How To Prevent And Treat Croup

Keeping The Child Calm

Croup can be quite scary for both parent and child, especially if a trip to the emergency room occurs. However, it is vital for parents to keep their child calm when dealing with croup, because crying and other forms of agitation make breathing worse. Great ideas to help keep children calm when dealing with croup include cuddling them, reading a book to them (or with them), and singing lullabies. Parents can also try offering their kids a favorite toy or blanket. Playing some quite games or watching cartoons or movies on television can also help keep a child with croup calm and distracted.

Try Epinephrine

While the majority of croup cases can resolve without medical intervention, some are serious enough to lead to trouble breathing. If the trachea becomes swollen enough that breathing is difficult, some medical professionals may recommend patients try epinephrine. Epinephrine is a medication that increases a patient's adrenaline levels. When these levels increase, the patient's airways open up and their heart rate becomes elevated. Children with severe allergies may inject epinephrine if they go into anaphylactic shock. With croup, injected epinephrine generally isn't necessary. Instead, children can inhale the medication as a mist. This temporarily shrinks the swollen part of the trachea. Parents should talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of using epinephrine to help their child breathe while their croup is resolving.