Croup

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Croup: technical name laryngotracheobronchitis; inflammation, swelling and the buildup of mucus in the larynx and the vocal cords, trachea (the windpipe) and bronchial tubes as well.... It occurs in about 3% of children, mostly under 5 yrs because the windpipe is smaller, but older children can be affected. Boys get it more than girls do.

Croup is (said to be) caused primarily by parainfluenza virus, but cases have been detailed where adenovirus,Coxsackie B virus, bacteria like Pusteurella Izaemolytica.

This site (http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/croup.html)also mentions measles, respiratory syncytial virus, and allergic reaction.

.... in other words, pretty much anything can "cause" it. From 1900 - 1940 mild diphtheria was often listed under croup. Epiglottitis can also be confused with croup, so the advice to see a doctor is usually when:

difficulty breathing, including rapid breathing, belly sinking in while breathing
the skin between the ribs pulling in with each breath
makes a whistling sound that gets louder with every breath
pale, gray or bluish color around the mouth
unusual amount of drooling or difficulty swallowing
greater inactivity than usual when ill or less alert than usual
high fever
cannot bend neck forward
cannot talk or cry
seems to be getting worse


Croup is said to occur in fall, winter and early spring, and according to some medical sites croup is dangerous because it can turn to pneumonia.

The sounds of croup are refered to as "stridor" (very noisy harsh wheezy breathing) and a barking cough. Croup is usually worse at night, but can occur at any time. Children are infectious in the first three days; croup can last up to 5 days.

Antibiotics are useless for croup, though many doctors consider them standard treatment. doctors also consider the use of steamy showers "outdated" and useless.

New Zealand parents are told (http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/Topics/Health/Winter+Ailments/Croup.html):


Treatment for croup

Take your child to the doctor
Your doctor will decide if the croup is mild, moderate or severe by examining how well they are breathing, their colour, how alert or sleepy they are, how much air they are getting into their lungs and if there is any stridor
An x-ray may also be ordered
If croup fails to clear, your doctor may order steroid treatment
Sometimes croup is caused by a bacterial infection – if so, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics
If croup is severe your child may need hospitalisation – treatment can include being put inside a humidified oxygen tent.
Risks & complications of croup in children


Croup is more common in premature babies and in children with lung problems such as asthma
Croup is also more common in children with Down’s Syndrome
Complications can include ear infection and pneumonia – though these are quite rare
Most often there are no long term complications from croup
The site above also has this gem:
The diphtheria, measles and Hemophilus influenzae vaccines help protect against the most severe forms of croupThe restof the advice given to new Zealand is primary what you do, when you don't know what to do.
This e-medicine article (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/407964-overview) is the technospeak version.

[Wonder-Full]

My ds has had croup (well, self diagnosed by me) a couple of times.

I found alternating a steamy shower room and/or chilly night air (just poking his head out the window is enough) to help him get out of the coughing fit.

At the first sign of a "bark" I would give him a homeopathic remedy (can't recall just now, it's been over a year) but can find it if anyone is interested.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Croup: What you can do.

We have been told that croup has both viral and bacterial origins, and where viral causation is mooted, that can result in secondary bacterial infection.

The most important part of the immune system to be mobilised for Croup is CMI (Cell mediated immunity) and MALT (mucosal associated lymphoid Tissue.)

First and most important, hot lemon and honey drinks, with a bit of vitamin C tossed in. Or tangelo/orange. Citrus for flavinoids...

Herbals

Antivirals of which the most palatable will be elderberry extract (the commercial version is Sambucol, but my kids hated it, so I make my own.), chinese five star. Olive leaf isn't usually palatable enough for most children.

James Duke's Green Pharmacy page (http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/41/34.cfm)for colds, flus etc, would be applicable. He lists echinacea, garlic, ginger, black cherry, citrus, vitamin C, elderberry, forsythia, onion, anise ephedra, goldenseal, licorice, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm, watercress, Garlic and Onion Chicken soup.

Some of those herbs make a very palatable warm drink which goes down well.

I'd avoid goldenseal or wild cherry, as they can be drying to the mucous membranes.

Homeopathy.

Aconite in the initial stages with the barking cough.
Hepart Sulph, cough has become looser and child is irritable.
Spongia dry barking cough usually worse before midnight... cough better after eating and drinking, particularly warm drinks.

Old textbooks say to give Aconite, hepar, spongia, hepar and spongia

Aromatherapy (not given at the same time as homeopathy)

Eucalyptus or teatree oil, equal quantities in a carrie oil such as grape seed, olive or sweet almond, and rubbed onto the chest.

Various other old fashioned remedies are written up, like simmering three heads of garlic in 250 g's of lard until it's rendered into an ointment and putting it on the soles of the feet. with woolen socks on top.

[justine]

My son gets croup every year. He barks for a couple of days and then it gets a bit chesty then he is ok. I'm hoping he might grow out of it soon, he's nine this year. When he was a baby the doctor gave him antibiotcs but I found out what to do a few years back. If he gets it I just give him vitamic C. and (try) to make him rest. The best thing to do is nothing.

Justine