Croup is a common viral infection in young children, usually between 6 months and 3 years old. It causes swelling in the voice box and windpipe, leading to a distinctive cough. It is often worse at night.
At midnight, your child wakes with a cough like a barking seal. Because you know it is croup, you stay calm, sit them upright and watch their breathing, and you know exactly when to call for help.
Symptoms
- A loud, barking cough
- A hoarse voice
- A harsh, high-pitched sound when breathing in (stridor)
- Cold-like symptoms and a fever beforehand
What to do at home
- Keep your child calm; crying makes breathing harder
- Sit them upright on your lap
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever or discomfort
- Offer fluids
- Check on them regularly through the night
Call your emergency number if your child is struggling to breathe, the skin between their ribs pulls in, they are very pale, blue or grey, very drowsy, drooling or unable to swallow, or the noisy breathing continues when they are calm.
Treatment
A health professional may give a single dose of a steroid, such as dexamethasone, which reduces swelling and helps most children within hours. Severe croup may need hospital treatment.
“But steam from a hot shower is the best treatment.”
Steam has not been shown to help, and hot water can cause scalds. Keeping your child calm, upright and comfortable helps most. A single dose of steroid medicine from a health professional works well for moderate croup.
Your next step: Save your local emergency number and the out-of-hours advice line in your phone tonight.
Related: Child’s cough: when to worry
Sources: NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary, Croup; NHS croup guidance.
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