually children get croup when the weather is cooler like fall, winter and spring.

Home Treatment:

• Keep your home smoke free
• Allow your child to sit or lie in a position that is comfortable for them.
• Give them lots of juice and water to drink. Warm chicken broth can help improve their cough. You should not give them cough medicine, unless the doctor says that it is O.K. If your child makes a crowing sound when breathing try:
• Get them to breathe through a warm, moist facecloth that you put loosely over their mouth and nose
• Turning the hot water on in your bathroom shower with the door closed until your bathroom gets foggy, then sit in the room with your child with the door closed for about 10 min.
• Putting warm clothes on them and take them out in the night air for 10 min.
• A 10 min drive in an unheated car sometimes helps. Dress your child warmly.

Return immediately to the Emergency Department IF:

• Your child starts to drool or has a problem swallowing.
• Your child's lips and skin are a little blue or a dark color.
• After trying the above suggestions and your child still is not breathing very well.
• Your child is cranky and can not stay still.
• Your child does not look any better.
• Your child makes a "squeaking" noise when they breathe in.
• Your child's nostrils move in and out (flare)
• Your child's fever is higher than 39.4C (103F)
• Your child's croup lasts more than 3 nights.

If you cannot get them to the Emergency Department right away call 911.