What is croup?
Croup is a childhood illness that causes a cough and can make it harder to breathe. It’s caused by a virus (like a cold) and is common in young children. It makes parts of the throat and breathing tubes swell, which can make it harder to breathe.
What are the signs of croup?
A child with croup might have
- A fever and runny nose (like a cold)
- A sore throat and croaky (scratchy) voice
- A loud “barking” cough, that sounds like a seal
- A high-pitched, squeaky noise when breathing in (called stridor)
- Trouble breathing
- Not feeling like eating much
Croup is often worse at night.
Click on this video to listen to what croup sounds like:
How can you help your child?
- Give them lots of drinks, little sips and often
- Give medicine like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain or fever
- Don’t give your child cough syrup (it doesn’t help young children)
- Sit them upright (like sitting up in bed or on your lap) so it’s easier to breathe
- If they’re hot dress them in light clothes and don’t use heavy blankets.
Stay close and check on them often, because ill children can sometimes get worse suddenly.
What is the treatment for croup?
Croup is usually mild and gets better within a few days. But it’s important to call NHS 111 or see your GP if you think your child has croup. This is because your child may need a medicine (called a steroid) that helps the swelling go down. Most children feel better after just one dose and will fully recover within a few days.
Click on this video to listen to an NHS doctor explain what croup is:
When should you worry?
And where to go for help
If your child has any of the following:
- Is going blue around the lips
- A harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor) present all of the time (even when they are not upset)
- Has pauses in their breathing (apnoeas) or has an imregular breathing patter
- Is too breathless to talk / eat or drink
- Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
- Becomes extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very drowsy (difficult to wake)
- Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’) or is aged under 3 months of age and has a temperature of 38°C/100.4°F or above
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Laboured/rapid breathing or they are working hard to breathe – drawing in of the muscles below their lower ribs, at their neck or between their ribs
- A harsh breath noise as they breath in (stridor) present only when they are upset
- Seems dehydrated (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, drowsy or passing less urine than usual)
- Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy)
- Has difficulty swallowing saliva
- Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C/102.2°F or above
- Seems to be getting worse or if you are worried
- Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or above for more than 5 days
Please ring your GP surgery or contact NHS 111
You can phone 111 or, for children aged 5 years and above, visit 111.nhs.uk
If none of the features in the red or amber boxes above are present, continue providing your child’s care at home.