Croup in children – false croup and faryngeal diphtheria. Prevention and treatment

Colds are often accompanied by cough, hoarse voice, more noisy breathing. However, if these symptoms aggravate, cough becomes more sonorous “barking” and there are difficulties with inhalation and exhalation, it is necessary to take urgent measures, as these symptoms indicate the development of croup.

Croup is a swelling of the larynx in which lumen narrows and air circulation disrupts. This condition is dangerous and requires treatment.

Varieties of croup: what distinguishes false croup and faryngeal diphtheria

Croup develops only against the background of an inflammatory disease (A.R.V.I., pharyngitis, tonsillitis). It usually occurs in the first days of a disease. Doctors differentiate two types of this condition:

• Faryngeal diphtheria. It is a presentation of diphtheria. Therefore, at present is can be found rarely.
• False croup. This is a complication of laryngitis – inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, which affects the larynx and vocal cords.

In both cases, there is a stenosis of the larynx. But with faryngeal diphtheria, it is caused by swelling, develops slowly and requires long-term treatment. And with stenosing laryngitis, a muscle spasm and accumulation of mucus play a leading role. Its presentation is of a more sudden nature, occurs in attacks, and with a quicker relief.

Causes of the attack

False croup is more common for children under three, sometimes six years old. This is due to the fact that in a child’s larynx has a lot of loose tissues that are easily filled with lymph. In addition, the trachea has a special anatomical shape, more narrowed than in adults.

Croup is not common for all children. There are contributory causes. These include:

• Allergy tendency.
• Reduced immunity against herpes infections, frequent colds, artificial feeding.
• Weakened body and nervous system, which happens after birth trauma, fetal hypoxia.
• Severe diseases (tuberculosis, rickets).

In fact, croup is the result of hyperactivity of toxins released by pathogenic bacteria, a kind of allergic reaction. It occurs when the body lacks its own strength to cope with intoxication.

Stages of disease development

The disease can be active or less pronounced, based on this, the stage of the disease is determined.

1. If the disorder is noticeable only when a child is crying or moving actively, then they talk about the first stage. Shortness of breath and panting occur on activity.
2. In the second stage, the symptoms are observed even if a baby is calm.
3. By the third stage shortness of breath aggravates. It is difficult for a child both to breath in and breath out.
4. At the last stage, asphyxia develops with an acute lack of oxygen. There is no cough and noisy breathing. The nervous system operation is disturbed, as well as that of the heart, pressure drops, there may be cramps.

Any stage of croup requires treatment, because the transition from the first stage to the last may take less than one day.

Symptoms to pay attention to

Most often development of false croup can be suspected with the occurrence of barking cough and shortness of breath. But there are other symptoms that will help to recognize the pathology correctly:

• Noisy breathing, with whistling.
• More frequent breaths.
• Changes in chest movement. At the moment of inhalation, it does not expand, but decreases. There is a retraction of the pit located on the chest between the clavicles, a rise of the diaphragm upwards, a retraction of the intercostal muscles.
• Pale skin.
• Bluishness of the nasolabial triangle.
• Increased excitement and anxiety in the baby.

Not necessarily all symptoms are pronounced, but with the progression of stenosis, they appear more and more. The attack most often develops in an acute period – on 2-3 day of the disease. It suddenly begins at night.

Possible complications

The appearance of swelling and narrowing of the larynx leads to the disturbance of mucus and sputum outflow. It promotes the reproduction of bacteria and the spread of infection down. Tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia can develop.

How you can help your child before the ambulance arrives

When a child’s breathing is disturbed, urgent measures must be taken. Self-treatment is allowed only in stenosis at the first stage. Consultation with a pediatrician is required. If croup is on the second, third or fourth stage, call an ambulance immediately.

While the ambulance is on the way, parents can take measures that will slow the development of swelling.

• Soak baby’s feet in a bowl of hot water. This causes blood outflow from the larynx and makes breathing easier.
• Moist air helps reduce the spasm. Close the door to the bathroom and make the bath full of hot water. When the air is full of steam, take the baby in.

Of course, if such attacks are repeated with each disease, you should have some emergency means at home:

• Nebulizer is a special inhaler that turns medicinal liquid into very small particles of steam without heating. Drugs in the form of aerosols immediately get to the place of stenosis, improve the outflow of sputum, relieve swelling, relax the muscles. Ulaizer™ Home will be ideal for that. This nebulizer can be used to treat the whole family for any colds. A special mask for young children is included.
• Salbutamolum nebulas, ampoules of dexamethasone. They are used for inhalations in the nebulizer. They help to relieve swelling quickly and ease breathing. Dekasan has a little antiseptic and antispasmodic effect. But even if there are no special drugs, you can prepare inhalation with the help of saline (Lorde Hyal nebulas), it has a mucolytic effect.
• Another drug for inhalation, which is available in the form of drops.

Emergency doctors give the child injections of Prednisolonum or Dexamethasonum. These are hormonal drugs that require an accurate dosage. One must never use them without a doctor’s advice.

Subsequent treatment

In the future, the child is prescribed drugs aimed at eliminating inflammation. It can be antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

To prevent the recurrence of attacks, antihistamines and No-Spa are taken. These tablets are also given with the beginning of each cold, if the child has regular episodes of croup.

During the diseases the baby should be given warm alkaline drinking. Avoid hot liquids, rubbing and compresses, not to increase the inflow of blood to the throat.