(949) 600-8100

Pay Bill
Parent’s Guide

Parent’s Guide: Is My Child Sick with Croup?

Croup is a common viral infection of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It causes swelling that changes the sound of your child's voice and cough.

1

🚨 When to Get Help

Call 911 Now

  • Severe breathing trouble: Struggling for each breath, can barely speak or cry.
  • Color change: Lips or face turn bluish.
  • Drooling: Sudden drooling with difficulty swallowing.
  • Sudden onset: Symptoms started suddenly after a bee sting, new medicine, or eating high-risk food (peanut/nuts).

Call Doctor Now

  • Stridor is heard: You hear the harsh breathing sound right now.
  • Retractions: The skin between the ribs is pulling in with every breath.
  • Fast Breathing: Breathing is much faster than normal.
  • Dehydration: No urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears.
  • High Fever: Fever over 104° F (40° C), or any fever in a baby under 12 weeks.

Contact in 24hrs

  • You heard Stridor earlier, but it has stopped.
  • The cough is non-stop.
  • Your child is less than 1 year old.
  • Fever lasts more than 3 days.
2

The Quick Check: Is it Croup?

You can usually identify Croup by its very distinct sound. Suspect Croup if your child has:

  • The “Barky” Cough: A tight, low-pitched cough that sounds like a barking seal or a dog.
  • Hoarse Voice: Their voice or cry sounds raspy (laryngitis).
  • Viral Symptoms: It is often accompanied by a fever, runny nose, or congestion.
3

The Danger Sign: Watch for “Stridor”

The most important thing to watch for with Croup is a sound called Stridor.

  • What is it? A harsh, raspy, tight whistling sound heard when the child breathes IN.
  • Why it happens: The airway is swollen and narrow.
  • The Rule: If you hear Stridor, the Croup is severe.
    • Stridor only when crying/coughing: Moderate.
    • Stridor when resting/sleeping: Severe.
4

Immediate First Aid for Stridor

If you hear that harsh noise when your child breathes in, do not wait. Try these steps immediately to relax the airway:

Option A: The Steam Room (Warm Mist)

  1. Go to the bathroom and close the door.
  2. Turn the shower on the hottest setting (do not put the child in the water).
  3. Sit with your child in the steamy room for 15–20 minutes.
  4. Tip: Keep the child calm. Crying makes the swelling worse.

Option B: The Cold Air Shock If steam doesn’t work, cold air often helps shrink the swelling.

  1. Wrap your child in a blanket.
  2. Take them outside into cold night air for a few minutes.
  3. OR: Have them breathe in front of an open freezer or refrigerator door.
5

🏠Home Care & Comfort

If your child has the barky cough but acts mostly normal and is breathing okay, you can treat them at home.

  • Calm is Key: Crying and panic tighten the airway. Hold your child, distract them, and use a soothing voice.
  • Sleep Nearby: Croup often gets worse at night. Sleep in the same room as your child to monitor their breathing.
  • Humidity: Use a humidifier in the bedroom. Dry air makes Croup worse.
  • Fluids: Offer clear fluids (water, apple juice) frequently to thin the mucus.

Treating the Cough

  • Under 1 Year: Give extra breastmilk or formula. NO Honey.
  • 1 Year and Older: Use Honey (½ to 1 teaspoon) to loosen the cough.
  • Avoid OTC Meds: Over-the-counter cough syrups (like those with DM) are generally not recommended for young children, especially under age 6. Honey usually works better.

Treating Fever

  • If the fever is over 102° F (39° C) and the child is uncomfortable, you may use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil).
6

⏳ What to Expect

  • Viral Coughs: Typically last 2 to 4 weeks.
  • School: Your child can return to school once their fever is gone and they feel well enough to participate, even if they still have a mild cough.

Medically Reviewed by Dr Michael Villadelgado
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you use it. If you are unsure, always call your doctor.