How to Help a Child With Asthma

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Parents and other childcare workers are not always sure how they can help children with asthma. There is a lot of information out there and you can become confused quickly when trying to sort through all of the resources. This article is a guide on how to help a child with asthma.

Steps

Using an Asthma Action Plan

1. Track your child's asthma symptoms on a chart. You should keep tabs on your child's symptoms such as coughing and wheezing and how often they occur.
   • You should also note times when symptoms interrupt school, playtime and sleep. Knowing how often your child uses a rescue inhaler is also beneficial.
2. Record peak flow readings on your chart every day if your child is old enough to use a peak flow meter. You can correlate these measurements with symptoms you have noticed.
   • These readings can also tell you if the condition is getting worse. Contact your child's doctor if there seems to be a problem.
3. Use tools such as charts and questionnaires to judge how well your child's asthma is controlled. This information can tell you when it might be time to adjust your child's medications.
4. Avoid asthma triggers. Using your tools, you can identify many of your child's triggers such as dust, mold or pet dander and help your child avoid them.
   • Simple things such as vacuuming and dusting while your child is not home, or replacing regular pillow covers with hypoallergenic covers can help alleviate triggers.
5. Know the symptoms of a full-blown attack in your child and treat it using the correct short-term medications. You can determine what caused the attack later.
6. Recognize the symptoms of an asthma emergency. Your child might have trouble talking, use abdominal muscles to breathe or have extremely low peak flow readings.
   • If your child is exhibiting any of the above symptoms you need to call your area's emergency medical personnel.
7. Give a copy of the asthma action plan to other caregivers including teachers, school nurses and babysitters. Make sure all of the caregivers know how to give your child his or her medicine.
   • Check your child's school for its policy on asthma medications. In some schools the child is allowed to carry his or her inhaler, but in others the child must leave the medications with the school nurse.
8. Discuss any questions or concerns with your child's doctor. If you are just starting to formulate an asthma plan, ask for the doctor's help and input while putting it together.

Related wikiHows

• How to Become an Asthma Educator

Sources and Citations

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/HQ00273

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