Breathing in moist air can effectively help you or your child unclog the upper respiratory as well as cure your breathing problems. If you need the immediate treatment, you can inhale the hot water from your sink in your bathroom so that your nose can be unblocked and you might breathe more easily.
One of the best things to do when you're at home is get the shower all steamed up and get your child in the bathroom, because warm, moist air seems to work best to relax the vocal cords and break the stridor. A humidifier, not a hot vaporizer, but a cool mist humidifier also will help with getting the swelling down.
Humidifier: If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Reason: dry air makes croup worse.
Croup can occur any time of day, but it is usually worse at night because the body's natural steroid levels fall at night, making the swelling of the voice box worse.
Croup often begins without warning, in the middle of the night. The symptoms are often worse at night, and are at their worst on the second or third night of the illness. The signs and symptoms of croup may last for three to four days; however, a cough may linger for up to three weeks.
The viruses that cause croup are contagious, but the barking cough and stridor symptoms aren't necessarily catching. "Kids with croup are considered contagious for three days after the illness or until the fever is gone," Kirkham said.
Treating croup
Sitting your child upright and comforting them if they are distressed is important, because crying may make symptoms worse. Your child should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Antibiotics do not play a role in treating croup because croup is caused by viruses and antibiotics do not treat viruses. Cough medicines and decongestants have not been proven to be helpful, and sedatives can mask symptoms of low blood oxygen and difficulty breathing.
For children 1 year and older, you can give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey as needed as a homemade cough remedy. For ages 6 and older, you can use cough drops or hard candy to coat the irritated throat.
The milk and dairy become more acidic as they sit in the stomach and curdle, and the high sugar content breaks down into acid. This will make anyone “upchuck” a little into the throat, which I believe triggers the laryngospasm. (PS, strawberry milk is also bad.)
Croup often occurs in children, typically between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. There is no outright cure for croup. While the infection tends to resolve on its own within a few days, symptoms — including a cough — may linger for a few weeks.
What does it sound like? Most people describe a croup cough as sounding like a barking seal. But for those of us who have never heard a barking seal, the above description isn't necessarily helpful. A croup cough has also been described as the yelping of a fox or the barking of a dog.
Although most cases of croup are mild, this common childhood illness can become serious and prevent your child from breathing normally. Contact your child's pediatrician if your child's croup is not improving or if you have other concerns. The doctor will make sure your child is evaluated and treated properly.
Adults with croup typically experience telltale cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, sore throat, and fever. They may also develop the signature harsh, "barking" cough that can be accompanied by wheezing or difficulty breathing. The cough may worsen at night and can last up to a week or longer.
Croup is usually caused by a viral infection, most often a parainfluenza virus. Your child may get a virus by breathing infected respiratory droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. Virus particles in these droplets may also survive on toys and other surfaces.
Croup or laryngotracheitis is common in children and rare in adults. Parainfluenza-1 is the most commonly identified organism in both children and adults.
Severe croup can lead to other complications, such as ear infections, respiratory distress or pneumonia.
Kids with croup also should get lots of rest. Some kids need a breathing treatment that can be given in the hospital or a steroid medicine to reduce swelling in the airway.
If your child's breathing does not get better with steam, take him or her outside. Cold, moist air can decrease the swelling and help the coughing and stridor. Be sure to dress your child warmly before going outside.