Natural remedies for croup: what parents should know

Croup is an upper-airway illness that can cause a barking cough, a hoarse voice and noisy breathing. It often becomes more noticeable at night. Keeping a child calm can reduce the extra breathing effort that comes with crying. Croup may occur alongside a common cold, and cough or fever can also be present.

Hold your child upright and offer frequent sips of fluid. Speak quietly and avoid forcing food. A comfortable room and gentle reassurance may help; avoid steam, smoke, essential oils and unlabelled herbal products because they can burn, irritate or trigger an allergic reaction. Do not give cough medicines unless a clinician specifically recommends one for your child. A child-health consultation can clarify suitable care, especially for a young child or a first episode.

Seek urgent help if noisy breathing occurs while your child is resting, the skin between the ribs pulls in, the lips look blue or grey, or the child is unusually sleepy, drooling or unable to drink. Contact a clinician promptly if fever persists, the cough is worsening, or your child has an underlying airway or lung condition. Nebuliser treatment may be considered by a clinician when symptoms require it.

Ask what signs show that home care is no longer enough, whether your child needs an examination, and which fluid or fever-care plan suits their age and medicines.