- With Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Jay Hoecker, M.D.
Dr. Jay Hoecker, an emeritus member of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, brings valuable expertise to health information content on primary care pediatrics. He has a particular interest in infectious diseases of children.
He's a Fort Worth, Texas, native, certified as a pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was trained at Washington University's St. Louis Children's Hospital, and in infectious diseases at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1989.
"The World Wide Web is revolutionizing the availability and distribution of information, including health information about children and families," Dr. Hoecker says. "The evolution of the Web has included greater safety, privacy and accuracy over time, making the quality and access to children's health information immediate, practical and useful. I am happy to be a part of this service to patients from a trusted name in medicine, to use and foster all the good the Web has to offer children and their families."
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Question
Croup treatment: Does high humidity relieve symptoms?
Does breathing warm mist work as an at-home remedy for croup symptoms?
Answer
from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Warm, humid air has long been considered a useful croup treatment if symptoms aren't severe. But there's little scientific evidence showing measurable benefits from using steam as a croup treatment. Still, exposing your child to a warm, moist environment as a croup treatment isn't likely to be harmful and may be worth a try.
The primary sign of croup — medically known as viral laryngotracheobronchitis — is a distinctive barking cough caused by inflammation around the vocal cords. Other signs and symptoms include fever and a hoarse voice.
For mild croup, use a cool-air humidifier in your child's bedroom or have your child breathe the warm, moist air in a steamy bathroom. Weather permitting, you may also wrap your child in a coat or blanket and stand in the cool night air. For severe croup — such as a barking cough accompanied by noisy, labored inspirations of breathing (stridor) — a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, epinephrine or another medication to open your child's airways.
- Hall CB, et al. Croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis). In: McInerny T, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009:2647.
- Woods CR. Approach to the management of croup. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2010.
- Cherry JD. Croup. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358:384.
- Bjornson CL, et al. Croup. The Lancet. 2008;371:329.
- Everard ML. Acute bronchiolitis and croup. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:119.
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