11 Home Remedies For Croup Treatment & Prevention Tips

Croup is a respiratory problem caused by virus infection. It is followed by throat pain and dry croup cough. Croup generally occurs in children and infants. Most cases clears up with home remedies in three to five days after you start treatment. Yet special precaution should be taken to avoid croup virus from spreading.

Croup is contagious and it can spread easily through air. It infects the upper airway that blocks regular breathing and produces barking sound while coughing. Baby with croup are dizzy and crying due to narrow air passage. This make it very difficult for infants and children to breathe normally. Croup cough sound is also similar to noisy seals.

What is Croup? What causes croup?

Lets get to basic first, it infects the bronchial tubes. There is possibility that the croup cough sound is due to various virus infection. Among those virus, they might be responsible for causing dry cough and common cold. About 85 percent of cases affects infants and children. Their age can range from 1 month to 5 years.

Can adults get croup

Yes adults can also get infected with croup virus while treating the baby. Also the exposure to virus can happen from public places. However, adults recover faster as compared to babies and children. Adults having strong immune might not even get infected. So it’s important to maintain a good immune system.

How Long is Croup Contagious

It is a short-term respiratory problem. Mostly infants and children under age of 10 suffers most from croup infection. The period of croup resistance depends upon house care. But in general it can be treated with in a week.
Yet regular check up and proper diet can reduce the chance of being infected. In cold season or while season shift take extra precaution. Because these viruses take shelter in the moist droplets of air.

Croup Incubation Period

The signs of croup infection can be observed with in 24 hour after exposure. The common symptoms are fever, noisy breathing, wheezing, fatigue, running nose, chest congestion, difficulty in breathing, impaired voice, phlegm coughing, and sore throat.
Croup treatments can be done at home. It hardly requires medical attention. Here are best natural home remedies for croup cough treatment for fast healing.

11 Natural Home Remedies For Croup Cough Treatment

Steam Treatment

One of the most shouted natural remedy for croup cough treatment is steam therapy. The coughing tends to reduce when exposed to warmness. As the steam reaches the bronchial tube in your throat the virus tends to shrink. The wide-spread of the virus falls away in the form of phlegm coughing.
Steam treatment can be done with the help of bathroom running hot water supply. The warmness of steam also takes care of inflammation of throat if any. It soothes the mucus and reduce the thickness.

Increase Fluid Intake

It is utterly important to stay hydrated. Always make sure to keep drinking clear fluids. It is proven to be very effective in treating croup naturally. Baby sometimes cry due to lack of decisions. They are not able to figure out how to get rid of this coughing and irritating mucus in the throat.
Continuous consumption of fluids reduces the amount. It helps them breathe better and prevent wheezing.

Lavender Oil Massage

Lavender oil is well-known as mood enhancer. It is also a proven potent antiviral. Lavender oil is easily absorbed in the skin. Baby skins are tender and soft which tend to absorb oil faster than adults.

Treating Croup Cough With Lavender Oil

Lavender will reduce inflammation and helps in breaking the continuous croup coughing. Due to fast absorption lavender can be said to be best natural remedy for croup in infants. It keeps the skin nourished while fighting back with virus. The antiseptic abilities of lavender oil also help in preventing such virus attack from happening again.
You need: Virgin lavender oil
Directions:

1. Take 10 drops of lavender oil in your palm.
2. Rub your palm for 2 minutes.
3. Now gently apply this warm lavender oil around the neck and chest of baby.
4. Massage the chest gently for 2 minutes.
5. Repeat this remedy 3 times a day for fast healing.

Castor Oil For Croup Treatment

Castor is the best essential oil for croup cough therapy. It is very strong anti-viral in nature which inhibit the growth of croup causing virus.
Castor oil is popular laxative which can even treat constipation. It is antimicrobial and also antiseptic which helps in reducing the chest congestion. It can be very effective in stopping the virus growth. Castor oil reduces inflammation and alleviate throat pain.
You need: Compressed castor oil
Directions:

1. Take 15 drops of castor oil in your palm.
2. Rub your palm for 30 seconds to warm the oil a little.
3. Apply this over the chest and throat to stop coughing.
4. Repeat this remedy twice a day for fast healing.

Honey

Honey can be really effective in stopping your croup cough sound, which is similar to barking dog. It is a potent antimicrobial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and antibacterial. All of these honey health benefits results into treating cough faster.
A study published by “United States Department Of Agriculture“, hints that honey can show results in reducing sounds of croup coughing.
You need: Manuka honey
Directions:

1. Take 1 tablespoon of raw manuka honey.
2. Drink it slowly take time in swallowing. Don’t swallow at once.
3. Take another spoon of honey after 5 hours.
4. Practice this natural remedy to get rid of coughing with barking sound.

Freezer Door

Some times it has been observed that sudden cool blast can cure croup. It has been practiced in India from a while. Indians simply use their freezer for treatment. There is no research backing this remedy yet but people who practice it are strong uptight with the opinion.
The sudden coolness reduces the virus circumference making it easy to fight back. Hence its worth a shot because you just need to sit.

Freezer Door Treatment For Croup Cough

Directions:

1. Place a chair in front of the freezer door.
2. Make your baby sit in that chair or if you are suffering then sit straight on chair.
3. Wrap your entire body with warm blankets.
4. Now open the freezer door.
5. Sit there for 20-30 minutes.
6. Repeat this home remedy until you recover completely.

