General Asthma Information

If your child has ongoing breathing issues like cough and wheeze, it is important your child is seen by your doctor. Your child may need a blood test, Chest X-ray and if over 5 years, a breathing test. They may be started on asthma medication and follow up will be arranged to see response to treatment.

Your doctor will ask you some questions including when do your child’s symptoms occur, your child’s medical and family history as well as conducting a physical examination.

If your child is 5 years or over, they may be asked to do a breathing test and some blood tests can also be taken. If your child is under 5 years they may be started on asthma medication and monitor response to treatment.

What happens in a breathing test?

Many things can trigger asthma symptoms in children. Common triggers include:

• Colds and flu
• Changes in the weather (for example, very cold air)
• Pollen, dust, animal fur or dander, and mould
• Exercise
• Vaping or smoking, and breathing in second-hand smoke

Other things that can also trigger asthma are:

• Air pollution
• Some medicines
• Strong smells from cleaning products or sprays
• Strong emotions, such as excitement, stress, or crying

Know your triggers

Even if your child’s asthma is better you should make a follow up appointment with your doctor to make any changes to prevent another asthma attack and update your asthma action plan.

If your child gets a cold and develops symptoms of wheeze, cough and /or shortness of breath give your child the reliever inhaler as per the orange zone of their asthma action plan. You will also continue their controller inhaler daily as prescribed, until their symptoms improve.

If your child’s asthma symptoms are worsening then seek review by your GP or healthcare professional.

While many children can grow out of asthma, there are no guarantee your child will. Occasionally their asthma may reoccur in adulthood. There is no accurate way of predicting who will and who won’t outgrow their asthma but several factors make it less likely such as:

• Children who have severe asthma and frequent hospital admissions.
• Other allergic disorders like eczema, food allergy or hay fever
• A family history (in a parent or sibling) of allergic disease