In most cases of croup, your child won’t need to see a doctor. However, if your child’s symptoms are severe or aren’t responding to home treatment, you should call your doctor.
When should I take my child to the doctor for croup?
Call the doctor if your child:
- Gets worse.
- Has stridor constantly when resting.
- Is less than 1 year old with stridor or a croupy cough.
- Seems to not be able to catch his breath.
- Cannot speak because breathing is so difficult.
- Drools and cannot swallow his saliva.
- Has trouble swallowing liquids and refuses to drink.
What should I do if my baby has croup?
How Is Croup Treated?
- Use a cool-mist humidifier or run a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where you can sit with your child for 10 minutes. …
- In cooler weather, taking your child outside for a few minutes to breathe in the cool air may ease symptoms.
Should I let my child sleep with croup?
A child may be propped up in bed with an extra pillow. Pillows should not be used with infants younger than 12 months of age. Parents may sleep in the same room with their child during an episode of croup so that they will be immediately available if the child begins to have difficulty breathing.
How serious is croup in a baby?
The most common complications of croup are ear infections and pneumonia. The most serious complication is complete blockage of breathing. This is rare, but you will need to get help right away if you are worried about your child’s breathing. This could be life-threatening.
How do you get rid of croup fast?
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Stay calm. Comfort or distract your child — cuddle, read a book or play a quiet game. …
- Provide humidified or cool air. …
- Hold your child in a comfortable upright position. …
- Offer fluids. …
- Encourage rest. …
- Try a fever reducer. …
- Skip the cold medicines.
What triggers croup?
A virus is the most common cause of croup. But the illness may also be caused by bacteria, allergies, or reflux from the stomach. Viruses that are known to cause croup are: Parainfluenza virus.
What are RSV symptoms in babies?
What are the symptoms of RSV in a child?
- Runny nose.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Short periods without breathing (apnea)
- Trouble eating, drinking, or swallowing.
- Wheezing.
- Flaring of the nostrils or straining of the chest or stomach while breathing.
- Breathing faster than usual, or trouble breathing.
How long does the croup last in babies?
Most often, croup lasts 5 to 6 days and becomes worse at night. The croupy cough can last up to 2 weeks.
When is croup the worst?
Croup often begins without warning, in the middle of the night. The symptoms are often worse at night, and are at their worst on the second or third night of the illness. The signs and symptoms of croup may last for three to four days; however, a cough may linger for up to three weeks.
What helps a croup cough at night?
Cool air can also help. Options include a cool mist humidifier or breathing in cool air. This can include cool air outdoors (bundle your child up first) or even breathing in front of an open freezer door.
Why does the croup get worse at night?
Croup can occur any time of day, but it is usually worse at night because the body’s natural steroid levels fall at night, making the swelling of the voice box worse. What is the home treatment for croup? We treat croup by treating the inflammation of the voice box.