Lemon Juice

Vitamin C rich lemons are perfect natural remedy for croup cough. The sourness and virus don’t play along. Lemon is known for its potent antimicrobial properties in Ayurveda.
In Ayurveda, lemon is used as disinfectant to reduce the infection wide-spread. Lemon also detoxify body from free radicals through sweat and urine. You should eat lemon as frequent as possible to provide basic minerals and vitamin C.
You need:  Lemon juice, manuka honey
Directions:

1. Take out juice from 1 normal size lemon.
2. Make sure you don’t touch the juice with your fingers.
3. Drink this juice slowly and don’t eat or drink anything for next 30 minutes.
4. Now take 1 spoon of lemon juice and add 1 tea-spoon of honey in it.
5. Drink this casually.
6. Repeat this remedy twice a day to get rid of croup in days.

Peppermint

Peppermint is antibacterial which makes it effective in croup treatment. This herb can show noticeable results in less than 24 hours. For adults, you should avoid peppermint remedy if you are pregnant or expecting pregnancy in next month.
Peppermint can reduce the inflammation and inhibit the spread of croup virus. This will reduce the frequent coughing. A study shows that peppermint can block viral and bacterial attack by changing the basic molecules.

Curing Croup With Peppermint

You need: 10-15 peppermint leaves, lemon juice, honey
Directions:

1. Bring 1 cup of water to boiling point and throw peppermint leaves in saucepan.
2. Simmer it for 5 minutes and pour it over a strainer placed above a bowl.
3. Now let it cool down a little and add 1 tea-spoon of honey.
4. Also add 1 table-spoon of lemon juice and mix it well.
5. Now sip on this warm peppermint tea to get rid of croup fast.

Note:- It the patient is infant then take 5-10 drops of peppermint oil and rub it around throat and chest. Cover baby with warm blanket for an hour.

Chamomile

Chamomile is good at relaxing muscle and treat soreness. It relieves throat tension which helps in easy mucus release. Curing croup can become easy if you drink chamomile tea.
This herb is used in folks medicine from centuries. Due to anti-inflammatory ability, it can reduce throat swelling. People uses chamomile to treat chest irritation, cold sores, slow healing wounds, and gum inflammation. It is also used for skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, chicken pox, shingles, and diaper rash.
You need: Chamomile leaves, honey
Directions:

1. Add 10 chamomile leaves in 1 cup of boiling water.
2. Simmer this for 3-5 minutes.
3. Pour this over strainer placed above a cup.
4. Wait until temperature drops a little and add 1 tablespoon of honey.
5. Sip on warm chamomile tea to reduce signs of croup overnight.

Note:- In case of children below 5 or infants don’t give them tea. Go for chamomile oil massage around neck and chest for croup sickness.

Wintergreen Oil

Wintergreen is an aromatic herb. It is also antiviral and anti-inflammatory in nature. Essential oils for croup is one of the best remedy people follow. Because they go easy with kids with no worry of side-effects.
Wintergreen oil is another excellent home remedy for croup. Essential Wintergreen oil reduces spasm while providing relief from congestion in chest, spasmodic cough, and breathing trouble.

Wintergreen oil for Croup Cough

You need: Wintergreen oil
Directions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water for few minutes until bubbles start forming.
2. Now pour it in a clean bowl.
3. Add 10-15 drops of wintergreen oil. Stir it to mix well.
4. Now sniff on steam coming out from this bowl.
5. It is safe for children and infants too.
6. Repeat this natural remedy twice a day to treat croup.

Elderberry for Treating Croup

In herbal cure world, elderberry has its respect for being very effective in treating viral problems. It is also taken by mouth to treat cold and flu. Due to potent antiviral abilities elder is common household remedy for croup cough.
Elderberry is rich in flavonoids which support human cells. It regenerate and repair damaged cells. If you are wondering about “How long does croup last” then according to a Study published by “University of Maryland Medical Center“, elder extracts can help you get rid of virus in 2-3 days.
You need: Elderberry oil, elderberry extract
Directions: Only for Adults 

1. Take 1 cup of lukewarm water and mix 10-15 drops of elderberry extracts.
2. Stir them well and sip on it.
3. Repeat this natural treatment twice a day to treat croup at home.

Directions: For infants and children below 10

1. Take 10 drops of elderberry oil in hand.
2. Rub you palm for 1 minute. This will warm the oil.
3. Now apply this around upper neck and over entire chest.
4. Massage baby chest gently for 2-3 minutes.
5. Repeat this remedy to reduce symptoms of croup in babies.

11 Home Remedies For Croup Treatment & Prevention Tips

Prevention Tips

Before we move ahead towards the prevention tips lets recall the reasons what causes croup. It is contagious and it spreads by airborne respiratory droplets such as sneeze and cough. Also by physical contact like handshakes or hugs. Infection also triggers due to saliva exchange by kissing or shared drinks. Last, by touching a contaminated surface such as blanket or doorknob. Now lets learn how can we avoid this problem at first place. Follow these croup treatment guidelines.

Tips for Babies and Children Below 3 Years

1. Give your baby a steamy bath thrice in a week.
2. Wash infants clothing separately, to avoid unwanted virus exposure.
3. Keep them dry and wash baby hands frequently.
4. Clean your house floor with natural antiviral ingredients.
5. Give essential oil massage daily.
6. Pick oils from lavender, olive or castor oil for massage.
7. Focus chest and upper neck for oil massage.
8. Don’t let them drinks shared by adults to avoid baby with croup.
9. Say no to kissing if you are infected.

Tips for Adults and Kids Above 3 Years

1. Always wash your hand when you walk back to home.
2. Clean doorknobs and avoid handshakes with flu infected people.
3. Use a clean handkerchief for cleaning nose.
4. Boost immune by eating natural antibiotic foods.
5. Drink herbal tea regularly.
6. Take 1 spoon of honey before going to bed.
7. Keep your surrounding clean in cold season.
8. Take warm bath before going to bed.
9. Drink lemon or citric fruit to detoxify your body.

Home remedies are highly effective in treating croup in infants and adult. Let us know which home treatment worked best for you in comments below.

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