Home Remedies for Croup

Croup is a viral infection in which inflammation occurs in the larynx and wind pipe. It causes barking cough and hoarseness of the voice. Mucus gets collected in the wind pipe and breathing becomes tough. It mainly affects the kids in the age between 6 months to 3 years but older kids can also be affected.

Spasmodic croup is a cough that develops with a simple viral infection like simple cold and barking cough develops at night with some fever. Symptoms become worse at night than during the day. Fall and start of winter is the time for children to get this infection.

Home Remedies

As croup is caused by simple cold, it is not dangerous and can be treated at home with some simple home remedies.

The first step is to give steam or hot water bath. This would help to relieve the breathing problem by opening the nasal airways. Make the environment calm and do not let the child shout or cry as this could make the condition worse. Taking the child outside in fresh cool air would also help.

Croup is a contagious disease, so try to avoid your child from coming in contact with the infected child. As it occurs due to viral infection, if not treated properly it can reoccur also.

Give the child sufficient vitamin C supplement so that immune system gets boosted up. Hot chicken soup with garlic and oregano is very effective. Keep the head slightly elevated so that breathing becomes slightly simple. Give the child enough of liquids because with every cough water is also passed out.

Place a humidifier in the room and sit with your child. This would help the child to get relief from breathing problem and is also effective in treating croup.

Do not give milk to the child as it builds up mucus. Try these simple home remedies. If nothing improves, then consult the doctor.