Can Croup Be Treated with Humidified Air?

THE CLAIM

Croup can be treated with humidified air.

THE FACTS

Pediatricians have long recommended 20 or 30 minutes of exposure to humidified air as a home remedy for the respiratory infection that causes harsh coughing and is known as croup. The thinking is that the heat and moisture help relax tight or swollen airways.

But now scientists are beginning to think that the treatment may be little more than an exercise in futility. This year, British researchers compiled data from three large studies that have examined the treatment over the years and found that it had no clear benefits.

The researchers reviewed 135 mild to moderate cases of croup in children treated with humidified air in a hospital or not treated at all. After looking at factors like mortality, the progression of symptoms and the number of school days missed, the researchers found that children with croup did "not improve greatly with inhalation of humidified air."

The study appears in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, which examines research in health care. The authors say the apparent benefits of humidified air may have more to do with secondary factors like the calming effect of a parent's presence or encouragement to take deep breaths.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Despite anecdotal evidence, research suggests that humidified air does not relieve croup.