Symptoms Of Croup And Croup Natural Cures

Also known as laryngotracheitis, croup is narrowing and inflammation of the voice box or the larynx and the windpipe or trachea. Croup happens because of an inflammation. Children who are between the ages of three months to six years are susceptible to croup. As the children become older, the windpipe becomes larger and they are less likely to suffer from a swelling that is large enough to obstruct their breathing. Croup can happen any time of the year, but children are more susceptible during the winter. The inflammation is aggravated due to secretions that dry up and are caked up around the wind pipe and voice box.

Types Of Croup And Croup Remedies

There are four types of croup:

Laryngotracheobronchitis or viral croup: This is a common croup that can happen to children between the ages of three months to five years. This croup is caused by viruses like parainfluenza, mycoplasma, echovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.

Spasmodic laryngitis or spasmodic croup: Children between the ages of one to three years old get affected by this croup that is caused by an upper respiratory infection, psychological factors or allergy.

Infectious laryngitis: This type of croup affects the vocal chords.

Epiglottitis or supraglottis: This is a rare and serious type of croup.

Symptoms of croup: Some of the symptoms include -

• A high-pitched, harsh respiratory sound known as a stridor
• A barking cough
• A hoarse cry
• Problem in breathing
• Low fever
• A rattling sound while breathing out
• A crackling sound in the chest
• A child might also experience a runny nose, noisy inhalation, a rapid pulse, clammy and cold skin, the chest sinking in while breathing. If a child has infectious laryngitis, then he may have a sore throat and loss of voice.

Treatment: To get relief from the symptoms of croup, you can follow the following treatment plan.

• You might like to try out mist-therapy in a steam-filled bathroom. Keep the windows open and the door closed. Sit with your child in this steam-filled bathroom for a few minutes.
• Make your child wear warm clothes and take him into the night for a few minutes for fresh air.
• You can use a humidifier in your child’s room.
• Make sure that your child is drinking enough fluids through the day. Fruit juices, water and soup are good for the child.
• Keep the child away from smoke-filled rooms.
• Make sure that the child is reassured and calm.