7 Tips for Managing Your Child’s Asthma

If your child has asthma, you know all too well how difficult the condition can make daily life for them. Playing and sleeping can be interrupted by bouts of coughing or shortness of breath. Plus, asthma is the leading cause of missed school days and trips to the emergency room. 

As a parent, you might be wondering what you can do to help your child manage their condition and ensure their growing lungs stay healthy.

At Sunny Hill Pediatrics, located in Frisco, Texas, Min Jung, MD, and our team offer comprehensive asthma care for your child. Part of that care includes education for parents. In this blog, we review seven ways you can help your child with their asthma.

1. Have an asthma action plan and stick to it

When your child has asthma, we help create a step-by-step plan to follow whenever your child has an asthma attack. This plan includes what medications to take, how to adjust medications as needed, how to avoid triggers, and when it’s time to come in and see us. 

Keep this plan available at all times and ensure other adults who see your child regularly, such as their school nurse or other caretakers, also have a copy. That ensures everyone is on the same page about how to care for your child during an asthma flare-up and when it’s time to see the doctor.

2. Ensure your child always takes their medication

Most kids with asthma need medication. Some medicines are taken daily to control swollen airways, while others only need to be administered during a flare-up. 

Our team can determine what kind of medication is right for your child, and we will give you instructions on how to administer it.

3. Know and avoid triggers

Triggers cause your child’s asthma to flare up. Common triggers include allergens, such as dust, mold, pet dander, or pollen. A cold or exposure to extreme weather changes can cause asthma symptoms. 

Once you’ve identified your child’s triggers, you can help them avoid them to mitigate the risk of an asthma attack.

4. Recognize signs of a flare-up

After you’ve witnessed your child having an asthma flare-up a few times, you’ll start to learn the signs. These early signs include shifts in mood or behavior or changes in breathing. Be proactive in preventing a full-on asthma attack by giving them any necessary medications or adjusting them as needed.

5. Schedule a yearly flu shot for your child

The flu can cause extra inflammation and irritation in your child’s lungs and airways. Therefore, it can exacerbate their asthma symptoms. Not only can it cause flare-ups of asthma symptoms, but the flu can also put your child at risk for more serious health conditions, such as pneumonia.

6. Check-in with their doctor regularly

Because children with asthma require medications and treatment plans, it’s important they see our team regularly.

7. Utilize an asthma diary

An asthma diary is a helpful tool for parents. It allows you to track their symptoms and recognize if an asthma flare-up is imminent. 

To learn more about managing your child’s asthma, feel free to contact our team with any questions. Call 469-530-9860 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment today.