Croup Response

Viral upper airway obstruction with barking cough

Step by Step

Croup causes a barking, seal like cough, a hoarse voice, and a harsh sound when breathing in, called stridor, often worse at night. Keep the child calm and sitting upright, for example on your lap, since crying can make breathing harder. Steam is not recommended because of the risk of scalds. Seek medical advice: doctors can prescribe medicine that reduces airway swelling. Call emergency services if the child has noisy breathing at rest, is struggling to breathe, the skin between the ribs pulls in, they are drooling or cannot swallow, have blue or gray lips, or become pale, drowsy, or floppy. Do not try to look down the throat of a child who is drooling with a high fever.