Croup

Croup is an infection of the upper respiratory tract that results in the swelling and inflammation of the area below the vocal cords. Before the onset of croup, your child may have had an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold, sinus infection, or sore throat. Croup is almost always caused by a virus, which may also affect membranes above and below the larynx (the "voice box"). It is most common in children from about three months to three years of age. As with many viral infections, it occurs most frequently in late fall and winter.

Croup is distinguished by a brassy, barking cough, difficulty breathing, and a harsh, low-pitched wheezing sound with each intake of breath. These symptoms are caused by the inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords. The infection may also increase mucus production, which can block the airway. While not usually life threatening, croup is one of the nastiest and scariest of the childhood illnesses.

The symptoms of croup may be mild or severe. Breathing may become difficult or more rapid. The muscles between the ribs may pull in as your child inhales, and it may appear as if your child has to work hard just to take a breath. Because an upright position eases breathing, your child will probably prefer to sit up in bed or be held upright. Your child may also have a fever and congestion.

Children typically awaken in the middle of the night with croup. An attack can last for several hours, subside, and recur over the next few nights. Although croup does not usually last beyond three days, it is possible for it to become chronic.

There are several other conditions that can mimic this disease. For example, a child who is choking may also have a croup like cough. However, a child with croup will be able to talk in between bouts of coughing, whereas a child who is choking because of an obstruction in the airway may make frantic, high-pitched sounds, but will not be able to talk normally. The symptoms of viral croup are also similar to those of acute epiglottitis, a rapidly progressing bacterial infection.

Supplements and herbs

• Prepare a tea of equal parts of marshmallow root, mullein, osha root, and licorice, and give your child one dose of tea, twice daily, for as long as symptoms are present. Marshmallow root lessens inflammation and coats and soothes an irritated throat; mullein helps promote expectoration and soothes the respiratory tract; osha helps to clear the lungs; and licorice has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and sweetens the tea.
  Note: Licorice should not be given to a child with high blood pressure.

Homeopathy

Use the appropriate remedy in the 6, 12 or 30th potency, as often as symptoms require. This may be hourly or even more often in acute stages.

• Aconite
  Hard, dry, hacking, croupy sounds. After exposure to dry cold air, drafts.
  Sudden onset; high fever, hot red face, turns pale. Heat and burning thirst.
  Pain worse breathing in. Loud noises and coughing on breathing out.
  Attacks in first sleep. Laryngitis, grasps throat. Restless, fear of death.
  Worse: touch, cold, night, after midnight, in bed. Better: open air, lying.
• Hepar sulph
  Hollow, croupy cough. Loose, rattling; tenacious mucus with choking, gagging, wheezing. Profuse sour sweats, weakness. Chilly. Craves acids.
  Croup from exposure to cold dry winds. Anxiety on lying. Irritable rage.
  Worse: early morning, evening till midnight, cold air, drafts, touch, uncovering, cold food or drink, lying. Better: heat, wrapping up, dampness.
• Iodum
  Dry, croupy, barking cough, dry throat and larynx. Hard, tough mucus.
  Constant tickling in trachea and under the sternum. Wheezing respiration.
  Laryngitis, hoarseness. Pain in larynx on each cough; grasps the throat.
  Weight loss, emaciation, yet good appetite. Night & morning sweats.
  Worse: warm room, wrapping up, night, talking. Better: cold air, motion.
• Kali hick
  Brassy, barking or rattling cough. Thick, yellow, tenacious mucus, hard to expectorate; suffocative gagging, constant need to clear the throat.
  Rattling and wheezing, short of breath. Pain from larynx, trachea to back.
  Chilly, sluggish, great weakness. Worse: on waking, lying down, cold, damp, 2-3 a.m., eating, hot humid weather. Better: warmth, motion.
• Phosp horus
  Hollow, hacking or loose cough. Cough with trembling of whole body.
  Great hoarseness, painful larynx makes it difficult to speak. Laryngitis.
  Constant clearing of throat. Suffocating feeling in larynx, trachea, chest.
  Croup becomes chronic, keeps returning, or turns into bronchitis.
  Great weakness. Worse: twilight, touch, warm food or drink, physical or mental exertion, lying on left, talking, laughing. Better: open air, sleep.
• Spongia tosta
  Hollow, barking, crowing, sawing cough. Suffocating, as from a plug or leaf in larynx; gasps for air. Burning in chest, larynx. Sensitive to touch.
  Whistling breathing. Painful palpitations. Feels weak, heavy. Terrified.
  Worse: dry, cold, wind, after sleep, breathing in, raising arms, before 12 p.m., talking. Better: lying with head low, after eating, warm food or drink.

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