What should you know about pals croup treatment?

Croup is usually a viral illness that causes swelling around the voice box and upper airway. A child may develop a barking cough, hoarse voice and a harsh, high-pitched sound when breathing in. Fever and cold symptoms can occur too. Symptoms are often worse at night. The sound and breathing effort matter more than the loudness of the cough when judging urgency.

Keep your child upright, calm and close to a familiar adult; crying can increase airway effort. Offer small, frequent drinks if swallowing is comfortable. Keep watching their breathing, colour and alertness. A clinician may prescribe a steroid to reduce airway swelling. Nebuliser treatment may be used in a clinical setting for more severe symptoms. Avoid steam, which can burn, and do not use cough medicines unless a clinician specifically advises them.

Call emergency services if your child struggles to breathe, has noisy breathing while resting, pulls in the skin between the ribs or at the neck, cannot speak or drink normally, becomes unusually sleepy, or develops blue or grey lips. Do not force food or drink during severe breathing difficulty. A child who improves after treatment still needs the follow-up advised by the treating team.

Ask whether the illness is mild or needs observation, when prescribed medicine should be given, which breathing sounds require emergency help, and how to monitor your child overnight. Ask when a child health consultation is needed if symptoms return.