Croup

What is a croupy cough?

A croupy cough is when your child has a tight, "barking" cough and usually a hoarse voice.

What is Stridor?

Stridor is when your child breathes in, you hear a harsh, raspy sound. This happens with severe croup.

What causes croup?

Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords. Stridor occurs as the opening between the cords becomes more narrow.

How can I take care of my child?

First Aid for Attacks of Stridor With Croup consists of inhalation of warm mist. Warm, moist air seems to work best to relax the vocal cords and break the stridor. Take your child into a foggy bathroom. Have a warm shower running with the bathroom door closed.

When do I need to take my child to the emergency room?

If your child continues to have stridor after 20 of mist treatment, your child may need to go to the emergency room. If your child is having significant difficulty breathing , their color is blueish, or they can't speak, call 911.

Home Care for a Croupy Cough Without Stridor

• Humidifier - Dry air usually makes coughs worse. Keep your child's bedroom humid. (Use a humidifier if the air is dry.)
• Warm fluids - for coughing spasms. Warm drinks (such as warm apple juice or warm lemonade) may relax the vocal cords and loosen up sticky mucus. You can give warm fluids to children over 4 months old.
• Cough medicines - Medicines are less helpful than mist or warm fluids, and generally are discouraged for children under 6 years old without consulting with a physician.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Breathing becomes difficult (when your child is not coughing).
• Your child starts drooling or having a lot of trouble swallowing.
• The warm mist fails to clear up the stridor in 20 minutes.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• A fever lasts more than 3 days.
• Croup lasts more than 10 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.