Treating Croup

This is an inflammation of the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe) and sometimes the bronchi (the air passages between the trachea and the lungs).  It usually affects young children (6m-4yrs) but can occur in older children too.  It is more common during the autumn and winter months.

It can start with cold like symptoms, but is distinctive in its barking cough, difficulty in breathing and/or harsh grating sound when the child breathes in (known as stridor), difficulty swallowing and hoarse voice.

Most cases are mild (and viral) and will resolve themselves.  Common prescribed home care measurers are drinking plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated and some people suggest sitting your child in the bathroom with the shower or bath running and producing a steamy atmosphere (the child doesn’t need to get in the bath or shower, just be able to breathe in the damp air). There is little scientific evidence to support it – but if it helps then why not try it!

We also have 3 fantastic homeopathic remedies to choose from:

Aconite

The first remedy to give at the onset of croup.  The cough is dry, loud and barking, perhaps with loud difficult breathing  and the child is extremely restless and anxious. Give one dose and wait – if the symptoms have not subsided within an hour, then repeat the remedy again.

Spongia

If the child continues to have the barking cough, give Spongia. The cough will be barking and ringing (like a saw cutting through wood) and the breathing hard and harsh. The child wakens from sleep feeling suffocated, scared with a loud and violent cough.

Hepar Sulph

If the child continues with the cough in the morning, but it is more loose and rattling, give Hepar Sulph. A hepar cough is far worse for the slightest bit of cold air, is loose, rattling and croaking with spells of coughing which are suffocative and choking.

I have had personal experience of this with my children as infants – I gave Aconite and within a very short time the cough stopped and my daughter was far happier.  I had to repeat the remedy once more when the cough restarted, but then it stopped and never returned!