Treating Croup in an Infant
Croup is a Potentially Deadly Illness that can be Treated Easily
Mar 30, 2009
Croup can creep into your child overnight. It starts with a simple cold that can increase in severity very quickly. It is worse at night when babies are getting ready to go to bed. Upon laying them down you can hear them wheeze or even struggle for air. Infants throats and airways are very small, and even a little inflammation from a cold can cause the tiny air passages to close.
According to the Mayo Clinic, If your baby is wheezing, struggling and gasping for air, has difficulty swallowing and has a fever of 103 F or above, the best thing to do is take your infant to the nearest hospital or call for an ambulance. If you are driving your baby to the hospital, be sure to roll down the windows and let your baby breathe the cool night air.
Hospital Treatment for Croup
At the hospital, the doctors will evaluate the cough and severity of the illness. They may administer steroid shots and give your baby albuterol and nebulizer treatments to soothe the throat and lower the inflammation of the airway. You baby may be sent home with an inhaler and infant air chamber, which makes it easier for the baby to inhale more air, instead of trying to get them to inhale directly from the inhaler.
Home Care for Croup
The best thing to do at home once your baby is stabilized is to give him or her frequent vapor and mist treatments. Keep a humidifier in the room where baby sleeps. If you don't have one, you can go into the bathroom and let the hot water run from the shower. Hold baby in the bathroom for as long as you can. Taking a shower with your baby is also beneficial and it should feel good to him or her to have the warm air hit his or her back. FamilyDoctor.org suggests to have your baby breathe through a warm wet washcloth.
The other thing to do, which should be done in concurrence with the hot steam treatment, is to take your baby out into the cold air at night. Be sure to bundle baby and yourself very well, then step outside at night for 20-30 minutes and let the cool air soothe baby's throat. Do not give your baby cough or cold medicine . These medicines dry out the throat and can make the condition worse.
Watch for Signs of More Severe Croup
While most cases of croup are mild and can be treated at home, severe cases of croup can lead to hospitalization, intubation, and even death. An infant's body already works harder than an adults, and cannot afford to struggle to breathe. If after taking trying home remedies your baby does not get better and even worsens, call an ambulance or take baby to the hospital yourself.
Disclaimer: This material presented here is for informational purposes only. Always consult a physician for medical advice.
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