croup

[rawandama]

ACK! My son has croup. I feel so bad for him, he just wheezes like crazy. We were up at five this morning and had a coughing fit that literally lasted for 45 minutes, interspersed with lots of burping and you-know-whating, because he's swallowing so much air just to breathe. Does anyone know how long this lasts? And should I have him go totally raw? He's only 15 months old.

[Revvell]

I don't know what "croup" is yet, I would calm him down and teach him to "sip" air rather than trying to gulp it. It's a survival trick I learned when having asthma attacks. YOU have to be calm first though.

I don't know what age has to do with going 100% raw as it's the highest form of eating one can do. Why would you feel to go less? What have you been feeding him?

Suggestion: warm water w/ lemon. Breaks up flegm. (sp?)

Revvell

[RowanC]

We just went through croup with my granddaughter.
If you live somewhere cold, a lot of times all you have to do is put him in a blanket and take him outdoors in the cold air and the croup episode will be over quickly.

Also, a COOL air humidifier helps a LOT.

In the old days, we'd take them into the bathroom and steam it up with hot water running. Our doctor said this CAN work, but you need to have an open window for cold air. I don't know if I believe that.. it always worked for my kids.

It's scary and can be dangerous and I'm sorry you're going through it. I also was told by the doctor that if the child has it this year, chances are he'll get it again next year, though not as bad. It's also highly contagious.

Personally, I wouldn't put such a young child on totally raw foods, because their immune systems aren't finished .. but that's me. Does the child nurse still?

Good luck!

[rawandama]

No, he weaned himself at 7 months- there have been many times I wished he still nursed. The strange this about this is that he hasn't been around other little kids lately. In fact, it's been about two weeks. I ran into another mom who said the same about her son who got it the night before last! What's up with that?
Since it's highly contagious does that mean I'll get it? And if I did, would it hurt my unborn baby?
*sighs* This stinks. :(

[rawandama]

oh yeah, how long did it take your granddaughter to get better?

[RowanC]

Well.. my son, his wife, and I did not get it. I think mostly kids get it. Our vocal chords are more developed so we just get a sore throat.

I want to say it took about 2 weeks for her to TOTALLY get better.
Have you been to the doctor?

Don't mess around with this. If the child gets REALLY bad, their air can get blocked off. The doctor told us that if they start turning blue, don't mess try to find a hospital, but call 911 because they can smother fast.

I don't want to alarm you.. but you really need to keep an eye on things. If the kid comes out wheezing, gasping, honking that funny cough and can't get their breath, get to the ER. They'll give him/her a steroid (by mouth) that will immediately shrink the swelling. One does does it.

[Revvell]

http://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=59

Avoid all dairy products and wheat.

Revvell

[firefaery]

No dairy or gluten and RowanC is right. A change in temp can often make things better. You could also try some aromatherapy in the shower. Sandalwood and Rosemary are great for chest stuff. You could also try eucalyptus if you have it. Most people do find relief for their kids going from a warm moist environment to a cool dry one (ie shower with steam to the outdoors..) Good luck! You could also do a castor oil pack on the chest/throat area to reduce any swelling of the throat. It works remarkably well in conjunction with the essential oils.

[rawandama]

Thank you three for your help. I think he was hospital material the first night just because he couldn't focus on anything but trying to breathe and he literally coughed for 45 minutes. Last night I was worried, but nothing happened. I sat him upright and he slept that way for hours with perfectly clear breathing. He got up later about 3 times because he was coughing so hard, but I just sprayed eucalyptus on his chest and rubbed some under his little nose- cleared the problem up almost instantly. It was wonderful! He has been sleeping since six o'clock yesterday evening and it is now 10 minutes to 9am!! yay!!! I also elimated dairy and wheat yesterday- in fact, I eliminated anything that was mucous forming. He mostly had fruit, but my mom gave him some cooked stuff. Thanks again RowanC, Revell, and Firefaery!