Croup...again.

[Donbean]

Yes, this is the third time this year. Now my question is, do you think it could be related to an allergy, dog hair, cig smoke or what?
I thought that it was a viral type thing but why is he getting it again and again?
Could it be like cold sores, they are viral, once you get it youve got it?

I don't know Donbean, but I have much sympathy for you. Both my kids get croup and the attacks have definitely lessened in frequency as they've got older (they are now 4 and 3). This year so far they have both had croup twice which is not so bad. I think it really peaked when they were around 1.5 to 2.5 and then got slowly better.

Our attacks seem to be related to them getting colds so definitely viral but I'm hoping as they get even older, it will go away!

How old is your little one?

22 months. The attacks only last a couple of nights but last night i didnt get any sleep because i was sleeping on the floor next to his cot. I was too anxious to leave him alone. I sat him up and did all that usual stuff but he kept waking up coughing with that awful sound. Its just scary very scary isnt it.

yes, I think ours was at a peak around that age. I can live with that dreadful barking cough but I can't stand that terrible rasping wheeze when they try and suck air in and out. It is very very scary. Some children just seem to be more susceptible than others - some children don't get croup at all it seems.

I think it can have an allergic element (although I'm pretty sure it didn't with either or mine even though the eldest has asthma and is allergic to all sorts!). I find steam does help (locking yourself and ds in bathroom with hot shower on) or going outside for some fresh, cold air (have no idea why that helps!).

If it makes you feel any better, even though dd is now 4, when she has croup I leave the monitor on all night in case her breathing deteriorates suddenly. Fingers crossed you are just going through a bad patch and he won't get any more outbreaks for the rest of summer.

I don't know if there is any truth in it, but I was assuming that certain kids just have more delicate tubes etc, so are more likely to generate the right conditions for croup, and are therefore more likely to get repeat attacks.

Not that that helps you much