Croup

[Squirdle]

Can anyone tell me anything about croup. It seems DS3 (3.2) had an attack last night. It was either that or an asthma attack, but it did settle after an hour in the steamy bathroom.

It was quite scary really. DS woke with a kind of barky cough, like he had a really sore throat and really struggled to breathe.

He seems ok this morning but I am going to get his chest listened to as he is prone to Chest infections. Anything else I should know about croup (if thats what it is)?

It sounds like croup and there isn't a lot you can do for croup unfortunately just the steamy room.

DS had a bout like this a couple of weeks ago but we remembered that when he was little and had been out in the cold wind he would get like that at night and would be clear by the morning.

Hi Whoops,

Thanks, it's horrible though isn't it!! In all my 14 yrs as a parent I haven't come across croup with my 3. I will still get him checked though as he has had pneumonia before (which was also v. v. scary) and his breathing still isn't totally right today.

wow you're lucky for none of your 3 to get it! dd was addmitted to hospital with it when we first moved back from Scotland.
It' prob best you get it checked if he is prone to chest problems.
Is dh away? give us a shout if you need a hand with the others

No DH isn't away, though it'd probably be best if he was this morning (see other thread - grr) he is off to the US tomorrow and A is off on his German exchange on Tuesday. D is playing happily so I don't think he is very ill. Thanks for the offer of help. Ooh if you are free on evenong next week give us a shout. I shall be all on my own as of 7pm when the boys go to bed!

My ds (now 4.2) has had it a few times and it's horrible, though usually not serious. I think the give away is that bark - it's unlike any other cough. If he was croupy last night then it may be helpful to steam his room tonight before the cough sets in. That's worked for us - we've used a kettle, as well as a humidifier in the room so that the room is dense with steam and the walls are dripping. In the past my GP has prescribed a cortesone syrup (one spoon for three days)to ward off any serious trouble.I hate giving drugs but I have used the syrup because DS had a really scary episode as a baby.It gives me peace of mind to have it in the house just in case things get really nasty. Hope your DS feels better soon.

I saw other thread but didn't want to stalk you
How about Wednesday night? I could bring that nutter with me too if you want as that was one of the nights we could both get together. I have a pub job now too but will tell you about that when I see you!

Wednesday is perfect and yes bring the nutter, I haven't seen her for a while!

Cool! Have emailed her and told suggested it to her! see you about 8pm even if I am on my own!

It seems to run in families: I and my two biological brothers both had it, my nephew had it and my dd had it. I wasn't too bad, but my little brother was and did need quite a few hospital admissions. My Mum said she didn't have a proper nights sleep for 10yeras, she was always subconsciously listening for the bark. Dd was never that bad, and only had a couple of attacks, none of which needed medical treatment.

Some children get it when they have even a slight cold; it doesn't necessarily mean they are very ill apart from the actual croup attack. The two things that seem to help are either the steamy bathroom or the cold outside air. Most children grow out of it by the age of 6 or 7.