Childhood Asthma 101

About 9 million children in the United States have asthma, which is a chronic disease that affects the airways. Asthma causes the bronchial airways to become inflamed or swollen, making breathing harder.

How Do I Know if My Child Has Asthma?
Common symptoms include: coughing, wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing out, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing. Infants may also make grunting sounds when feeding or have difficulty sucking.

What Triggers Asthma?
Running or exercise, respiratory infections including colds, flu and bacterial infections, and exposure to allergens can all trigger asthma. Other triggers may include dust mites, exposure to insects, chemical smells, and secondhand smoke.

Create a Plan of Action
In order to manage your child’s asthma it is important to:
• Consult with your child’s physician about proper medication.
• Maintain a clean, healthy household. This includes vacuuming, maintaining a smoke- free environment, and regularly washing bedding and stuffed toys.
• Keep the kitchen clean and clutter free.
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Use roach baits or traps instead of sprays.

Asthma Emergencies
Although your child’s asthma may be under control, attacks sometimes occur. If your child has the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical help:
• Your child’s coloring changes, and he/she may have bluish or gray lips and fingernails.
• Your child can’t talk to you because of difficulty breathing.
• You can see the areas between your child’s ribs or at the base of the neck while breathing in.
• The rescue medications aren’t working after repeated use or the symptoms return after 5 or 10 minutes.

While asthma cannot be cured, you and your child can work with your child’s doctor to control the disease. To schedule an appointment with a physician at the Pulmonology and Allergy section at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, call (215) 427-5183.