You take thousands of breaths every day — in, out without thinking about it. Unless you have asthma. Asthma symptoms in children can range from mild wheezing to serious shortness of breath to attacks that can be life-threatening. It can mean worrying about triggers, missed school and sitting out from sports.
OK, take a deep breath! Asthma can be frightening but there are ways to treat asthma and to avoid triggers that make it worse:
Often starting during childhood, frequently before age 5, asthma is the most common childhood chronic disease and is a lifelong condition. Asthma attacks happen when the tiny muscles around the airways constrict, which makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs. They become inflamed or swollen, which can increase mucus, which in turn blocks even more of the flow of air. Not a good cycle.
Kids and asthma: symptoms, dangers
Asthma flare-ups, or attacks, can come on gradually or suddenly, but there are often some warning signs or buildup before attacks. Some kids may not have any symptoms at all between attacks, but others have mild to moderate symptoms a lot of the time between flare-ups.
You might hear your child coughing while they sleep or see labored breathing when they exercise or play. Or your child might say they are always coughing, or their chest feels funny. Pay attention to breathing symptoms before it becomes an emergency. Note any triggers or patterns and talk with your provider about a diagnosis.
When to get emergency treatment. If you child has these symptoms, get emergency medical help right away: severe coughing, serious breathing problems, you see their chest, abdomen, or sides pulling in when they try to breathe, they have widened nostrils, or are turning very pale or blue in the face, lips and/or fingernails.
Flare-ups are often triggered by irritants or allergens, including mold, cigarette smoke and unhealthy indoor conditions like dampness and carpeting. Asthma can be made worse or brought on by respiratory illness like the flu, COVID or RSV. Whether your child has asthma symptoms or not, it’s important to get them vaccinated for influenza and COVID at the beginning of the winter season for the best levels of protection.
This year, we’re already seeing higher rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, sometimes called “walking pneumonia,” especially among young children. While it can be a mild respiratory illness that appears like a chest cold, it can trigger serious complications including new or worsening asthma.
Kids and asthma: treatment, control
Asthma symptoms can be effectively controlled and avoided. If your child has asthma, consider all these treatment or factors:
- A prescribed “rescue inhaler” that relaxes those tiny muscles around the airways can be used during an acute attack. Your child should have the inhaler with them at all times – an inhaler can only rescue your child if they can get to it and use it.
- Control medicines are used regularly to reduce inflammation and prevent the airways from narrowing. Not all children need control medicines, but if they have severe asthma or frequent symptoms, regular treatment can help.
- Avoid triggers including cigarette smoke, mold, pollen and viral infections like the flu and COVID.
- Improve indoor air quality by cleaning bedding and carpets frequently, using an air filter and fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers to prevent mold.
- If you have pets, keep them out of your child’s bedroom, and if you suspect you have pests (hey, it happens) call pest control.
Public Health – Seattle & King County supports families with asthma care through the Community Asthma Program. Eligible residents can participate in sessions with a community health worker specializing in asthma care and get a home environment assessment with a tailored plan to reduce asthma triggers in the home.
Educating yourself and addressing some of the triggers can move your child’s asthma from serious or persistent asthma to “well-controlled” asthma. Well-controlled asthma means fewer missed days at school or play, fewer emergency room visits, and happier kids and more relaxed parents!
