Understanding Asthma and Children

When it comes to asthma and children, the situation can be serious. Believe it or not, complications from asthma keep more kids home from school than any other chronic illness. It can get even worse when seasonal allergies are added to the mix. 

Spring Is Beautiful, But It’s Full of Allergens

Spring is a time of new beginnings and new life… but along with that new life comes plenty of allergens in the air. Anyone who suffers from allergies may end up with red eyes and sneezing due to pollen in the air. Kids and adults with asthma can have even more trouble with these allergens.

Put simply, asthma is a chronic condition that begins in the lungs. On top of that, allergy season, which may also affect one’s breathing, can exacerbate this trouble. Thanks to environmental triggers, asthma and children are an especially rough combination during allergy season. To learn more about allergies, read our blog about avoiding allergies in the spring season.

Recognizing Asthma

Here are a few of the basic signs that may indicate that a person is suffering from asthma:

• Trouble breathing
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Rapid heartbeat

If you suspect that your child has asthma, don’t delay. Take them to the pediatrician as soon as possible to find out for sure.

All Seasons Are Rough When It Comes to Asthma

Since it’s May, we began this blog post with a specific focus on springtime. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that every season has its own unique issues for asthma. Believe it or not, fall and winter are statistically the worst time for sufferers.

Asthma and children are an especially tough pairing during these months. According to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, schools often have more allergy and asthma triggers than your home.

Additionally, dead leaves can carry tons of toxins and allergens, which can trigger asthma attacks. For this reason, in our autumn safety blog post, we specifically advise against diving into piles of leaves.

Dealing with Asthma and Children

For many kids and adults, asthma is just a part of life. That said, it shouldn’t have to be a painful or debilitating part of life. In fact, there are several ways to control and limit asthma flair ups. These are simple changes of behavior that can make a lasting impact on anyone suffering from asthma.

Don’t Rub Your Eyes, Nose or Mouth

This is especially tough for kids, but it can really help to prevent the spread of germs and allergens. Teaching kids not to rub their eyes, nose or mouth can really help.

Wash Hands Frequently

We’ve written about the importance of washing your hands before. This is especially important when it comes to asthma and children. For best results, use non-fragranced basic soap. This limits the possibility of irritation from unknown chemicals or substances.

Exercise Regularly 

Strong lungs are healthy lungs. Regular, safe exercise can help to lower the risk of asthma flair-ups.

Pay Attention to Air Quality Index Reports

As part of the usual weather report, there is often an Air Quality Index report. These can tip you off to how the air is going to be outside. On days when the air quality is poor, people with asthma should plan to spend less time outside. Another helpful service from the weather center is the pollen forecast, which will indicate how much pollen is in the air. 

Above all, the best advice on how to deal with asthma and children is to speak with your doctor. Additionally, the American Lung Association has more on asthma in children.