For Parents of Children with Asthma

My Child has Asthma, Now What? 

If you care for a child with asthma or have recently been diagnosed with asthma, it is very important to learn more about asthma. We encourage you to engage with parties across all sections of life and those that care for and guide your child in their daily life. 

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects people of all ages, including young children. In fact, most children who have asthma develop symptoms before the age of five. However, at this age it can be very hard to diagnose which is why parents need to carefully monitor symptoms and work closely with their healthcare providers. Once a child becomes school age, management can become even more complex. But the school year can be a positive and healthy experience for your child when you have the right plans in place.  

Diagnosing Asthma in Young Children

Most children who have asthma develop their first symptoms before 5 years of age. However, asthma in young children can be hard to diagnose. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether a child has asthma or another childhood conditions such as respiratory virus like Respiratory Syncytial (RSV), Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Bronchitis or Pneumonia because the symptoms of these conditions can be similar.

Not all young children who have wheezing episodes when they get colds or respiratory infections develop asthma. The wheezing may happen when a child's already-small airways get inflamed or swollen by an illness. Because airways grow as a child ages, wheezing may no longer occur when an older child gets a cold.

A young child who frequently wheezes with colds or respiratory infections is more likely to have asthma if:

• a parent has asthma
• the child has signs of allergies, including the allergic skin condition eczema
• the child wheezes even when he or she doesn't have a cold or other infection

To help your pediatrician make a correct diagnosis, be prepared to provide information about your family history of the following: asthma or allergies, your child's overall behavior such as fatigue or decrease activity, trouble sleeping, or anxiousness, breathing patterns such as coughing at night or early morning, shortness of breath or fast breathing. and responses to certain food allergies or possible environmental allergy triggers such as mold, pollen, pets. Lung function tests—often used to make a definitive asthma diagnosis—are very hard to do with young children under the age of 6 years old. The doctor may use a four- to six-week trial of asthma medicines to see if they make a difference in your child's symptoms. Read more about how to make the most out of your child's asthma medical visits.

Learning Asthma Self-Management Skills

Children benefit from being empowered to manage their own asthma and make healthy choices as soon as they are developmentally ready. Talk to your pediatrician and your child about setting specific management goals and follow up on these each visit, since they should change as your child grows.

• The American Lung Association's Open Airways For Schools program is designed to teach children ages 8 to 11 years to manage their asthma and lead healthier, active lives.
• The American Lung Association's Kickin' Asthma program is designed for middle school to high school-aged children (11-16) build the skills to manage and control their asthma.
• Is your child ready to self-carry? People with asthma should have a quick-relief inhaler with them at all times in case they start to have trouble breathing. Use the Student Readiness Assessment Tool to help you see if your child is ready to self-carry and use their asthma inhaler.

Asthma and Teens

The rebelliousness and desire for independence that often accompany adolescence can create unique challenges for teens with asthma and their families. Children who have been responsibly managing their asthma for years may start to experience more frequent symptoms. This could be caused by hormonal changes, or by attitude (i.e. being tired of carrying their inhalers everywhere) and behavioral changes (i.e. forgetting or skipping medication). It is essential for parents to stay actively involved in their teen's life. Even as teens seek more independence, having a supportive presence ensures they continue to manage their asthma effectively and navigate this challenging stage with the right guidance. Support your teen by encouraging open conversations, helping them find role models who successfully manage their asthma, and letting them have an active role on their asthma action plan.

Smoking and secondhand smoke and vaping and secondhand aerosol can cause sudden and severe asthma flare-ups. If your child starts to smoke or vape or is spending time with individuals who smoke or vape, they are going to have a lot of trouble keeping their asthma under control. The overwhelming majority of adults who smoke began smoking before age 18, and many were addicted before they even finished high school.

Asthma at Home

Removing asthma triggers indoors improves air quality and reduces asthma symptoms in children and adults. Removing asthma triggers has been linked to several good outcomes including improved school attendance and decreased hospitalizations, emergency department visits and reduced frequency of quick-relief medication to relieve symptoms. Making sure the indoor environment is free from allergens and irritants will help keep children healthy at home.

• Clean Air at Home
• Reduce Asthma Triggers