Barking cough is caused by croup, which is an inflammation of the trachea larings and triggered by allergies, change in temperature at night, or are the most common upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. In young children, small airways will be narrowed when experiencing inflammation. Vocal cords will swell so that the child has trouble breathing.
Children aged less than 3 years most often suffer from croup. Croup can appear suddenly in the middle of the night, so parents were worried. Although most cases can be treated at home, if the child is suspected of having croup, contact your doctor to discuss his condition.
This cough is caused by allergies, changes in air temperature and upper respiratory tract infections. This cough can strike children suddenly, especially at night and before dawn when the child slept.
Seal Bark Cough Baby
What is croup?
Croup is a swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). Croup can be caused by allergies, bacteria, or inhaled irritants, but it's usually the result of a virus.
Croup is most common in children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years, although a child can get croup at any age. The illness shows up most frequently in the colder months – between October and March. Most cases of croup today are not serious, but a severe case can require hospitalization.
What are croup symptoms?
Viral croup can have two distinct presentations, both of which are a consequence of swelling of the vocal cords resulting in a narrowing of the airway. The more common variety has symptoms of fever (100 F-103 F), mild hoarseness, and sore throat two to three days after virus exposure. Quick to follow is the characteristic dry "barking seal" cough that may be associated with a harsh, raspy sound during inspiration. (This sound, called "stridor," has been noted to resemble the breathing of the Star Wars character Darth Vader.) The symptoms commonly last for four to seven days.
The less frequent presentation of croup is called "acute spasmodic croup." These children will appear totally well when put to bed at night only to awaken their parents in the middle of the night with the above described barky cough and stridor. Fever and sore throat are not noted in these children, and the symptoms commonly resolve within eight to 10 hours from onset, and the child appears totally well until this same acute onset recurs the following night. This on/off pattern may occur over three to four nights in a row and then morph in to symptoms more characteristic of the common cold -- mucus-like nasal discharge and a "wet" cough for several days.
These two different presentations are the result of the particular virus that has infected the child. Manifestations of croup vary from mild (common) to life-threatening (rare). The severity of symptoms is proportional to the amount of relative narrowing of the airway. The more severe the vocal cord narrowing the more effort is required to inhale. A severely sick child will refuse to lie down, demanding to remain in an upright position. They will show retractions of the skin above the collarbone and between the ribs with inspiration and may develop facial cyanosis. Apparent exhaustion and decreased respiratory effort are an indication of impending respiratory failure and are cause for immediate paramedic evaluation and transport to the emergency department of the closest hospital.
How do you treat croup?
If this is your child's first bout of croup and the doctor determines that he has a mild case, you should be able to treat him at home.
Moist or cold air seems to reduce the swelling of the airways, so it may be helpful to take your child into a steamy bathroom (turn on the hot water in the shower or bathtub and close the bathroom door) or out into the cold night air for 15 to 20 minutes. Sitting straight up or standing will help him breathe more easily. If your child is too young to sit up straight or stand, try holding him upright.
The steamy bathroom treatment may help, but it won't make the cough go away completely. You may have to repeat the routine each time your child wakes up coughing during the night.
A cool-mist humidifier in your child's room can help you maintain a humid environment. (Clean the humidifier daily with a bleach-and-water solution to ward off the growth of mold and bacteria.) Also make sure your child is getting plenty of fluids.
If your child is more than a year old, you can try elevating his head a bit while he sleeps, to help ease his cough. (Don't use pillows with babies, as this increases the risk of SIDS.) You may also want to sleep in the same room with your child while he has croup, so you'll notice whether he develops any trouble breathing.
If your child has a fever and is uncomfortable, you might want to give him acetaminophen or, if he's 6 months or older, ibuprofen. (Never give a child aspirin, which can trigger a rare but potentially fatal disease called Reye's syndrome in children with a virus.) If your child is younger than 3 months old, talk with his doctor before giving him any medication, even over-the-counter remedies.
Don't give your child cough medicine. It won't have any effect on the swelling in his throat, and it can make it harder for him to cough up mucus. Antibiotics won't help, either, since a virus is probably the culprit, not bacteria.
If the steamy bathroom and cold air techniques don't provide any relief, the doctor may prescribe oral steroids to reduce the swelling and help your child breathe more easily. Oral steroids were previously used mostly for children with moderate or severe croup, but recent research suggests they may be worthwhile even in milder cases.
If your child has a severe case of croup that requires hospitalization, he may be given oxygen, an inhaled medication, or steroids to help reduce the swelling of his airways. He may also be given intravenous fluids to combat dehydration.
Can my child get croup again?
Yes. In fact, some children seem to be more prone to getting croup than others until their airways grow bigger. If your child gets croup a second time, try the at-home therapy right away. And don't hesitate to call your doctor, even if the previous episode was mild. Each bout of croup is different – some more serious or needing more aggressive treatment than others.
Is croup contagious?
Unless your child's croup is the result of allergies or irritants, the virus that's causing it is contagious, so keep your child home until she's free of symptoms.
How can I prevent my child from getting croup?
As with most illnesses, your first line of defense is frequent hand washing with soap and water. When possible, keep your child away from anyone who has a respiratory infection. And be sure to get any child older than 6 months vaccinated every year against the flu.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor right away if you suspect that your child has croup. He'll probably ask you specific questions about your child's cough and breathing, so keep your child nearby while you're on the phone.
If your child has labored breathing or stridor when she's resting, take her to the hospital. While these symptoms can be part of a coughing fit, their appearance when your child is resting may mean that she has serious, potentially life-threatening swelling in her throat.
Of course, if your child seems to be struggling for breath and drooling, or her lips or skin are turning blue, call doctor right away.