Croup cough is a common condition found in children where in their upper airways - the voice box (larynx) and the windpipe (trachea) - get inflamed making the child breathless. This condition is caused by viruses (parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus) that attack during the winters. Croup cough is a contagious ailment and it makes the child suffer from cold and flu-like symptoms like fever, stuffy or runny nose, spasmodic episodes of harsh barking cough, and rasping breaths.


Along with these symptoms, the child’s voice will turn hoarse and he will suffer from shrilly and squeaking inhalation or wheezing. The suffering child’s symptoms will worsen late at night and will continue for several nights at a stretch. Croup cough usually affects children between the age of three months and six years, though it can affect older children too.


In most cases, a child outgrows this condition by the time he turns seven. The symptoms of this ailment take from three days to a week to subside. Croup cough begins with a mild cold and it seldom turns life threatening. But, it must be treated immediately as the viruses can spread down the lower airway and inflame the bronchi.

When a child suffers from croup cough, the parent must keep the child’s environment calm and composed as the symptoms of croup cough worsen when the child cries. One of the most effective ways of treating croup cough is combining essential oils like eucalyptus, sandalwood, myrtle, and frankincense and instilling the mixture in a steam vaporizer, which must be kept in the child’s room. The mixture can also be added to the child’s warm bath water. Another effective remedy is running a hot shower in the bathroom and having the child inhale the steam for 20 minutes. This will ease his breathing, clear the congestion and treat a runny nose.

Giving the child hot ginger tea or mint tea also brings relief as both these products are beneficial in most cold and cough related ailments. Avoid giving him tea with milk as it thickens mucus, which becomes difficult for the child to expel. Lots of fluids, like warm water, apple juice, and ginger ale are also beneficial in loosening phlegm and hydrating the body. Administer one tablespoon of honey to the child everyday as it is beneficial in treating most kinds of coughs. Finally, prevention is the best cure. Keep your child away from other children suffering from croup cough.