Diagnostic Findings of Croupy Cough


Diagnostic Findings of Stridor

Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords. It is usually part of a cold. The hoarseness is due to swelling of the vocal cords. Stridor occurs, as the opening between the cords becomes narrower.

Expected Course

First Aid For Attacks of Stridor With Croup

Inhalation of Warm Mist. Warm, moist air seems to work best to relax the vocal chords and break the stridor. The simplest way to provide this is to have your child breathe through a warm, wet wash cloth placed loosely over his nose and mouth. Another good way, if you have a humidifier (not a hot vaporizer), is to fill it with warm water and have your child breathe deeply from the stream of humidity.


Results of First Aid. Most children settle down with the above treatments and then sleep peacefully through the night.

Note: If the stridor continues in your child, call our office immediately. If your child turns blue, passes out, or stops breathing, call the rescue squad (911).

Home Care For A Croupy Cough

Mist. Dry air usually makes coughs worse. Keep the child's room humidified. Use a cooled mist humidifier if you have one. Run 24 hours a daily. Otherwise, hang wet sheets or towels in your child's room.

Warm Fluids for Coughing Spasms. Coughing spasms are often due to sticky mucus caught on the vocal cords. Warm, clear fluids such as apple juice, lemonade, or tea, may help relax the vocal cords and loosen the mucus.

Cough Medicines. Medicines are less helpful than either mist or swallowing clear fluids. Older children can be given cough drops for the cough, and younger children can be given some corn syrup. If your child has a fever (over 102 degrees) you may give him acetaminophen.



Call Our Office...
Immediately and begin first aid for stridor if