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Ways that you can help your child deal with Croup |
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Ways that you can help your child deal with Croup Croup - Part 2 Dr. Edward F.Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Most, though not all, cases of croup are mild. When the child breathes in moist air, his or her symptoms seem to be relieved. One way to humidify the air is with a cool-mist humidifier. Having the child breathe in the moist air through his mouth will sometimes break a croup attack. Another thing to try is misting up the bathroom with hot shower steam and having the child sit in the bathroom for 10 minutes. You can cuddle your child and read a bedtime story to help calm him. Sometimes, during cooler months, taking the child outside for a few minutes can help break the attack because the cool air can shrink the swollen tissues lining the airway. Parents can also try driving the child in the car with the windows down to bring in cool air. If your child has croup, consider sleeping overnight in the same room as him to be able to provide close observation. If you are not able to break your child's fast breathing and croupy cough, call your child's doctor or seek medical attention as soon as possible. As with most illnesses, rest and plenty of fluids are recommended. If your child has croup, stay calm and keep your child calm. Crying only makes breathing more difficult for your child, so do your best to comfort or distract him or her - cuddle, read a book or play a quiet game. If your child awakens with croup, try these initial steps:
Expect to have at least two or three bad nights before your child improves. Many parents are relieved when their child seems to have improved the day after the first night of croup, but then become worried because croup returns the next night. Be ready for another bad night, but after your child has had at least one or two good nights, you've probably made it through croup. The symptoms of croup generally peak 2 to 3 days after the symptoms of infection start. Croup resulting from viral infection usually lasts less than a week. The vast majority of children recover from croup with no complications. Rarely, some children will develop complications such as ear infection or pneumonia. Children who were born prematurely or who have a history of lung disease (such as asthma) are more likely to develop more severe symptoms of croup and may require hospitalization. Croup rarely causes any long-term complications. Frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with people who have respiratory infections are the best ways to reduce the chance of spreading the viruses that cause croup. There are herbs available that have helped treat this condition. These are the most common: * Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis). Cardinal flower was used to indurate ulcers and to treat stomachache, syphilis, and worms. The leaf tea was used for cold, croup, epistaxis (nosebleed), fever, headache, rheumatism, and syphilis. Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco) yields lobeline sulfate, used in antitobacco therapy. It is used as an antiasthmatic, an expectorant, and a stimulant for bronchitis; it also is used to treat aches, asthma, boils, croup, colic, sore throat, stiff neck, and tuberculosis of the lungs. Some smoked the herb to break a tobacco habit. * Wild cherry (Prunus virginiana). The bark has been used to treat sores and wounds, diarrhea, cold and cough, tuberculosis, hemoptysis, scrofula, sore throat, stomach cramps, and piles. Native American Indians treated snow blindness by leaning over a kettle of boiling bark "tea." Some smoked the bark for headache and head cold. Additional Suggestions: Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - 60 mg 4 times daily for children 6-12 months; 100 mg 4 times daily for ages 1-4; 500 mg 4 times daily for children over 4. Helps control infection and fever by boosting the immune system. Zinc - 5 mg 1 time daily for three days for children 6-12 months; 5 mg two times daily for three days for ages 1-3; 5 mg three times daily for 3 days for children over 3. Use lozenges for faster absorption. Helps with immune function. Eucalyptus Oil - Put in vaporizer and inhale the steam. Onion Packs - Apply hot onion packs over the chest and back three times a day. Opens pores and relieves congestion. Nopaine - Rub on chest and back area 3-4 times daily. Helps to loosen congestion. Air Ionizer - Helps to keep air clean and healthy. Place one in child's bedroom especially if the child is prone to allergies, asthma or croup. Keeping the child healthy constantly is the number one goal for you as a parent to keep him or her from having croup. Keep reading to find out what you can do to change your life pattern or your child’s to keep the child from developing croup again.
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