Asthma is a common long-term condition that can be well controlled in most
children. The severity of asthma symptoms varies between children, from very
mild to more severe. Asthma has multiple causes and it is not uncommon for
two or more different causes to be present in one child. Asthma is more than
wheezing. Coughing, recurrent bronchitis and shortness of breath, especially
when exercising, are also ways that asthma appears.
The two most common triggers of asthma in children are colds and allergies.
After infancy allergies become particularly important and avoiding the allergens
to which your child is allergic may help improve their asthma.
Make sure you know how to use your child’s inhaler properly by attending the
yearly review with your GP practice. This can help prevent worsening or
potential asthma attacks. A sudden, severe onset of symptoms is known as an
asthma attack, it can be life-threatening and may require immediate hospital
treatment, please seek immediate medical attention.
Parents should avoid smoking indoors or near to their children.
GP says
Your GP will normally be able to
diagnose asthma by asking about
your child’s symptoms, examining
their chest and listening to their
breathing.
Parents should regularly attend their
local Asthma Clinic and get regular
support on better management of
their child’s asthma at home. This will
save unnecessary trips to hospital.
All children with asthma who require
continuous or repeated use of a
steroid preventer inhaler or oral
steroid are offered the seasonal flu
vaccine. In addition, any child who
has been admitted to hospital with a
lower respiratory tract infection
should also be offered the seasonal
flu vaccine.
The most important part of
managing asthma is for you
and your child to know about
asthma and what triggers an
attack.
GP Asthma Clinics offer advice
and treatment. Ask about the
seasonal flu vaccine.
Symptoms of severe asthma
Symptoms include repeated coughing and
wheezing, shortness of breath and bringing up
phlegm. Symptoms often get worse at night.
Call 999 to seek immediate medical
assistance if your child has severe
symptoms of asthma.
