goodtoknow says: Croup only tends to happen to children under 6 and is more common in the under 3s. The main symptoms, which are often worse at night, are a distinctive, barking cough and noisy breathing. Your child will also feel pretty unwell with general aches and pains. Croup can sometimes follow a cold but can also come out of the blue. It's caused by a virus in the voice box which makes the vocal chords and the breathing tubes swell up. Most children recover within a week although a mild cough may last longer.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of croup from patient.co.uk, read on.
Croup is often mild, and most children soon recover. In some cases severe breathing difficulties develop. About 1 in 10 children with croup are admitted to hospital, usually for a short time until symptoms ease. A steroid medicine is often prescribed to ease symptoms.
Croup is an infection of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe). These are the upper and lower parts of the breathing tube that connects the mouth to the top of the lungs. The usual cause of croup is a viral infection. Several different viruses can cause croup.
Croup occurs most commonly between the ages of one and three years, but any child under six can develop it. As children become older, their breathing tube becomes firmer and wider. An infection by a similar virus in an older child or adult may cause a cough or sore throat, but is unlikely to cause the breathing symptoms of croup (described below). Croup often occurs in epidemics in the winter. Boys are more commonly affected than girls. Some children have two or more bouts of croup in their childhood.
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The symptoms are often worse at night. Typically, during the day a child may have a croupy cough with cold symptoms, but not be too unwell. However, at night the cough and breathing symptoms often become worse. Symptoms usually peak after 1-3 days, and then improve. A mild but irritating cough may last a further week or so.
Symptoms are often fairly mild, but sometimes become severe. Croup is common. Many children just get a croupy cough with some cold symptoms. Any breathing difficulty is often mild. Parents can expect to have one or two disturbed nights nursing a coughing child. Most children with croup remain at home and soon recover.
The main concern is if severe narrowing of the breathing tube develops. If this occurs then breathing can become difficult. About 1 in 10 children with croup are admitted to hospital for observation. This is usually if symptoms suggest a narrowing of the breathing tube. Most children admitted to hospital come home within 24 hours as symptoms usually improve quickly. In a small number of cases, a 'ventilator' is needed to help the child to breathe. This is usually just for a short period whilst the infection and inflammation settle down.
- How can I help a child with croup?
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A doctor will normally advise on what to do, or whether hospital admission is needed. The sort of advice your doctor may give is as follows.
Steam used to be commonly advised as a treatment. It was thought that steam may 'loosen' the mucus and make it easier to breathe. However, there is little evidence that this does any good. Also, some children have been scalded by steam whilst being treated for croup. Therefore, steam is not recommended.
Always consult a doctor if you have any concerns about your child. In particular, see a doctor quickly if:
- Coughs and colds in young children
- Coping with your toddler's coughs and colds
- More on your toddler's health and wellbeing