Croup: How to Care for Your Child

Kids with croup have a virus that makes their airways swell. They have a barky cough and raspy voice, and some might make a high-pitched, squeaky noise called stridor when they are active or crying. Most kids with croup get better in a week or so. Follow these care instructions to help your child feel better.

• Try to keep your child calm. Crying can make croup worse. 

• If your child coughs a lot, these things might help: 

  • Run a hot shower to fill the bathroom with steam. Help your child breathe in the steam. (Don't take your child into the hot shower.) 

  • If the weather is cool, open a window or door and let your child breathe in cool outdoor air. 

• Try using a cool-mist humidifier, especially when your child is sleeping. Clean the humidifier after each use. Tap water contains minerals. When possible, use distilled water to run and clean the humidifier. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

• Give your child plenty of liquids. If needed, give small amounts of liquid often using a spoon or medicine dropper.

• Fever can make your child feel worse. If your child has a fever, don't give aspirin. If the health care provider says it's OK, give one of these medicines exactly as directed:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)

  • OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Don't give to babies under 6 months old.

• Do not give any cough or cold medicines to children under 6 years old. These medicines can give kids bad reactions. 

• Don't allow anyone to smoke around your child. Kids who are around smoke cough more and get more lung infections. 

• Your child can go back to school or child care when there's been no fever for at least 24 hours and it has been at least 3 days since the illness started.

Your child:

• has severe coughing spells

• still has croup after a week

• has a new or higher fever

• is not eating or drinking

• appears dehydrated; signs include drowsiness, dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, crying with few or no tears, or peeing less

Your child:

• has trouble catching his or her breath

• has stridor (a high-pitched squeaky noise when breathing) that is getting worse or that happens when sitting, resting, or sleeping

• is drooling

• has pulling in of the neck and chest muscles when breathing

Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, is too out of breath to talk or walk, or turns blue.

Can croup spread to others? The viruses that cause croup can spread from one person to another. To help prevent the spread of viruses:

• Teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or into their elbow or upper arm (not their hands). 

• All family members should wash their hands well and often using soap and water. They should scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse, and dry thoroughly. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

• Clean tabletops, doorknobs, and other hard surfaces with a cleaner that kills viruses. 

How is croup treated? Most kids with croup can be comforted at home with humidified or cold air and by drinking lots of liquids. Some kids need a steroid medicine to reduce swelling in the airway. Kids who have stridor while they're resting or who have trouble breathing need a breathing treatment that can be given in the hospital. Antibiotics don't work because croup is caused by viruses, not bacteria.

Can my child get croup again? Some kids can have croup more than once. If this happens, health care providers can treat it. Sometimes a child who gets croup again will see a specialist called an otolaryngologist (also called an ENT doctor).