Asthma is a respiratory illness caused by inflammation of the airways. It can cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, particularly during exercise or exertion. Another illness or infection may exacerbate asthma symptoms in children, as can being around anything that irritates the airways (often allergens like pet dander, smoke, pollen, mold and dust). There are medications that can keep your child's allergy symptoms under control and stop an asthma attack, but you can also treat asthma by avoiding triggers.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that are inhaled regularly to keep airways healthy and open and reduce inflammation. Children need these medications daily to help control asthma symptoms and ward off an attack.
Inhaled Bronchodilators
A bronchodilator is a remedy that is also inhaled but isn't taken every day like a corticosteroid. A bronchodilator can help to immediately open swollen airways that close up and restrict breathing during an asthma attack. It's important to have the bronchodilator on hand at all times in case of an asthma emergency.
Recognize the Triggers
Find out what causes asthma symptoms to flare up in your child. Keep a log or a record of your child's asthma attacks, and jot down what he or she was doing just before the attack. Perhaps playing too hard, exercising in cold weather, being around pets or high levels of allergens and pollutants in the air are responsible for most of your child's asthma attacks.
Reduce Exposure to Triggers
Once you're able to recognize what causes your child's asthma symptoms, do your best to avoid them. Limit activity to the indoors when weather is cold or pollutants are high, or limit your child's exposure to animals. Keeping your child away from asthma irritants and triggers and staying on top of medications can help control asthma symptoms.
If Treatment Isn't Working
If your child still can't get relief from asthma symptoms and is using the emergency inhaler frequently, talk to your doctor about better ways to manage and treat the illness. Your child may need more or different medication to treat asthma.
