Caring for Asthma at Home

Asthma & the Flu

Because children with asthma have sensitive airways, the flu can cause further inflammation and bring on an asthma attack.

Common Asthma Triggers

Triggers are often harmless to most people, but certain substances, weather conditions or activities, can make life difficult for a child with asthma. Though they do not cause asthma, triggers can lead to symptoms and flare-ups.

A big part of asthma care is learning to manage asthma and keep it in control. This means reducing asthma symptoms and preventing asthma attacks. Managing a child’s asthma at home will help prevent complications.

Asthma that is not well-controlled can lead to:

More frequent asthma signs and symptoms that can lead to an asthma attack
Increased trips to the emergency room
More hospital stays
More missed school days
Problems exercising or participating in sports
More frequent use of oral steroids
A severe asthma attack that can result in a life-threatening event

Reducing Asthma Triggers

Asthma triggers are things that cause an asthma attack or make it worse. Triggers are different for everyone, and can include, but are not limited to:

Pets
Mold
Smoking
Strong odors or irritants like hair spray and perfume
Dust and dust mites
Air pollution

It isn't possible to avoid all triggers, but they can be minimized in the home. Focus on the rooms where children sleep and play. Keeping these areas clean will reduce the risk of triggers affecting the child.

For a full list of triggers and ways to reduce them in the home, visit our Patient & Family Health education Library and read Reducing Asthma Triggers Handout.

Work With the Care Team

One of the best ways to keep children with asthma healthy is to work closely with their care team. The care team will discuss an asthma treatment plan for each child and the plan will be provided to the family in an Asthma Action Plan.

The Asthma Action Plan and the following reminders will help keep asthma in control:

Filling prescriptions and taking medicines as ordered by the doctor.
Keeping all scheduled appointments.
Talk to the care team about the asthma medicines if the child is having difficulty taking them, if they are missing doses, if the medicines are not controlling the child’s asthma, or if there is a concern about possible side effects.
Calling the doctor when asthma symptoms don’t improve.
Keep a current copy of the child’s treatment plan on file at their school.

Helpful Tips for Check-up Appointments

Bring all medicines and spacers with to every visit.
Bring a copy of the Asthma Action Plan. This is the child’s treatment plan for asthma.
Be prepared to tell the doctor how many times quick-relief medicine was needed since the last visit.
Ask about any problems or concerns.
Write down any questions and bring them to the check-up.
Keep every appointment, even if the child is doing well!

Visit the Patient & Family Health Education Library for additional tips on managing asthma, including: