What is the first treatment for croup?

Croup causes swelling around the upper airway, often leading to a barking cough, hoarse voice, and a harsh sound when breathing in. Crying and distress can increase the noise and effort of breathing, so a calm adult, upright position, and gentle reassurance are useful while arranging advice.

A clinician may prescribe a steroid to reduce airway swelling. If breathing is significantly noisy or laboured, nebuliser treatment may be used in an urgent setting. The child’s breathing effort, colour, alertness, and ability to drink guide the level of care.

Keep your child upright and comfort them with a quiet voice. Offer small drinks if they can swallow comfortably, and watch their breathing rather than forcing food. Arrange a child health consultation for advice about symptoms, medicines, and observation.

Use prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Do not use steam, cough medicines, or someone else’s inhaler unless a clinician has specifically advised it. Stay nearby while symptoms are active, as croup can change over a short time.

Call emergency services for struggling or very fast breathing, ribs or neck pulling in with each breath, blue or grey lips, unusual sleepiness, drooling with difficulty swallowing, pauses in breathing, or inability to speak or cry normally. Seek urgent assessment if noisy breathing occurs while the child is resting or symptoms are worsening.

Ask whether a steroid is needed, how to recognise breathing effort, when nebuliser treatment is considered, how long to observe your child, and which symptoms require emergency help.