Most children with asthma may have their symptoms managed; in some cases, they may be controlled so successfully that attacks are uncommon. Unfortunately, the most challenging aspect of asthma management is often education: learning how to manage the condition (when to take medications, avoid triggers, etc.). It would help if you didn’t give up hope. Talk to other people who have asthma, study more about it, and bring up any concerns you have with your child’s doctor. Dealing with asthma will become usual after you and your loved ones have adjusted to it. If you talk to a reputable doctor, such as Carrie Jones MD, and follow the following suggestions, you should be OK.
Creating asthma & allergy-friendly home
The first step to keeping your kid comfortable is to create asthma and allergy-friendly home. It means being vigilant about dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander, which can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.
Here are a few tips:
- Keep the house clean and clutter-free. It will help reduce dust buildup.
- Vacuum regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Dust surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Use an air purifier in your child’s bedroom.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom or off the bed and furniture.
Helping your child avoid asthma & allergy triggers
One of the crucial steps in asthma and allergy care is to try to avoid triggers altogether. Here are some tips:
- Keep your child away from secondhand smoke, a known trigger for asthma.
- If your child has pet allergies, don’t allow them to be around pets or animal fur.
- Please keep your child’s bedroom clean and dust-free by vacuuming regularly and using a dust mite cover on their mattress.
- If your child is allergic to pollen, have them wear a pollen mask when they go outside.
Keeping your child medicated & symptom-free
Assuming your child’s asthma and allergies are controlled with medication, you can still do things to help keep them symptom-free. First, try to avoid triggering asthma and allergy attacks. If you know your child is allergic to dust, make sure their bedroom is kept as dust-free as possible. The same goes for pollen, pet dander, and any other triggers.
Likewise, keep an eye on the weather. If a pollen count or air quality forecast looks like it might trigger your child’s asthma or allergies, take extra precautions. Keep them indoors as much as possible, run an air purifier in their room, and ensure they take their medication regularly.
Dealing with emergencies
If your child has a severe asthma attack or anaphylactic reaction, it is important to stay calm and follow the emergency plan you and your child’s doctor have put in place. If you have an inhaler, make sure to use it as directed. If your child has a severe asthma attack and is having trouble using their inhaler, you may need to help them. If your child has a severe allergic reaction, give them the appropriate dose of epinephrine and call 911 immediately.
Consulting with doctors & specialists
You should also consult your child’s doctor or asthma and allergy specialist about developing a care plan. This plan should include what triggers your child’s asthma and allergies, what to do when they have an asthma attack or an allergic reaction, and what medications they should take.
So, there are five tips for caring for kids with asthma and allergies. Consult a pediatric pulmonologist or allergist about allergy and lung function tests if your kid is experiencing difficulty with asthma or allergy symptoms.
