Croup: A Parent’s Guide
If you’ve ever been startled awake in the middle of the night by the sound of your child’s barking cough, chances are, you’ve encountered croup. It’s a common childhood illness that can be pretty scary, especially for first-time parents. But fear not! CMC Pediatrics is providing all you need to know about croup – what it is, how to treat it at home, when to call the pediatrician, and what to do if it keeps coming back.
What is Croup?
Croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, particularly the larynx and trachea. It’s most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, but it can occur in older children as well. Croup is characterized by a distinctive barking cough, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing, often accompanied by a low-grade fever.
Types of Croup
There are several types of croup, each with its own unique characteristics:
Viral Croup:
This is the most common type of croup and is caused by a viral infection of the voice box and windpipe (usually parainfluenza virus.)
Symptoms can include:
- Often starts out like a cold
- Fever
- Hoarseness
- Noisy breathing
- Barky cough
- Stridor (coarse musical sound with each breath)
Spasmodic Croup:
This type of croup can be scary because it tends to occur suddenly and often at night. The symptoms can come and go and are thought to be caused by an allergy or by reflux from the stomach.
Symptoms can include:
- Gasping for breath
- Hoarseness
- Barky cough
- Stridor (coarse musical sound with each breath)
Home Remedies for Croup
When it comes to treating croup at home, the goal is to ease your child’s symptoms and help them breathe more easily. Here are a few things you can try:
Steamy bathroom
Take your child into a steamy bathroom for a few minutes. The warm, moist air can help to loosen congestion and ease their cough.
Cool air
If it’s a cool night, taking your child outside for a few minutes can sometimes help, as the cool air can reduce swelling in the airways.
Hydration
Make sure your child stays well-hydrated by offering plenty of fluids, like water or clear broth.
Elevation
Try propping up your child’s head with an extra pillow while they sleep to help ease their breathing.
Dangers of Strider with Croup
Croup is known for the distinctive cough that comes with it, but CMC Pediatrics stresses that you should be vigilant of the signs of this escalating to a more concerning problem like strider.
Strider is a high-pitched sound that occurs when a child inhales and indicates an obstruction in the upper airway. It’s often likened to the sound of a seal barking. It typically becomes more pronounced when the child is agitated, crying, or exerting themselves physically. If you notice your child making a high-pitched noise when breathing in, especially alongside other croup symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly.
If your child has stridor while resting, it can be a sign of more severe croup. As your child’s effort to breathe increases, they may stop eating and drinking. They may become too tired to cough, and you may hear the stridor more with each breath. In the most severe cases, your child will not be getting enough oxygen into their blood due to the swelling in their airway which is dangerous.
When to Call a Pediatrician
Often croup can be managed at home, but CMC Pediatrics stresses that there are times when it’s essential to seek medical help immediately:
- Difficulty Breathing: If your child is struggling to breathe, with retractions (sucking in of the chest or neck muscles), or if their lips or nails turn blue, seek immediate medical attention. Notice if they cannot speak or make verbal sounds for lack of breath.
- Has Stridor when resting
- High Fever: A fever over 102°F (38.9°C) that doesn’t respond to medication warrants a call to your pediatrician.
- Dehydration: Signs of dehydration, such as decreased urination, dry mouth, or sunken eyes, require medical evaluation.
- Persistent Symptoms: If your child’s symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a few days, it’s time to call the pediatrician.
Recurrent or Persistent Croup
While most children will experience croup as a one-time occurrence, some may have recurrent episodes or persistent symptoms. In such cases, further evaluation by a pediatrician or ENT specialist may be necessary. Possible underlying causes include anatomical abnormalities, allergies, or reflux.
Croup can be a scary experience for both children and parents, but with the right knowledge and care, you can help your little one feel better in no time. Remember, if you’re ever unsure or concerned about your child’s symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician for guidance. Stay well, and here’s to speedy recoveries!
CMC Pediatrics is Here for Your Family
As a parent, seeing your child unwell can be challenging, but remember that colds, allergies, and other ailments are a common part of childhood. If you have any doubts or concerns about what your child is experiencing, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s pediatrician for guidance.
If you don’t have a pediatrician, you are welcome to visit one of our pediatric specialists at CMC Pediatrics. With multiple locations throughout Myrtle Beach, Socastee, and Conway for your convenience, our CMC Pediatrics staff is focused on providing the highest level of compassionate care for your child.
