Could My Child Have Asthma?

• Children can develop asthma in the first year of life.
  
  
• A child is more likely to develop asthma if 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, shortness of breath, chest tightness 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 children of this age. This makes asthma hard to diagnose.
  
  
• Asthma is mainly diagnosed based on your child’s history and your family’s medical history.
  
  
• Asthma medicines may be tried to see if your child’s breathing improves.
  
  
• If you think your child has asthma, speak to your doctor.
  
  
• An asthma specialist can help make the diagnosis.
  
  

What should I do if my child is diagnosed with asthma?

• Learn as much as you can about asthma.
  
  
• Identify triggers and avoid them when possible.
  
  
• Know your child’s asthma medicines and how to use them correctly.
  
  
• Work with your doctor to help control asthma.
  
  
• Have a written Asthma Action Plan from your doctor. As soon as you notice problems, check your plan for any changes in treatment
  
  

What Might Trigger My Child's Asthma?

• A trigger is anything that makes asthma worse.
  
  
• The most common asthma trigger for children under 3 years of age is a cold.
  
  
• 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 can be asthma triggers.
  
  
• Allergies to pets, house dust mites and mold become a problem more often in children after 2 years of age.
  
  

How will I know that my child’s asthma is getting worse?

• Watch for early warning signs of worsening asthma such as:
  
  
  • Getting a cold
    
    
  • Coughing or wheezing at night
    
    
  • Coughing or wheezing with activity, laughing or crying
    
    
  • Needing reliever medicine (blue inhaler) more than once a day for symptoms
    
    
• Early warning signs let you know that the inside of your child’s airways is starting to become swollen.
  
  
• When you see any early warning signs, follow your Asthma Action Plan.