Symptoms Of Croup To Watch Out For

Breathing Issues

Once a child's breathing progresses beyond slight stuffiness or a runny nose, it is time to mention the issue to their doctor. Mild cases of croup may not exhibit any noticeable breathing issues, but if it progresses, airways will become more and more blocked. A child's breathing might start to seem high pitched and noisy because airways are smaller. If croup progresses even more, their breathing might get fast, and they might sound like they are struggling to breathe in. You may notice the skin around the ribs and top of the sternum sucks in. This is a sign your child is inhaling as hard as they can but cannot get enough oxygen. Their neck muscles may also pull in as they labor to breathe. If their breathing is labored enough, you may need to seek emergency medical treatment.

How To Treat Croup

Unfortunately, since croup is a viral infection and not a bacteria, the only real option is to allow the virus to run its course. In the case of croup, the best thing a parent can do for their child is to treat the symptoms until they subside and keep them comfortable. Tretaments for a fever include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or a cold compress. Use a bulb syringe or a saline nasal flush to clear blocked nasal pasages. Most importantly, keep the child calm. Since croup causes labored breathing, it's easy for a child to panic, which makes the symptoms worse. A cool-mist humidifier can help to ease some symptoms, as can cool fresh air. Follow these tips and the croup should clear up in seven to ten days.