Croup

Shannon - posted on 11/30/2012

The best treatment for Croup is cool moist air, not steam. Croup is swelling/inflammation of tissue within the upper throat area. Steam will actually tend to increase the inflammation whereas cool moist air will reduce it in a matter of minutes.



All Pedi's will recomend cool moist air as their primary treatment for children suffering from Croup.



Go outside and breathe the cool air or open a freezer doe for a few minutes. Treat it like a sprained ankle... to reduce you use ice, not hot or steam. Inflammation is inflammation... cool moist air it the answer.

Melissa - posted on 11/11/2009

check with your doctor about getting a nebulizer at home. albuterol is the medicine he needs and it is best taken this way. the liquid can make them jittery (its awful!) we rushed my daughter to the er because we thought she couldn't breath. turns out it was croup. they also gave her steroids. they helped a lot. good luck!

Amy - posted on 11/11/2009

Nice if I could spell witch right, which? oops

Amy - posted on 11/11/2009

Thank you for all of you help and imput!! When I came home yesterday from work my mother in-law said that she thought he was finally showing signs of getting better. He smiled at my witch he hadn't done since Saturday so that made me feel better and he was eating. The cough seems to be lose now, not a bark and he was running around driving our dog crazy again for a little while last night. Thank God because that was really scary. We will continute to watch him but think we are getting there. Wonderful to have people to ask.

Thank you again! Amy :)

Elizabeth - posted on 11/10/2009

I'd just like to say that if your kid isn't getting better after a period of time that you think he should - take him back/to another doctor. Though it's a common childhood illness, it still needs to be monitored, which it sounds like you're doing. If it's so severe that it's not getting any better in 5 or so days it may need intervention.

Jodi - posted on 11/10/2009

My child has had his share of croupe.. In fact, we were at the ER last week... The first 2 or 3 nights are bad... But he usually starts feeling better on that 4th day... My child has asthma...so it may be different... But I do know, you should NEVER give your child cough medicine if he has it or you think thats what it is... and my sons teacher said her doctor told her to make her son drink something hot...and it would make him throw some of the phlem up... But Im not brave enough to try that.. Because with asthma... my son really struggles... also, the croupe can be very dangerous... so if you ever think your child is in distress you should get him to the ER immediately... some people dont tell the dangers of croupe...and im not sure of all the danger there is.. but i dont take any chances... I hope this helps a little....

Rene' - posted on 11/10/2009

Quoting Diane Amarillas:

My son used to get croup every year when he was small. I always kept a humidifire in his room at night while he slept and that seem to help LOTS. also Andrea below is right about the shower. Turn on the hot shower in just sit him on ur lap (on a chair or the toilet). Just have him breath in the steam. That seemed to a great bit of good. GOOD LUCK!!!

My oldest has had croup a few times and it usually got better in about 5 days.  You should definately use a humidifyer.  Just make sure it is a cool mist humidifyer.  My ped was very adimate about the cool mist and they do not need any medication in the humidifyer.

Ndidi - posted on 11/10/2009

My son had it....didn't catch it until it was worse...he had breathing problems and I thought that is what is was until he started the funny cough....(almost like a seal or somthing) I freaked, took him to ER and he had to stay overnight cause they couldn't get it under control...He didn't even get a fever until the night I took him to the ER. It's basically an upper respitory infection but in his throat, thats why you get that funny sound when they cough

Joanne - posted on 11/10/2009

Hi, I'm Joanne. I have to be honest when I read your note I had no idea what croup even was. I looked it up.



Croup is a common childhood ailment. Typically, it arises from a viral infection of the larynx (voice box) and is associated with mild upper respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and cough. The key symptom is a harsh barking cough. Croup is usually not serious, and most children recover within a few days. In a small percentage of cases, a child develops breathing difficulties and may need medical attention.



It seems that you should have nothing to worry about as long as it is taken care of immediately.



I hope this eases your mind.

