Many parents have tried using steam to help relieve the symptoms of croup in their children.

However, recent research done in Toronto suggests that it's not likely that it helps.

Dr Dennis Scolnik lead a study at The Hospital For Sick Children on children up to 10 years old suffering with moderate to severe croup.

They found that steam had not positive effect in treating the croup.

However, he says, just treating the croup may have a psychosomatic benefit.

About 5 percent of Canadian children will get croup at least once.