Need tips on dealing with croup?

Question

My 3 year old today was diagnosed with croup in the ER and I had mentioned how my 6 month old was coughing as well, she had said with my 3 year old just put on vicks or a mistor or take him outside for a few min. Should I do the same with my 6 month old? Or take him in too? They didn't give my 3 year ol anything for meds but a steroid for his croup.

Answer 1

Croup is caused usually from a virus, so antibiotics will not help. Croup is swelling in the throat which is why they have that "barking" cough that sounds like a seal barking. Steroids are used to decrease the swelling as is the cool air or mist. Steam works well too if need be. Go into the bathroom and shut the door. Turn the shower on as hot as it will go and sit in the bathroom with the steam. If you hear a high pitched noise while they breathe, that is known as stridor, you need to go to the ER. That indicates that the swelling is moderate to severe and they may need IV steroids as well as breathing treatments.

Answer 2

In Ontario, paramedics are taught to try taking the child into cool air, for some croup patients this works. We'll also try the shower. If either doesn't work, we will start nebulized epinephrine and then transport to the ER.

Epiglottitis is a separate condition than croup and is much more serious, the epiglottis can slam shut and the patient will stop breathing. In epiglottitis the difference between it and croup is that epiglottitis there will be a lot of drooling.

Most likely because the one little one has croup, it's croup that your 6 mos has as croup is caused by a viral infection and is contagious. But I wouldn't take any chances and get them checked out anyways, not necessarily by ER by by family doctor if they are not showing signs of significant respiratory distress.

Here's a Website To Help You Out:
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/croup.html

Answer 3

Pink Hairme is exactly correct call your pediatrician, with the information about your 3 year old and they will probably phone in the appropriate steroid for your 6 month old. Steroids make a huge difference in croup, especially over a few days. If either of them start to run a fever I would take them back in or call the doctor as it may be bronchitis or similar.

I would use a humidifier or the steam shower. But I would not suggest taking him outside for a few minutes. That is something I have never heard of for croup and cold air can aggravate respiratory problems, so unless you live in a hot humid climate I can't see that outside would help.

Answer 4

If your 6 month old is making that same honking croupy sound. I would call your doctor and let him know that you took your 3 year old into the ER yesterday and she was given steroids for croup. He might prescribe it over the phone.
If your 3 month old is just coughing, I would follow the same instructions given in the ER. It is funny how a quick walk around the front yard sometimes help that croupy cough!
Good luck

Answer 5

Try heating up the shower and sitting in there with your kids breathing the humid air will help ease the croup. Childrens cough medicine will help as well.

Answer 6

build a tent over the crib raise the head of the crib by placing pillows under the matress and using a cool mist humifiry

Answer 7

turn the hot water on in the bathroom and fill it with the steam. this is the best home remedy

Answer 8

Make sure if they have breathing difficulties take them to the ER ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They can get epiglottitis and this can cut off their airway. (I had this) It can easily be diagnosed with an Xray... but you dont want your kids to stop breathing!!!