Does High Humidity Alleviate Croup?

Croup is a common ailment found affecting children primarily under the age of six. It is a viral infection that attacks the vocal chords, causing swelling. This swelling will result in the child having a distinct cough. In most cases, this infection is usually not serious, but it can make breathing difficult for the child. Normally, cases of croup will last fro five to six days in which symptoms will get worse at night and will be at their worst during the second or third evening. It is a common virus and is contagious, so it is important to keep hands clean to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Croup may develop in a child who already has a common cold. In other cases, it will develop out of the clear blue, with no indications that the child has a virus. Generally, croup will cause a harsh cough and will be combined with symptoms of a cold, sometimes accompanied with a fever. The swelling of the infected vocal chords may make talking a painful exercise and can cause hoarseness and breathing problems.

If your child has croup, the most important thing to monitor is stridor. This is the raspy sound that is made when the child inhales. Many times, cases of croup can be treated at home and do not require medical intervention. If your child is acting normally and sleeping well but is affected by the cough, it is safe to treat the child at home. Monitoring the stridor is very important for the duration of the illness. If it is noticed that the child is having more difficulty breathing and fevers are frequent, the croup virus may be more serious and medical attention should be sought out.

Typically, cases of croup are treated at home with no medications. Only in severe cases may the child be prescribed a steroid prescription that will reduce inflammation of the airway making it easier to breathe. Whether the child is on medication or not, there is an effective treatment that can be done at home that will provide relief and will help clear breathing passages.

For children with croup, humidity may be their best friend during the course of the illness. High humidity levels help keep airways and breathing passages open and clear. Many parents will take the child into a bathroom and turn on all hot water, allowing the room to fill with steam. This will create a high humidity level that will make breathing much easier for the child. Some parents choose to use a vaporizer or a humidifier. It will help the child if a window is left open at night, as the cool air will also clear the airways. Taking the child out for a ride at night with the windows open has been an effective home remedy for many children with croup. The ride calms them and the night air provides for easier breathing.

Any way that humidity can be created will be a positive and effective treatment for croup. Raising humidity levels in rooms where the child will be at rest or sleeping will make breathing easier and will provide much relief of the symptoms associated with this virus. Croup is a common virus among young children, and though it is usually not serious, it is important to keep an eye on the child's breathing patterns. If they are getting worse and the child shows signs of struggling to breathe, consult a doctor immediately. Using the high humidity treatment at the onset of croup will alleviate many symptoms and make the child comfortable.
By Serinna Malory