Croup Cough Treatment

Croup takes place when an infection occurs in the respiratory system, which is where the vocal cords, voice box, trachea and the bronchial tubes are located. A case of this comes about due to a common case of flu or another source, and takes place in babies over 6 months and even in young children, affecting boys more than girls. This happens due to a change in the weather when the temperature drops, causing the onset of cold and flu, that can lead to croup coughs.

Croup cough is contagious and can spread through airborne bacteria when one either coughs or sneezes. It can also spread if one touches any surface that may have these bacteria on them, which then enters the oral cavity if one's hands are unclean.

Causes of Croup Cough

There are certain signs that are shown in kids when under the influence of this condition, with the causes being...

• Diphtheria
• Glandular fever
• Common cold
• Influenza A or B
• Viral infection
• Parainfluenza virus type 1,2 or 3
• Epiglottitis
• Laryngitis
• Haemophilus influenzae B
• Measles
• Herpes simplex virus
• Allergies due to foods/elements
• Whooping cough
• Bronchitis
• Adenovirus
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Rhinovirus
• Pneumonia

Symptoms of Croup Cough

One needs to have these immediately checked out before they escalate.

• A cough that sounds harsh and coarse.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Nose is runny.
• When the child exhales a rattling sort of sound comes through.
• Crying sounds hoarse.
• High pitched respiratory sounds can be heard called a 'stridor'.
• Heartbeat is rapid/slow.
• Low-grade fever.
• Inhalation is noisy.
• Skin is clammy.
• Feeling drowsy.
• Skin is darkened with an evident blue hue.
• Throat is sore.
• Increased rate of breathing.
• Skin is tightened around the rib cage region, making bones more visible.

Treatment for Croup Cough

Croup cough can be treated with medication that can be administered to help ease the symptoms of croup. To help with this, children are given certain prescriptions with signs of improvement over time.

• Only during a severe case of croup should cortisone medications be administered.
• Saltwater droplets, a quarter of a teaspoon in amount, is given to open up the nasal passages that are congested. This is followed by using a suction device called a 'ear bulb syringe' to gently help in also opening up blocked nasal passages.
• Benadryl is said to be a cough medication that should be avoided when dealing with croup cough.
• Other medications prescribed are Tylenol, Panadol, Advil or Liquiprin.

Make sure that when the weather drops or shows signs of change, your child is clad with warm clothes, so that the body is protected from any viral infections. Also stress on the importance of washing one's hands before eating or after touching foreign surfaces. Practice home-based precautionary measures so as to avoid this condition from taking place and also immediately give your child his / her necessary medications to get well sooner when he / she falls ill.