Croup usually starts as a cold. Your child might have a runny or stuffy nose and a fever. But it doesn’t take long before your little one’s symptoms turn into something else. Here are the signs your child may have croup:
- A cough that sounds like a bark (may be worse at night)
- Hoarse or raspy voice
- Noisy, labored breathing
- Fever (in some cases)
- Rash
- Eye redness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Call your doctor if symptoms don’t improve after 3 to 5 days or they get worse. See your doctor right away if your child:
- Makes a noisy, high-pitched breathing sound (doctors call it “stridor”) when she breathes in or out
- Starts drooling or has a hard time swallowing
- Is anxious, agitated, or has no energy
- Breathes much faster than usual
- Has a hard time breathing (chest muscles pull in)
- Turns gray or blue around her nose, mouth, or fingernails
- Seems to be dehydrated, with dry lips or tongue, and/or no urine output