Croup is a common childhood infection that causes a barking cough and a rasping sound when breathing. It usually gets better on its own.
Symptoms of croup include a barking cough, a hoarse voice and breathing difficulties.
Croup usually gets better on its own within 48 hours. To ease discomfort, keep your child upright and give them plenty of fluids.
Read more on the NHS website.
Symptoms of croup include a barking cough, a hoarse voice and breathing difficulties.
Check if your child has croup
These are the symptoms of croup:
- a barking cough that sounds like a seal (you can hear examples online)
- a hoarse voice
- difficulty breathing
- a rasping sound when breathing in
Your child will usually have cold-like symptoms to begin with, such as a temperature, runny nose and cough.
Croup symptoms usually come on after a few days and are often worse at night.
Read more on the NHS website.
Croup usually gets better on its own within 48 hours. To ease discomfort, keep your child upright and give them plenty of fluids.
Self-care
Croup usually gets better on its own within 48 hours.
Until it does:
Do
- stay calm
- sit your child upright
- comfort them if they're distressed (crying can make the symptoms worse)
- give them plenty of fluids
Don't
- do not put your child in a steamy room or get them to inhale steam
- do not give them cough or cold medicines
Read more on the NHS website.