Hacking cough could be a symptom of croup

If you have a young child who has a harsh, barking cough, they could be suffering from croup--a common respiratory problem in young children, especially under the age of 3 years old, which tends to occur in the fall and winter.

Croup causes swelling and narrowing in the voice box, windpipe, and breathing tubes that lead to the lungs. This can make it hard for your child to breathe.

"An attack of croup can be scary, but it is rarely serious. Children usually improve in several days with rest and care at home," says Sarah Dodge, physician assistant at the Gundersen Lutheran – Decorah Clinic. "As children grow older and their lungs and windpipes mature, they are less likely to get croup. Receiving a flu shot each year may help your child fight off some of the viruses that can lead to croup."

Croup most commonly occurs a few days after the start of a cold and is usually caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold. The viruses can be passed from one person to another through coughing and sneezing and through close contact. Regular hand-washing and limiting contact with others can help prevent spreading croup to others.

Symptoms often improve during the day and worsen at night. Sometimes children have croup attacks that wake them up in the middle of the night for a couple of nights in a row, but the illness usually improves gradually in two to five days.

Even though your child's coughing and troubled breathing can be frightening, home treatment usually eases the symptoms. "Try to stay calm during an attack, and soothe your child. Crying can make the swelling in the windpipe worse and make it even harder for your child to breathe," suggests Sarah. "Breathing in moist air seems to help during a croup attack. Fill your bathroom with steam from the hot water faucets, and sit in the room with your child for ten minutes. Or hold your child directly over a cool mist humidifier, and let the vapor blow directly in your child's face."

Dodge comments that breathing cool night air may also help ease symptoms. Dress your child in warm clothes, and go outside for ten minutes. If symptoms improve with these methods, put your child back in bed with the cool mist humidifier blowing nearby. If the symptoms happen during the middle of the night, it is a good idea to sleep in or near your child's room until morning.

It is important to keep your child well hydrated. Offer water or flavored ice treats such as Popsicles.

If your child's symptoms don't improve after 20 minutes, call or see your healthcare provider. You may hear a harsh, raspy, vibrating sound when your child breathes in. This is called stridor. Stridor is usually present only with crying or coughing. If stridor occurs, but improves within 20 minutes, your child should be evaluated within 24 hours. If stridor persists or if drooling or difficulty swallowing occurs at any time, your child should be evaluated immediately.

If your child has severe croup or has not responded to home treatment, medicines may be used to decrease airway swelling. These are usually given in a medical clinic or an emergency room. In rare cases, a child needs to stay in the hospital for treatment.

If you have any questions regarding croup call your primary care provider or the Gundersen Lutheran 24-hour Nurse Advisor at (800) 858-1050.