*The Well is proud to present the following content in partnership with Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care centers. This piece originally appeared on GoHealth’s Health Library and has been republished on The Well with permission.
The list reads like every parent’s least favorite recipe for cold weather “fun”: the flu, RSV, COVID, and more. But if there’s one sound that can strike fear into the hearts of parents near and far it’s that of a croup cough. That’s because—especially for parents of younger children—the oft-described “barking cough” of croup can develop as a result of a number of viruses, most frequent being the flu, and indicates that your child may be in distress any time they take a breath in.
But as scary as it may sound in the moment, how serious is croup, and is there any way to ease croup symptoms at home? Here, we share what every parent needs to know about this common childhood illness, including when to seek medical help.
What is croup?
Croup is a viral infection that causes swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea), making the airway below narrower and causing breathing to be noisy and difficult. Children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years old are most likely to get croup. It’s not as common after age 3, because the windpipe is larger, so it’s less likely to get affected by swelling. Croup can occur any time of the year, but it is more common during the winter months.
When a cough forces air through this narrowed passage, the swollen vocal cords produce a noise similar to a seal barking. Likewise, taking a breath often produces a high-pitched whistling sound (stridor).
What do croup symptoms look like in a child?
Croup often begins as a typical cold. If there is enough inflammation and coughing, a child will develop a loud barking cough. This often is worse at night and is further aggravated by crying and coughing, as well as anxiety and agitation, setting up a cycle of worsening symptoms. Fever and a hoarse voice are common, too.
Symptoms of croup usually last for three to five days. The majority of cases of croup can be treated at home.
How can you ease a croup cough?
Croup can be scary, especially if it lands your child in the doctor's office, urgent care, or emergency room. In the meantime, you can help keep your child comfortable with a few simple measures:
- Stay calm. Comfort or distract your child—cuddle, read a book, or play a quiet game. Crying makes breathing more difficult.
- Moisten the air. Although there's no evidence of benefit from this practice, many parents believe that humid air helps a child's breathing. You can use a humidifier or sit with the child in a bathroom filled with steam generated by running hot water from the shower.
- Hold your child in a comfortable upright position. Hold your child on your lap, or place your child in a favorite chair or infant seat. Sitting upright may make breathing easier.
- Offer fluids. For babies, water, breast milk, or formula is fine. For older children, soup or frozen fruit pops may be soothing.
- Encourage rest. Sleep can help your child fight the infection.
- Try a fever reducer. If your child has a fever, over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may help.
- Skip the cold medicines. Over-the-counter cold preparations aren't recommended for children younger than age 2. Plus, nonprescription cough medicines won't help croup.
If your child's symptoms are severe or last beyond three to five days and worsen, your doctor may recommend and prescribe a type of steroid to reduce inflammation in the airway. Benefits will usually be felt within six hours, so you can start the path to wellness sooner than you think!
Next Steps and Useful Resources
