How do you treat croup at home?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Stay calm. Comfort or distract your child — cuddle, read a book or play a quiet game.
2. Provide humidified or cool air.
3. Hold your child in a comfortable upright position.
4. Offer fluids.
5. Encourage rest.
6. Try a fever reducer.
7. Skip the cold medicines.

When should I be worried about croup?

Severe croup can cause breathing difficulties in general but if your child’s skin “caves in” around their neck or ribs when they try to inhale, you should seek urgent medical treatment. Serious infections can also cause stridor , which is noisy breathing, often high-pitched, caused by the narrowing of the airway.

How long does croup cough last in child?

How long does Croup last? – Croup often runs its course within 3 to 4 days. Your child’s cough may improve during the day, but don’t be surprised if it returns at night. You may want to sleep near your child or even in the same room so that you can take quick action if your child’s symptoms become severe.

What is the best thing to do for croup?

Use a cool-mist humidifier or run a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where you can sit with your child for 10 minutes. Breathing in the mist will sometimes stop the severe coughing. In cooler weather, taking your child outside for a few minutes to breathe in the cool air may ease symptoms.

Does drinking water help croup?

It’s important to keep your baby hydrated if they have croup. Warm, clear fluids can help loosen mucus and take pressure off their vocal cords.

What to do if your child has croup?

Stay calm and try to keep your child calm. Crying and tension can trigger coughing.

Offer fluids to keep him hydrated.

Have him breathe in cool night air (dress appropriately) or humidified air.

Avoid exposing your child to tobacco smoke or other irritants.

What age is it most common to get croup cough?

Most at risk of getting croup are children between 6 months and 3 years of age. Because children have small airways, they are most susceptible to having more symptoms with croup. Most cases of croup are mild.

How can I protect my children from croup?

Keep your child calm,as breathing is often more difficult when upset – the more a child is distressed,the worse their symptoms can become.

If your child has a fever and is irritable,you may give them paracetamol or ibuprofen. See our fact sheet Pain relief for children.

Croup often becomes worse at night.

How to help your child with croup?

Using a humidifier in the child’s room to help moisten the air in the room

Sitting in the bathroom with the child while hot water is running in the shower for about 15 minutes with the door closed to create a humid environment.

Taking the child out into the cold night air for about 10 – 20 minutes after bundling up