As soon as you hear the barking cough of croup in your little one, it’s natural to feel concern. Luckily, croup is rarely serious or long-lasting and can often be treated at home.

Croup can disrupt breathing and cause a cough that sounds like barking. The cough and other symptoms are caused by an infection in a child’s upper airway. Swelling can occur around the voice box, windpipe and bronchial tubes. When air travels through this swollen passageway, it produces a noise similar to a barking seal. You might also hear a high-pitched whistling sound when your child breathes in.

Symptoms

Croup typically begins as a cold, but with enough inflammation and coughing, can worsen. Symptoms include:

• Barking cough made worse by crying, coughing, anxiety and agitation.
• Hoarse voice.
• Noisy or labored breathing.

Treating Croup at Home

Despite how alarming croup may appear, most cases can be treated at home. It’s important to try to keep your child as calm as possible, because crying can make symptoms worse.

If your child has a fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for kids six months and older) can make them more comfortable. Contact your doctor if you’re unsure about the correct dose.

Breathing in moist air can ease croup symptoms and help kids feel better. There are several ways you can do this, such as:

• Use a cool-mist humidifier or run a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where your child can sit for 10 minutes. The mist can sometimes ease a severe cough.
• In cooler weather, take your child outside to breathe in the air. Cooler air can ease their symptoms.

It’s important to keep sick kids hydrated. If your child doesn’t want to drink, try using a dropper or spoon to give liquids.

Sometimes children need treatment from care specialists. This may involve steroid medicine to reduce swelling or even a stay in the hospital until they’re better.

When to Call a Doctor

If your kid’s symptoms seem severe, worsen, last longer than three days or aren’t responding to treatment, contact their doctor.

Go to the emergency room if your child:

• Begins drooling or has difficulty swallowing.
• Breathes faster than normal.
• Decreased urine output.
• Makes high-pitched breathing sounds when not crying or agitated.
• Makes noisy, high-pitched sounds both when inhaling and exhaling.
• Seems anxious, agitated, fatigued and listless.
• Skin appears blue or gray around the nose, mouth or fingernails.
• Struggles to breathe.