Croup is the worst—middle-of-the-night barking coughs, panicked kiddos, and sleepless parents. Let me show you some tricks to help manage croup at home so you’re ready when it strikes.

1. Get a Nebulizer

These are no longer just for ER visits; you can order one from your favorite shopping app. Pair it with hypertonic saline (also over-the-counter) to help loosen mucus and calm that barking cough.

2. Racemic Epinephrine

This is a game-changer for severe croup. It’s over-the-counter now, but here’s the catch:

• Heart patients, high blood pressure folks—this is NOT for you.
• For everyone else, it’s used in burn units for a reason: it’s fast and effective at opening airways.

3. The Ultimate Hack: Budesonide Nasal Spray

Here’s where it gets next-level:

• Dexamethasone is the gold standard for reducing airway inflammation, but it’s prescription-only.
• Budesonide, which is typically used as a nasal spray, can also help croup. Anything sprayed into the nose heads down toward the lungs, making it a super simple, effective, and accessible option.

4. Ibuprofen Over Tylenol

Croup involves inflammation, and ibuprofen reduces inflammation far better than Tylenol. A swollen throat needs that extra anti-inflammatory power.

5. Antihistamines for Prevention

Histamines cause swelling. Blocking histamines can help reduce the chances of another croup attack flaring up. Keep a kids’ antihistamine on hand to add to your toolkit.

Your Croup Action Plan

• At the first signs of croup: Start with a nebulizer and hypertonic saline.
• If symptoms escalate: Use racemic epinephrine (if no heart issues) and Budesonide spray.
• For inflammation: Stick to ibuprofen, not Tylenol.
• Long-term prevention: Antihistamines can help keep the airway calm and reduce repeat attacks.

Don’t wait for another sleepless night to figure it out—get these tools at home now, and you’ll be ready to handle croup like a pro.