3 Things You Need to Know About Treating Croup
If your child has a harsh, barking cough that reminds you of a seal, they may have a case of croup. Croup is an infection of the upper airway that causes swelling around the vocal cords. When your child coughs, the sound of the air passing through this narrowed area produces the characteristic croup cough. Here's what you need to know about treating a case of croup.
1. Some Cases Require a Trip to the Pediatrician
The majority of croup cases will get better on their own, but there are a few instances when you should make an appointment with your pediatrician. Call your doctor if your child has the following symptoms:
- Exhibits signs of dehydration (no wet diapers or not using the restroom, no tears when crying, sunken skin)
- Acts overly lethargic
- Breathes faster than normal or cannot breathe easily
- Refuses to wake up
- Has noticeable chest or neck movements when breathing
- Makes a high-pitched sound when inhaling or exhaling
When in doubt, call your child's pediatrician. They can help you schedule an appointment or tell you when it is time to seek medical attention.
2. Breathing Treatments Can Alleviate Your Child's Discomfort
If your child is having issues breathing, your pediatrician may order breathing treatments. Your doctor can administer a treatment in-office, and they might prescribe additional treatments at home to keep your child comfortable as they recover.
During the treatment, your child will wear a mask that fits over their nose and mouth. This mask connects to a machine known as a nebulizer. The nebulizer transforms liquid medication (typically a steroid) into a mist. Your child will then breathe in the mist for a specified duration.
For the best results, you may need to complete these breathing treatments multiple times a day. If your child balks at wearing the mask, trying having another adult read them a story to keep them entertained, or put on a movie or TV show that they enjoy to distract them.
3. Croup Symptoms Tend to Worsen at Night
It's common for parents to notice a resurgence in their child's croup symptoms at nighttime. If your child experiences a coughing fit, try running a humidifier or sitting in a bathroom filled with steam. If possible, keep your child from crying uncontrollably, as crying can make it even more arduous for your child to breathe. Some children feel more comfortable in an upright position.
Should your child run a fever, you can administer an over-the-counter fever reducer to make them more comfortable.