Spasmodic croup is a sudden swelling of the upper airways, causing a barking cough, and is often triggered by rhinoviruses. Treatment involves increasing humidity, but severe cases require medical attention and inhaled steroids. Recurrence is possible, especially in infants and young children.
Spasmodic croup is swelling that occurs rapidly in areas such as the larynx and is characterized by a barking cough, which some liken to the sound of a seal barking. When the upper airways suddenly swell, symptoms of this disease can come on quite quickly, usually without warning and often in the middle of the night. This type of croup is just one form of the condition and usually occurs suddenly when people have diseases such as rhinoviruses (common colds). Medical professionals differentiate spasmodic croup from normal croup based on causal factors, sudden onset, and likelihood of recurrence.
The other form of croup usually occurs when young children have flu viruses. The first symptoms of this croup can occur at any time of day, although all forms of the condition seem to occur more often at night. With spasmodic croup, the person is only mildly sick when they go to bed for the night and then suddenly wake up with a barking cough. Regardless of the type of croup you have, the treatment tips are much the same.
Lack of moisture is a major irritant to the airways and worsens symptoms of inflammation, so it’s important to provide a source of moisture right away. This can be accomplished quite easily with a humidifier, or some doctors recommend that people sit in the bathroom while showering. Another suggested treatment is to sit outside with the coughing person, but only if the weather is not severe. With spasmodic croup, symptoms may resolve and sometimes come back later or may get worse.
While increasing humidity can help with croup symptoms, it’s not intended to treat severe cases of croup. Parents especially should monitor their children closely for signs that their condition is deteriorating. If the inflammation increases, the affected person may start struggling to breathe and this requires immediate medical attention. Difficulty breathing can be manifested by the presence of stridor or a great effort to breathe. Any whistling sound when a person breathes, pale skin or nail bed, difficulty speaking because it is difficult to breathe, or very rapid breathing is evidence that the croup needs more significant medical intervention.
In light of these signs, people should go to an emergency facility right away, and the person with croup might be treated with medicines such as inhaled steroids that can stop the inflammation. If spasmodic croup is suspected, a prescription for inhaled steroids and a nebulizer to deliver them may be given because croup can recur. Severe spasmodic croup might also require hospitalization until the condition resolves. Usually things like antibiotics aren’t given because the disease isn’t caused by an infection.
Sudden onset of spasmodic croup can be scary and is often more challenging because it occurs frequently in infants and young children. People tend not to have croup as much as they age, but those who have spasmodic croup may still develop it in late childhood and adulthood. If the condition seems to recur with things like common colds or allergies, doctors may suggest having inhaled steroid medications and a nebulizer on hand to treat episodes quickly.
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