What is asthma in children?

Asthma is a lung disease that makes it hard for your child to breathe. It causes the airways that lead to the lungs to swell and get inflamed.

Some children have breathing problems only at certain times, like during allergy season, or when they get a cold, or when they exercise. Others have breathing problems a lot of the time.

When asthma symptoms suddenly get worse (or flare up), the airways tighten and get narrower. These flare-ups are also called asthma attacks or exacerbations (say "ig-ZAS-ur-BAY-shuns").

Treatment can help your child feel and breathe better and help keep your child's lungs healthy. Many children with asthma play sports and live healthy, active lives.

What are the symptoms of asthma in children?

When your child has asthma, they may:

• Wheeze. This is a loud or soft whistling noise when breathing in and out.
• Cough a lot, or cough more at night. This is the only symptom for some children.
• Feel tightness in the chest, flare their nostrils, or have indrawing.
• Feel short of breath. Your child may have rapid, shallow breathing or trouble breathing. They may not be able to talk in full sentences because they are short of breath.
• Have trouble sleeping because of coughing and wheezing.
• Not participate in sports or may need to quit the activity sooner than their friends.

Your child may start having symptoms soon after being around things like pollen or cigarette smoke, vapour, or when they feel strong emotions. Or symptoms may start several hours later. It can make it harder to know what things cause your child's symptoms.

Symptoms of asthma can be mild or severe. Your child may have symptoms every day, just now and then, or somewhere in between.

Many children have symptoms that get worse at night. These include a cough and shortness of breath.

How can you help your child manage asthma?

There are things you can help your child do to manage asthma.

Taking asthma medicines as prescribed.

Make sure that your child:

• Takes controller medicine to treat inflammation every day, not just when your child has symptoms.
• Uses quick-relief medicine during an asthma flare-up. Rescue medicine is often in a blue inhaler.
• Knows that some inhalers can have more than one medicine. Your child should take medicine as explained in their Asthma Action Plan.
• Learns how to use inhalers the right way. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Finding ways to avoid triggers.

Help your child to:

• Avoid triggers like cigarette smoke, air pollution, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, cockroaches, and cold, dry air.
• Avoid infections such as COVID-19, colds, and influenza (flu). Remind your child to wash their hands often. Make sure your child gets the flu vaccine and stays up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.

Following an Asthma Action Plan.

This is a written plan that will help your child manage asthma every day and know what to do during an asthma attack. If your child doesn't have an Asthma Action Plan, work with your doctor to make one.