My Little girl has had Croup again

Ted_Hutchinson

Repeat infections are the sign of a poor immune system.

To improve your immune system you need to ensure your vitamin D status is optimal. Most UK adults are vitamin D insufficient, it would be surprising if most children were not equally low in Vitamin D status.

Vitamin D is a very good anti inflammatory agent so as croup is an inflammatory condition ensuring her body is fully charged with natural anti inflammatories is just common sense.
The Antibiotic vitamin explains the science behind Vitamin D acting as a natural antibiotic. This is now a little dated and there is much newer research confirming the examples provided at the end of that article which I will be pleased to provide if anyone has any doubts.

The Sunshine Superstar is an Independent article detailing the results of some research (done actually to find out how much vitamin d mothers needed to take to allow vitamin D to flow in their breast milk) showing that when people are Vitamin D replete that suffer 70% fewer upper respiratory tract infections.

Epidemic Influenza And Vitamin D more research on the same idea.

Regular non burning sunshine exposure (up to 20 mins a session) is the best way of raising vitamin d status. In my blog I've set out some research based ideas for improving your natural sunscreen potential but be aware these are NOT instant solutions and require healthier eating patterns for 3 months or so to show results.

The Vitamin D Council have information and advice on what are effective appropriate amounts of Vitamin D3 for children to take. I've had the grandchildren staying recently and as well as ensuring they are now nicely tanned have dissolved some of my Vitamin d3 Cholecalciferol capsules in the Zipvit omega Juice to ensure they get an appropriate amount of Vitamin D with their omega 3. You could consider Cod Liver Oil which has a natural (but somewhat lower) Vitamin d content.

ktb

I don't have any advice on the croup specifically, but I do I agree with Ted in that you need to treat the root cause of the repeat infections rather than just focus on the symptoms of the croup. Her immune system is obviously not a strong as it could be... I would seek alternative holistic treatments myself. I would also take a very careful look at nutrition as this can have a big impact on immunity.

Kimitatsu

My DS has had croup until the age of 9 so I can only tell you what we have done! He has also had ear infections recurrent in one ear since the age of 3 which is horrible but not enough to have gromits or anything else.

The steam thing is entirely the best. I run a hot bath or just hot water shower and sit with him in the room giving him a cuddle it relaxes him and helps him to breathe normally.

If she has a rattly chest then take her off cows milk. DS2 has an intolerance to cows milk and the difference in his health has been remarkable since taking him off lactose, there are loads of products on the market now so she doesnt need to miss out on much.

DONT give them anything for a "night time" cough or cold. It brings on the croup, I read it somewhere and when I told the pharmacist they told me it wasnt true but I havent used it since and we have not had an attack of croup since.

For the ear infections bit out of left field but find a holistic dentist and get her teeth checked! DS1 went to the dentist and they showed me how his teeth being out of alignment was affecting the way he stood and the fact his jaw was pushing back into his ear so causing the ear not to drain properly. She was brilliant and now 12 months on we rarely have even a twinge of ear ache.

Hope this helps as all of the other posters have said there is little conventional medicine can offer so look at other alternatives - she will eventually grow out of it.

sarahmoon_2

My eldest daughter suffered from croup as a toddler. She had it a couple of times and the Doctor then decided to treat her for asthma. Which worked! She outgrew the asthma before school though. But I would say the same as everyone else, a hot steamy bathroom, just shut the door and run the hot taps.

Daisydoll

It's interesting to read other people's post linking croup to asthma, my eldest dd(4) has had croup 4 times now. The first time she was about 2 years old and I was so scared, I had to take her and her sister(4 months old) at the time to A&E at 3am to get the steroids. The last 3 times I have recognised the cough before it has got too bad, we have a humidifer only a cheap one(£30)from argos and it works a treat(although it took down dd's boarder in her bedroom!).

DD also had recurrent chest infections as a baby and I was constantly getting asked if asthma runs in the family so I wonder if it is all linked?(we are a non smoking household btw)

Bargain_Rzl

AArrgh your poor DD - one of my earliest memories is of a croup attack when I was about 4 (I'm 29 now) -I don't remember feeling ill at all but still have a strong sense of the terror of being unable to breathe

No advice I'm afraid but I hope it doesn't happen again ((hugs))