Croup, False Croup

Croup and false croup: how to distinguish and what to do when they appear

Croup and false croup are diseases that can cause choking in children. They are often confused with each other, but are actually different diseases that have similar symptoms.

Croup is an inflammation of the larynx and narrowing of its lumen, which can lead to difficulty breathing. Croup can occur in children under one year of age and usually begins with a mild cough and mild fever. Then the cough becomes barking and is accompanied by suffocation.

Unlike croup, false croup begins in the throat and primarily affects children under 5 years of age. Children with false croup may also have a barking cough, but it is usually not as severe as with croup.

If your child shows signs of croup or false croup, you should consult a doctor immediately. Some measures can help relieve symptoms before a doctor arrives.

To help your child breathe easier when they have croup, you can use hot drinks, such as warm milk with sugar or just warm sugar water. You can also use steam inhalation of soda or lime water, which will help reduce swelling of the larynx.

Vapors of essential oils such as eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil can be used to treat false croup. You can also use air purifiers to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.

But remember that self-medication can be dangerous, so at the first sign of croup or false croup you should consult a doctor. As a last resort, if a child experiences severe suffocation, you must immediately call an ambulance or take the child to the hospital.

Remember that prevention is better than cure. In order to prevent croup and false croup, it is necessary to monitor the child’s health, strengthen his immunity, avoid contact with people with ARVI, and regularly ventilate the premises.