Private croup clinic in London, same-day paediatrics.
Croup is a viral illness that swells the upper airway, giving a harsh barking cough and noisy breathing. It sounds far worse than it usually is, it is nearly always worse at night, and keeping your child calm genuinely helps — because crying tightens the airway further. Our private paediatrics clinic in East London offers same-day croup assessment with a private paediatrician, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
Call 999 if your child struggles to breathe, goes blue, or is drooling and cannot swallow.
The condition
What is croup?
Croup is a viral illness that swells the upper airway, giving a harsh barking cough and noisy breathing. It sounds far worse than it usually is, it is nearly always worse at night, and keeping your child calm genuinely helps — because crying tightens the airway further.
- What croup is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding croup
Croup: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Call 999 now if your child
- is making a harsh noise when breathing in while sitting still, not just when coughing or upset;
- is sucking in below the ribs, at the neck or between the ribs with each breath;
- looks pale, blue or grey, particularly around the lips;
- is restless and agitated, or unusually drowsy and difficult to rouse;
- is drooling, cannot swallow, or will not lie down and is sitting forward to breathe;
- goes quiet and still after being noisy — a tiring child can stop making noise, and that is more worrying, not less.
Keep your child upright and as calm as you can while you wait for help. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. The nearest emergency department is the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
Recognising croup
Croup is most common in children between six months and three years, though it can occur up to about six. It usually appears a day or two after an ordinary cold, and is commonest in autumn and winter. The cough is typically much worse at night, often waking a child suddenly, and tends to be worse for the first two or three nights.
Most children are back to normal within 48 hours, though the cough can rumble on for a week or so.
What to do at home
- Stay calm and keep your child calm. This is the single most useful thing you can do. Distress makes the breathing noisier and the airway tighter. Sit them upright on your lap, hold them, read to them, keep the lights low.
- Sit them upright rather than laying them flat, and prop them up at night.
- Offer plenty of drinks in small amounts.
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen at the dose on the packet if your child has a temperature or is uncomfortable. Use one at a time.
- Sleep nearby for the first couple of nights so you can hear them and respond quickly.
- Do not smoke anywhere in the home. Smoke irritates an already inflamed airway.
Steam is no longer recommended. Sitting a child in a steamy bathroom was advised for many years, but studies have not shown it to help, and children have been badly scalded by hot water and kettles while it was being tried. Taking a child outside into cold air has not been shown to work either. Calm, upright and comforted is the approach that has evidence behind it.
Treatment
Most children with croup are given a single dose of an oral steroid such as dexamethasone. It reduces the swelling in the airway, starts working within a few hours, and lasts a day or two — which is why one dose is usually all that is needed. If your child has been given it, you do not need to repeat it.
Antibiotics do not help, because croup is caused by a virus. Cough medicines and decongestants do not help either and are not suitable for young children.
A small number of children need to be observed in hospital, or given an inhaled treatment through a mask, if the airway swelling is more marked. That is a precaution rather than a crisis.
Expect it to come back for a couple of nights. A child who was well all day can wake barking again at 2am. That pattern is typical of croup and does not mean the treatment failed. What matters is how they are breathing between coughing bouts — settled and quiet at rest is reassuring; noisy at rest is not.
Book an appointment with us if
- the barking cough lasts more than about a week, or keeps returning over several weeks;
- your child has a high temperature that is not settling, or seems increasingly unwell;
- your child is under six months old and has croup symptoms;
- you would like your child examined, or want to talk through what to do next time.
We see children 7 days a week, usually the same day.
Paediatrics services we offer
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From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.
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Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
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A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private paediatrician for croup in London
At our private paediatrics clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private paediatrician or croup doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant paediatrician will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about croup.
Local, private, fast
A private paediatrics clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private croup appointment with a paediatrician, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private paediatrics clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and paediatrics under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private paediatrician for croup — the same day.
Book a private croup assessment in East London: same-day appointments, paediatrician-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Croup in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private croup specialist near me in East London?
Our private paediatrics clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private paediatrician or croup doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private paediatrician for croup the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a paediatrician or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private croup appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the croup assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private paediatrician for croup?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a paediatrician, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private croup care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.