Description

Amy - posted on 11/10/2009

Our son gets croup quite often... The night air and steamy bathroom work wonders. When he is really bad, the Dr. gives him a steroid that does wonders (but tastes horrid!). Usually we have 2 bad days with the croup, but the virus that causes it lasts longer than that (the 7 days). It is however really scary for the first couple of days, remember to hydrate him often and keep a close eye on the breathing. Good luck!

Kristin - posted on 11/10/2009

did the dr. give steroids? use a cool mist humidifier..ive went through a few of them because i use them all the time with my boys! one time my oldest just started with the cough all of a sudden..he had had it many times before so i made an appointment the next day and the next night he barley coughed and the fallowing it was gone..so you never know!

Marie - posted on 11/10/2009

my daughter gets it every year in and around oct. one thing that i do is steam up the bath room and sit in there with her for 20 minutes or till you think steam gone ...the cool air helps also try to keep room or area where he is sleeping cooler and let him sleep in light weight clothing...my sister always had it really bad cuz she has asthma, mom took her outside where it was really cold...fluids and plenty of fluids is what i was told ...hope any of this helps...will be prayin

Jessica - posted on 11/10/2009

Keep an eye on him and make sure he is getting enough fluids. When they are sick fluids is the most important thing. My son has had croup plenty of times. Just make sure you keep the air humid for him or take him outside when it gets worse. My son's doctor said humid air or cold air is good for croup.

Rebekka - posted on 11/10/2009

all i can say is keep an eye on him because thats what the doctor said to my sister about my nephew but it turned out to be Asthma

Miranda - posted on 11/10/2009

Hey, about 3 weeks ago my 21 month old son had what one doctor told me was croup but my second opinion said was acure tonsillitis. He had a high fever and had to be on antibiotics for 10 days. A humidifier helped at night with the cough and elivating the head of his bed. If you are worried go to another doctor. I'm glad i did. After all we are all human and sometimes makes mistakes, at least it may put your mind at ease a little:)

Cindy - posted on 11/10/2009

Croup happens in young kids because their airways are narrower then and adult. Any virus may cause croup. Croup is the bark or really deap couch. Steamy bathrooms will help the breathe better, cool night, a cool mist humidifier, and if it gets too bad you can get the med for a nebuliezer at home. I just got one for my daughter because she gets croup a few times a year. You can get the nebuliezer over the counter but will need a perscription for the med. Night time tends to be the worst part of it. If he's not really coughing it doesn't sound like it is croup. You will know for sure if it is croup by the cough. Good Luck!

MAYTE - posted on 11/10/2009

MY SON HAD CROUP WHEN HE WAS 4..THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS BECAUSE AT THE TIME OUR AC HAD BROKE DOWN SO WE BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE WINDOW AC AND HE STARTED FROM THERE...HE STARTED GETTING BETTER AROUND THE 4TH DAY BUT HAVAE TO KEEP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND MAKE SURE HIS FEVER DONT GET HIGH

Erin - posted on 11/10/2009

my son gets severe croup often, but always bounces back WAY sooner than 7 days. The cold or virus itself may last a week, but a 15 month old should at least be back to 80% of his normal self by the third day. And the cough should sound better- not go away- but it shouldn't be as high pitched or labored. If he's really lethargic, count his respiratory rate (how many breaths in a minute when he's just sitting calmly). If its higher than 40 call your doc ASAP.

Diane Amarillas - posted on 11/10/2009

My son used to get croup every year when he was small. I always kept a humidifire in his room at night while he slept and that seem to help LOTS. also Andrea below is right about the shower. Turn on the hot shower in just sit him on ur lap (on a chair or the toilet). Just have him breath in the steam. That seemed to a great bit of good. GOOD LUCK!!!

Andrea - posted on 11/10/2009

well, all of my kids have had a really bad cough and barking sound when they had croup. That was essentially the diagnosis form what I was explained to, without the barking cough it was just a virus.



But to answer your question, all my kids have peaked on the 3rd or 4th day and gotten steadily better after that. As long as he is getting plenty of fluids I wouldnt worry about him eating, but make sure he is getting plenty of fluids, if not call the Dr back and get him seen. If he is getting the barking cough, hot showers (just sitting in the same room) and being outside in the cool night air helps tons. Good Luck with your litle one.