The Croup is Crap

Sorry for my lewd language (Mama Jan), but this last round of sickness in the family has me completely worn out. It just seems like we have been hit with one thing after another this winter and spring. Thankfully Brad and I are both well and can actually take care of children unlike our last bout of stomach flu. Ugg...the memories.

Jack has been struggling the last 3 days with the croup and although he's had this before, I've never seen or heard it with such severity. He's woken up a few times the past 2 days with an ashy appearance and really struggling for breath. Scares us to death. For new mommies and those with little to no experience with the croup, I thought I'd use this post to share what we've learned. It really is a very contagious virus and any child under the age of 7-8 is susceptible to croup.

Most people will refer to croup as the "Seal barking" cough. It really does sound like a large strange animal in your house when you first hear this cough. The first line of defense is a cool-mist humidifier in the child's room and if an attack occurs the best home remedies are a steam shower or if the weather is chilly, to simply take the child out in the cold...the colder the better. Croup is an inflammation of the airway and anything cold, even popsicles (Jackson's favorite home remedy) can help. If the child is having trouble actually getting breaths a more aggressive measure might need to be taken like Prednisone or Albuterol treatments.

I found this really interesting site where you can listen to sound bites of children having a variety of coughing spells. Seems strange but it can really help you isolate the problem and hopefully treat it more effectively.

http://www.health24.com/child/Cough/833-3456,35921.asp

Hope this might help someone in the care of their future seals.