Kids with both a cold and asthma present a distinct challenge. The process of moving congestion out of the airways is two-fold. An asthma attack closes the only route congestion has to leave the body, so controlling that condition is the first priority. By managing the medication and triggers, you keep the airways open then you can work to alleviate congestion that forms with an upper respiratory infection. Once the airways are clear, the home care for a cold is the same as it would be for any child.
Step 1
Follow your pediatrician's asthma plan to monitor your child's airway. This may include using a rescue inhaler, nebulizer treatment or a peak flow meter. Keep treatments close by in case of a flare-up. Congestion can trigger an asthma attack.
Step 2
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids including water, juice or broth. Liquids will help to thin mucus and create productive coughs.
Step 3
Set up a cool-mist vaporizer. Place it in rooms that are free from triggers such as smoke or dust. Keep your child isolated in these areas.
Step 4
Tap your child's back to help move congestion that may settle. For infants and toddlers, sit them on your lap and lean them forward. For older children, stand behind them and have them bend forward at the waist.
Step 5
Give an over-the-counter decongestant approved by the pediatrician. Follow the dosage information on the label. Over-the-counter medications should only be given to older children. Do not give it to infants or toddlers unless the doctor prescribes it.
Tips and Warnings
- Call your pediatrician at the first sign of illness, or if there is a change in your child's breathing. Children with asthma should have vaccinations against flu and pneumonia once a year. Encourage your child to cough but stay close in case the action triggers an asthma flare-up.
- At the first sign of an asthma attack, call for help. The congestion may lead to a severe attack and quickly become an emergency.
Things You'll Need
- Fluids
- Cool mist vaporizer
- Decongestant
References
- Kids Health: Managing Asthma; Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cough; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; 2009
- University of Michigan Health System: Facts About Asthma
- "The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook"; Respiratory Tract Infections in Children; Mary T. Caserta, MD; 2007
