Which specialist treats croup?

Croup is an upper-airway illness that can cause a barking cough, a hoarse voice and noisy breathing. A clinician listens to the child's breathing, checks how hard they are working to breathe, and looks at alertness, hydration and fever. Many cases can be managed with observation and supportive care, but breathing symptoms can change quickly, especially in young children.

A paediatrician may be needed when symptoms are moderate, recurrent, atypical or not settling. Hospital clinicians may use nebuliser treatment when airway swelling causes significant breathing difficulty. A common cold can precede croup, but a cough does not by itself establish the cause.

Arrange a child health consultation or GP assessment if the barking cough is new, the voice is hoarse, or noisy breathing occurs. Keep the child calm and upright while arranging care; crying can make breathing harder. Offer suitable fluids and follow the clinician's instructions. Do not give medicines intended for another child without checking first.

Get emergency help immediately if the child has noisy breathing while resting, pulls in at the ribs or neck, struggles to speak or cry, becomes unusually sleepy, has blue or grey lips, drools and cannot swallow, or seems to be getting worse. Do not wait for a routine specialist appointment when breathing is difficult.

Ask whether the breathing noise is present at rest, what warning signs to watch for, how to position and comfort the child, and whether follow-up with a paediatrician is needed. Ask before using cough medicines or steam treatments.