Frankie Bridge rushes son Parker to A&E after croup attack

Frankie Bridge had to rush her seven-year-old son Parker to hospital after he began gasping for air while suffering a croup attack.

The Loose Women panelist shared her ordeal on Instagram informing her 1.3 million followers that he had been discharged after suffering his second attack in five months.

Reliving the event, she said: “It's just not something you ever get used to I think, seeing someone that you love gasping for air. It's just horrendous and there's nothing you can do. It's horrible feeling so helpless.”

"It's just mad how you can have one kid who has a cold and just has a cold and then you have another kid, the minute he has anything, it goes straight to his chest and has asthma. No one else in my family has asthma.”

Fortunately, Parker didn’t have to stay overnight after Frankie and husband, footballer Wayne Bridge, were labelled ‘croup pros’ by hospital staff following his previous visits to hospital with the condition.

Bridge was convinced that Parker would develop croup after she revealed that both of her sons had been suffering from ‘runny noses’ which are common symptoms of the condition.

As a precaution they kept him in their bed that night, Bridge said: “We knew it was going to come, and it did. So we ended up rushing him to A&E when he still couldn't breathe after a while .”

Read more: Frankie Bridge pleased that sons aren't aware that they're parents are famous

Croup is a childhood condition that makes it difficult to breathe, and causes a hoarse voice and barking cough. It affects the windpipe, airways to the lungs and the voice box.

Croup symptoms often come on after a few days and are often worse at night as Bridge revealed: “It always gets worse at night and does sometimes kick off again. It’s just so scary for him and for us and trying to keep us all calm.”

Bridge reassured followers of Parker’s wellbeing later that day by sharing a photo of Parker and her other son Carter, five, wearing matching pyjamas after a ‘productive day’.

She wrote: “Thanks so much for all your lovely messages about Parks. Seems so many of your little ones have been in the same boat more than once. We all seem to have the same trips and tricks.”

Read more: Frankie Bridge reveals more children aren't planned for her and husband Wayne

It's the second time in months Parker has had a croup attack, as Bridge revealed on social media in October that he was taken to hospital after struggling to breathe.

At the time, she shared a photo of her son sleeping on her as she detailed his distressing experience.

She wrote: "Was in A&E last night with this little guy, with yet another croup attack. Doesn't matter how many times it happens. To see someone gasping for air is always terrifying."

"Breaks my heart. But he's absolutely fine now, all just very sleepy."

She also posted a snap of younger son Carter, with the caption: "This guy however slept all night. Had no idea what happened. So has me up after three hours and is full of beans."

Back in November 2017, Bridge was left "scared half to death" after then four-year-old Parker was taken ill and rushed to hospital with croup.

Sharing a snap of herself cuddling Parker, the 'emotionally drained' star explained that she missed the ITV gala to look after her 'little man'.

Explaining their emotional rollercoaster, she posted an Instagram photo of Parker wrapped his arms around her.

She wrote: "The face of a proud emotionally drained Mum who’s [sic] child has been really poorly and scared her half to death and a child who is the prime example of how well and quickly they bounce back."