Asthma and Young Children

Could Your Child Have Asthma?

• Children can develop asthma in the first year of life.
• Asthma is more common in childrenwhose parents or other children in the family have asthma, allergies or an allergic skin problem such as eczema.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke in early life causes more asthma, allergies and colds.
• Symptoms such as cough, trouble breathing or wheezing may be asthma. These symptoms may occur with colds or chest infections. 
• Colds that do not seem to go away, may be asthma.

How Is Asthma Diagnosed?

• There is no good test for asthma in young children. This makes asthma hard to diagnose.
• Asthma is mainly diagnosed based on your child’s history, pattern of symptoms, and your family’s medical history. 
• Asthma medicines may be given for a trial period to see if your child’s breathing improves. 

If Your Child Has Asthma:

• Identify your child’s triggers and avoid them when possible.
• Know about your child’s asthma medicines and how to give them correctly.
• Regular visits with your doctor are  important to help you control the asthma.
• Have your doctor complete a written Asthma Action Plan. As soon as you notice asthma problems, check your plan for any changes in treatment.
• Use an asthma diary or journal to keep track of changes in your child’s asthma.
• Your doctor may refer you to an asthma specialist for further tests (eg. allergy tests).
• Learn as much as you can about asthma.  Ask about asthma education in your area. 

What Triggers Your Child's Asthma?

• A trigger is anything that makes asthma worse. 
• The most common asthma triggers for children under 3 years of age are colds and tobacco smoke.
• After a cold, asthma symptoms and swelling in the airways can last for several weeks.
• Children exposed to tobacco smoke have more colds.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke makes asthma worse in young children.
• Allergies to pets, house dust mites and mold become a problem more often in children over 2 years of age.

Signs of Worsening Asthma:

• Watch for early warning signs of worsening asthma such as:
• Getting a cold
• Coughing or wheezing during sleep or upon waking
• Coughing or wheezing with activity, laughing or crying
• Decreased energy level
• Needing Reliever medicine (blue inhaler) more than 3 times a week for symptoms

Early warning signs let you know that problems are starting.

When you see any early warning signs, follow your Asthma Action Plan.