Asthma

Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms and make it hard to breathe. Work with your doctor to learn how to avoid your asthma triggers. Common triggers include:

• Exercise: Ask your doctor if you should take quick-relief asthma medicine before you exercise. Try a slow warm-up first. Avoid exercise on days with poor air quality.
• Colds/Viruses: Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your eyes and nose. Get a flu shot each year.
• Allergies: For many people, asthma is triggered by an allergy to dust or dust mites, pollen, mold, foods, and animals. To cut down on dust mites, wash bedding, including mattress covers, each week in hot water. Bathe pets once a week and keep them out of the bedroom and off fabric-covered furniture.
• Irritants: These might include cigarette smoke, perfumes, air pollution, and aerosol sprays. Don’t smoke; ask family and friends not to smoke in your home or car, and ask them not to wear perfumes and products with heavy scents.
• Weather: On cold days, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf. Check weather reports for high pollen counts and stay inside on those days.

Most children who get asthma show symptoms before they are 5 years old.  Asthma can be more serious in children because their airways are smaller than adults.  Sometimes children can outgrow their asthma, but for others it is a lifelong condition.

Common asthma signs and symptoms in children include: 

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Trouble breathing

Asthma symptoms or flare-ups are most commonly caused by allergies.
Common triggers include:

• Dust mites
• Dander from dogs or cats
• Pollen and other allergens in the air
• Cold air
• Exercise

Children benefit from being able to manage their own asthma and make healthy choices as soon as they are ready. Talk to your child’s doctor and your child about having an action plan.  Give a copy of the action plan to those who spend time with your child such as teachers.  Make sure they know what to do during an asthma attack.