Help! My Child Has Asthma

About five million kids and adolescents live with asthma, making it the most common chronic childhood illness in the United States. 

If your child was recently diagnosed with this serious inflammatory lung disease, you want to do everything you can to help them breathe easily and stay healthy. Our team at Fivestar Pulmonary Associates is here to help. 

In this month’s blog, our board-certified pulmonologists discuss six essential elements of effective pediatric asthma management so you can know what it takes to keep your child’s asthma well-controlled from the start.

1. Establish an asthma action plan

Successful asthma control begins with a personalized asthma action plan. Created in conjunction with your child’s doctor, this working document offers detailed guidance on: 

• Managing or avoiding asthma triggers
• How to take daily controller medication 
• Regular peak flow meter monitoring
• Signs of an impending asthma attack
• When to take quick-relief medication
• Steps to take in an asthma emergency 

Your child’s asthma action plan helps reduce the frequency of their asthma attacks and prevent severe, emergency exacerbations. This living document is reviewed and updated regularly as your child grows and their asthma changes. 

2. Identify and manage asthma triggers

Even before an official asthma diagnosis, many parents already have an idea about what might be triggering their child’s shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough — essentially, the activity, thing, or condition that irritates their lungs and obstructs their breathing. 

Common asthma triggers include:

• Respiratory illnesses (i.e., cold, influenza)
• Airborne allergens (i.e., pollen, dust mites)
• Environmental irritants (i.e., any smoke)
• Exercise, especially in cold or polluted air
• High humidity and extreme temperatures 
• Stress and intense emotions (i.e., anger, crying)

Identifying your child’s personal asthma triggers is key to managing them effectively. For example, if your child is allergic to dust mites, using HEPA air filters and keeping your home clean — especially their bedroom and bedding — can help control their asthma. 

3. Administer asthma meds as directed 

Your child’s asthma action plan provides clear instructions on how to administer their daily controller medications and when to use their quick-relief medication (inhaler) to calm and prevent an impending asthma attack. 

Ensuring your child takes their daily asthma medication as directed keeps their condition well-controlled. Likewise, keeping several rescue inhalers readily available at home and school ensures they have their fast-acting medication when they need it. If your child has trouble using an inhaler, adding a spacer can help.

4. Know how to respond to a symptom flare

Severe asthma attacks generally don’t occur without warning. Most kids experience early-onset symptoms, such as coughing, slight chest tightness, and abnormal fatigue, in the lead-up to a major asthma episode. Help your child learn to recognize these signs, and teach them to: 

• Stay calm when symptoms are emerging
• Use their rescue inhaler as directed 
• Know when to expect improved breathing
• Seek help if their symptoms worsen 

Without making your child fearful — anxiety about asthma can intensify an attack — stress the importance of always taking early warning signs seriously. Prompt action can mean the difference between taking a moment on the sidelines to recover or taking a trip to the ER.

5. Learn to recognize an asthma emergency

A primary goal of asthma management is to prevent emergency exacerbations, but sometimes, even the most conscientious kids find themselves in a perfect storm of asthma triggers, like playing outdoor sports when pollen counts are high and not having an inhaler on hand. 

Being able to recognize the signs of an asthma emergency is crucial for kids, parents, and caregivers. This includes constant wheezing, difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, and changes in nail or skin color — essentially, any asthma symptoms that return quickly, don’t improve at all, or worsen after repeated inhaler use. 

6. Inform caregivers and educate your child

Ensure that any adult entrusted to care for your child — from teachers and coaches to grandparents, babysitters, and daycare providers — knows about their asthma and how to help them during a symptom flare. 

Likewise, help your child understand their condition fully and empower them to take control of its management in an age-appropriate way. If they’re younger, you’ll be doing much of the heavy lifting for them, but you can turn every aspect of asthma care into teachable moments to boost their confidence as they grow. 

Ready to improve your child’s asthma management plan? We’re here to help. Fill out our asthma control test today, and then schedule a visit at Fivestar Pulmonary Associates in Allen, McKinney, or Plano, Texas, at your convenience.