Croup

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Croup is an illness that causes swelling of the airway just below the vocal cords. It is common in infants and children from three months to three years old. Children usually outgrow croup by the age of five, but older children may get croup. It usually starts with a cold and sore throat. Your child may have a harsh, barking cough and have trouble breathing. He may have problems swallowing or not be able to sleep.
  
  
• Your child may suddenly have trouble breathing. This is called a croup attack. Croup attacks can happen anytime but usually occur during the cold weather season of late fall and winter. Attacks often happen at night and may last several days. Most children with croup can be treated at home. Some children with bad breathing problems may need to go into the hospital.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Always give your child the medicine as directed by caregivers. If you feel it is not helping or if you feel your child is having side effects, call your child's caregiver. Do not quit giving the medicine to your child until you discuss it with caregivers.
  
  
• If your child is taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), give them as ordered until they are all gone, even if he feels better.
  
  
• Keep a written list of what medicines your child is taking and when he takes them. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you see caregivers. Learn why your child takes each medicine. Ask caregivers for information about your child's medicines.
  
  
• Acetaminophen (uh-cee-tuh-MIN-oh-fin) can be used for fever and is given every four to six hours. Read the instructions on the box to give your child the correct amount of medicine. Call your caregiver if you have questions about how much medicine to give. Ask you caregiver before giving your child ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fin).
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 18. This could cause Reye's syndrome, which is a serious illness.

Follow up appointment information:

Keep all appointments. Write down questions you have about croup. This way you'll remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

What to do if your child has an attack of croup:

• Your child's breathing may be helped by sitting with him in a steamy bathroom. Turn on the hot water in the sink, shower, or bathtub and close the windows and bathroom door. When the room is steamed up, bring your child into the room and sit with him on your lap for at least 15 minutes. Do not leave your child alone, or put him in or under the hot water.
  
  
• If it is cool outside, take your clothed child outside in the cool air for 5 minutes.
  
  
• Call your caregiver if the bathroom steam or the outside air does not help your child's breathing in 10 to 15 minutes.
  
  
• Keep your child warm.
  
  
• Both you and your child should try to stay calm. If your child is afraid and crying, his breathing and coughing will get worse. Your child should rest as much as possible. Sleeping in the same room with your child when he has croup may calm him.

What can I do to help my child feel better when he has croup?

• Offer your child water, apple juice, lemonade, tea, ginger ale, and popsicles. Offer your child small amounts of liquids, such as one ounce every hour. The liquids should be at room temperature, versus very warm or very cold.
  
  
• Try to keep your child away from people who have a cold. This may help stop your child from getting croup, and keep him from spreading the illness to others. Always wash your hands often with soap and water to keep from spreading an infection.
  
  
• If your child gets a cold, use a cool mist humidifier to increase moisture in your child's room. This will make it easier for him to breathe. Fill it with cool water and put it out of reach by your child's bed. Direct the mist stream towards your child's face.
  
  
• Hang wrung-out wet sheets or towels in the room to add moisture to the air.
  
  
• Do not let anyone smoke around your child. The smoke can make your child's breathing and coughing worse.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child has one or more of the following signs and symptoms of dehydration (dee-heye-DRAY-shun):
  
  
  • Crying without tears.
    
    
  • Dizziness.
    
    
  • Dry mouth or cracked lips.
    
    
  • More sleepy than usual.
    
    
  • Sunken soft spot on the top of the head if your child is less than one year old.
    
    
  • Urinating less.
    
    
  • Wrinkled skin.
  
  
• Your child is not getting better after sitting with him in a steamy bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes.
  
  
• Your child cannot rest because of a cough that does not stop.
  
  
• Your child's cough does not go away or worsens.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your child's medicine or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Call 911 or O (operator) for help if your child has any of the following signs and symptoms.
  
  
  • Your child stops answering you or passes out.
    
    
  • Your child has trouble swallowing his own saliva (spit). You may notice unusual drooling from your child's mouth.
    
    
  • Your child has to work very hard to breathe, or looks like he is not getting enough air. Look for the following symptoms:
    
    
    • Your child has new or worsening stridor, wheezing, or coughing, even after medicines and treatment.
      
      
    • Your child is unable to talk or cry normally.
      
      
    • Your child's lips or fingernails turn blue, gray, or white.
      
      
    • Your child has new or worsening retractions (pulling in of the skin between the ribs or around the neck with each breath).
  
  

Learn more about Croup (Discharge Care)