CROUP
Croup is a viral infection of the airway below the vocal cords. It
is usually part of a cold. The symptoms of croup can include a barking
seal cough, a hoarse voice, and a harsh raspy sound when the child
breathes in (called stridor.) Croup usually lasts 3 or 4 days and
generally gets worse at night. The worst symptoms of croup are usually
seen in children younger than 3 years old.
Because
croup is a viral illness, it cannot be treated with antibiotics.
However, many children with croup get better much more quickly with the
use of an oral steroid medication called Orapred. If your child has a
difficult first or second night with croup symptoms, it might be worth
having him or her seen in the office the next day to consider whether
this medicine might be helpful.
You can help to make your child more comfortable by doing any or all of the following treatments at home:
- Keep your child's room humidified by running a cool mist humidifier in his or her room.
- If your child has a sudden worsening of his cough or stridor, steam
up the bathroom by running hot water in the shower with the bathroom
door closed. Then let your child play or rest in the steamy bathroom
for about 10 or 15 minutes.
- If your child is still uncomfortable after breathing the bathroom
steam, allow him or her to breathe fresh air by going outside or
standing at an open door or window.
Cough medicines are usually not as helpful with a croupy cough
as the above suggestions. If your child has a fever, you may give him
or her acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin.)
Call our office immediately if your child has an
attack that lasts for 20 minutes despite trying the above suggestions,
your child's lips turn blue or dusky, your child develops retractions
(tugging in between the ribs when breathing,) or your child develops
drooling, spitting, or great difficulty with swallowing.
For less urgent questions about croup, you can reach your physician during call hour from 8:30 - 9:00 A.M.
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