Humid Air

• Breathing humid air can help relieve the cough and other respiratory symptoms caused by croup. Try placing a humidified or vaporizer in the bedroom to make the air more humid while sleeping, when coughing fits tend to strike. Be sure to keep hot water vaporizers out of reach of young children to prevent burns. To provide quick relief for a croup attack, take the child to the bathroom and turn on the hot shower. The steam that accumulates should provide some relief.
  
  

Medications

• Unless croup is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics will not be effective in treating the illness. In severe cases, medications such as corticosteroids may be prescribed to help open airways and make breathing easier. Children who have a high fever from croup may get some relief from taking over-the-counter fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Be sure never to give aspirin to children with a fever, though, because it can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and possibly life-threatening condition.
  
  

Hospitalization

• In the most severe cases, when breathing is distressed to the point that oxygen levels become dangerously low, hospitalization may be necessary. While in the hospital, croup patients will generally be treated with humidified oxygen to make breathing easier. In the worst cases, a breathing tube may need to be inserted.
  
  

Home Care

• In addition to providing moist and humid air, there are other steps to take at home to keep croup patients comfortable. Offer plenty of fluids, including beverages and foods such as soups and Popsicles. During a coughing fit, keep your child upright to make breathing easier. It's also important to get plenty of rest in order to give your body a chance to fight the croup infection.