Croup

Young children are particularly susceptible to inflammation of the larynx. If this swells and obstructs the passage of air, they may get croup. Typically, your child will wake at night with a rasping cough, followed by a harsh sound as he draws in his breath.

Most cases of croup are mild and pass quickly. However, occasionally the swelling of the airways leads to breathing difficulties. If your child is struggling for breath or is blue, seek medical help immediately.

What to do

• Try to keep calm. If your child becomes frightened he will tense and will find breathing more difficult
• If he is having severe difficulty in breathing, call an ambulance or take him to the hospital
• Ease his breathing with steam inhalation. Close the door and window in the bathroom and run the hot taps
• If you've no hot water, take him into a small room with doors and windows closed and boil a kettle with the top off, ensuring that your child is kept well away from the direct steam from the kettle, which can burn. Be careful the kettle doesn't boil dry
• Once the attack has passed, keep his room humidified by placing damp towels on the radiator