Barking Cough: What It Is, Causes, and When It's Dangerous

A harsh cough that sounds like a bark is more frightening than an ordinary one: it seems as if the child cannot breathe in properly. Let's look at what lies behind this sound, how it differs from a normal cough, and at what point talking about it stops being calm.

What a barking cough is and how it sounds

A barking cough is a harsh, abrupt sound resembling a dog's bark; sometimes it is compared to a seal's bark. It appears when the vocal cords (larynx) and windpipe (trachea) become inflamed and swollen — hence the hoarse voice and cough. The voice alongside the cough often drops to hoarseness, and the cough itself is usually worse at night.

Croup: the most common cause of barking cough in children

Croup is inflammation of the larynx and trachea. The cause is usually viral, most often parainfluenza; less commonly it is caused by allergy and reflux. Croup starts like a cold — with fever, runny nose, and cough — and then the vocal cords swell, and a hoarse voice, barking cough, and a high-pitched squeaking sound on inhalation appear. Symptoms are usually worse at night. The greatest risk is in children from 6 months to 3 years, who also tend to have a more severe course; croup is more common in autumn and winter. Most viral cases are mild, symptoms last about three to five days, and mild croup often resolves on its own within 48 hours.

Similar sounds occur in other conditions too, so the doctor looks at the whole picture:

• a cold — runny nose, sneezing, cough, and fever;
• bronchiolitis — cold symptoms, wheezing and rapid breathing, the child eats poorly;
• whooping cough — coughing fits with a characteristic whoop on inhalation.

Associated signs: fever, hoarseness, noisy breathing

Fever with a barking cough may be present but is not obligatory: it occurs with both a cold and croup. So look not only at the thermometer but also at the voice and breathing. Hoarseness, barking cough, and a high-pitched squeaking sound on inhalation add up to the typical picture of croup. Noisy breathing, skin retractions under the ribs, and the abdomen participating in breathing indicate that breathing is harder than usual. Worsening of symptoms toward night is also a characteristic feature of croup, not a sign that you did something wrong.

How a doctor distinguishes croup from other conditions

The doctor distinguishes croup from a cold, bronchiolitis, and whooping cough by the set of symptoms and assesses how hard breathing is. If the child is more seriously ill or is under 3 months old, they are sometimes referred to hospital.

Warning signs and when to see a doctor

If you suspect croup, see a doctor: they will decide whether treatment that shortens the duration of the illness is needed. A reason for a repeat visit is worsening of the condition or lack of improvement after the examination.

A barking cough by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if the child has difficulty breathing (grunting is audible, skin is retracting under the ribs, breathing sounds different), the skin, lips, or tongue turn blue, gray, pale, or blotchy, the child is sleepier than usual or hard to wake, is unusually quiet and lethargic, has gone limp and does not react as usual, is very restless and cannot be calmed against a background of difficulty breathing, has increased salivation, has difficulty swallowing, or wants to sit rather than lie down.

This material is for reference: it helps to recognize the sound and navigate the signs, but does not replace a doctor's consultation, who will examine the child or adult and name the true cause of the cough.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer