Barking cough In fresh pseudo-group attacks, children are helping the fresh air

Bring children to the cool air at Pseudokrupp

Mostly it happens in the middle of the night: Suddenly the child wakes up with a strong barking cough and breathlessness. When inhaling, a whistling sound is heard that sounds as if the baby is suffocating. Behind the complaints is probably a pseudo-group attack. Experts explain what parents need to consider.

When the child wakes up with a barking cough

Barking cough, severe shortness of breath and a whistling sound during inhalation: Pseudo-croup is one of the most common diseases in young children and occurs preferably at the age of six months to three years. A statement from the University Medical Center Freiburg explains: "Pseudo-croup is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the region of the larynx and the vocal cords. The disease is usually caused by viruses. "Then the mucous membranes in the larynx and vocal cords are so swollen that the airways are almost closed. Every breath produces a whistling and hissing sound.

Children who suffer a pseudo-group attack at night can help if they are calmed and taken to the fresh air. If there is a need for air, the emergency doctor must be called immediately. (Image: S.Kobold / fotolia.com)

Boys are more likely to become ill than girls

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), boys are twice as likely to develop pseudo-group sex as girls. According to the Freiburg Clinic, the children cough particularly strong in the evening. If the barking coughing sound gets stronger and stronger, a seizure can occur.

Despite the threatening and frightening coughing noises, the Krupp attack is usually benign, according to the Foundation for Child Health. Everything can be over by the next morning.

However, some children may become into a life-threatening condition.

Keep calm and hug child

Professor Andrea Heinzmann, Senior Physician at the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the University Medical Center Freiburg explains how toddlers can be helped quickly.

According to the expert, it is important "that the child is calmed and distracted by the cough. Thus, the child comes to rest again ". It would be advantageous to store the upper body of the child.

Breathing is facilitated by fresh, cool-moist night air. "For this, the child should be sat upright or put on his arm. If the cough has improved, drinking cold drinks can also reduce the degree of swelling and relieve the symptoms ", says Professor Heinzmann.

Even if the coughing sounds bad in Pseudokrupp, it is important to always keep calm and go out in the evening to relieve coughing with the child outside on the balcony or on the terrace, because cold air makes the airways swell again.

In case of severe shortness of breath call a doctor immediately

In case of acute shortness of air, however, the emergency doctor should be called immediately.

The experts of the professional association of paediatricians also see it that way. Professor Hans-Jürgen Nentwich of the BVKJ warned in an earlier announcement:

"In case of severe respiratory distress, a doctor should be called immediately. If the child's lips and / or nails turn blue, it is a life-threatening emergency and parents should call the ambulance immediately. "

Even those who are insecure or panic themselves should contact the emergency number 112. "No one has to be ashamed of that," said Janko von Ribbeck, according to a news agency dpa.

If the attack is over until the arrival of the ambulance, he has just leave again. "Better to call once too often than once too rare," said the alternative practitioner who has written a book on first aid to children and even for years with the ambulance was on the road as a paramedic. (Ad)