How is croup treated?
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In most cases, croup is mild enough to be treated at home. If your child's doctor recommends home treatment, give your child plenty of rest and fluids. Over-the-counter pain relievers and steam, such as from a vaporizer, can ease the symptoms of croup during the recovery period, which usually lasts less than a week. If the croup is the result of a bacterial infection, your child's doctor is likely to prescribe antibiotics. In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids or medicated aerosol treatments, such as epinephrine, to address breathing difficulties. In rare cases, the croup may be so severe that the child needs to be hospitalized so that breathing problems can be monitored and treated.
In most cases, croup is mild enough to be treated at home. If your child's doctor recommends home treatment, give your child plenty of rest and fluids. Over-the-counter pain relievers and steam, such as from a vaporizer, can ease the symptoms of... More -
Healthwise answered:Home treatment, such as using a humidifier, can help treat mild to moderate croup. Regardless of treatment, symptoms usually improve gradually within 2 to 5 days.
If your child has severe croup or has not responded to home treatment, medicines may be used to reduce airway swelling. These are usually given in a doctor's office or an emergency room. Medicines usually include:
- Glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone or budesonide (for example, Pulmicort).
- Epinephrine.
If your child needs extra oxygen, it is given through a nasal cannula or delivered through an oxygen mask placed over the nose and mouth.
If breathing improves after one or more of these measures, your child will be observed for a short time and sent home. If symptoms do not improve, your child may need hospitalization and further testing.
What to Think About:Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not helpful for treating croup. These medicines may not be safe for young children. Before you give them to a child, check the label. If you do give these medicines to a child, always follow the directions about how much to give based on the child’s age and weight.
Antibiotics are not effective treatments for croup. These are only used if a secondary bacterial infection, such as a middle ear infection, develops.
Home treatment, such as using a humidifier, can help treat mild to moderate croup. Regardless of treatment, symptoms usually improve gradually within 2 to 5 days. If your child has severe croup or has not responded to home treatment, medicines... More
