How Do Allergies Trigger Asthma Attacks On Children

May 20, 2008

asthma attacksAsthma attacks can put an incredible fear into parents.  The worse part is that when the parents panic, the child also panics.  That is not a good combination for asthma attacks as panicking makes the attack even worse.  Parents often have a sense of hysteria when they witness a child’s asthma attack because they have not educated themselves about the disease.  A little understanding about asthma and its symptoms can calm even the most anxious of parents.

Part of the reason that asthma is so traumatic is because it is often not diagnosed until after the child has the first attack. Once diagnosed, however, there are many medications and treatments that can help an attack after it begins. Of course, most parents would say that they would rather the attack never happens. There are many ways that parents can help prevent asthma attacks in their children.

Once you realize that your child has asthma, start keeping a diary of what brings on the attacks. If you can find the things that trigger the breathing difficulties, you can try to avoid exposing your child to those triggers, thus keeping the asthma at bay. When you start to notice a pattern, talk to your child’s doctor about the things that you think are causing the problems.

For asthma sufferers, a clean environment is of great importance to keep the symptoms of the disease at bay.  Things such as rugs and stuffed animals are major culprits when it comes to triggering asthma symptoms.  While it is not always a plausible suggestion to get rid of these offending items, it is best to keep these items constantly clean.  Many stores sell products that help cut down on the amount of dust in one’s home. The buildup of dust is one of the most common triggers of asthma attacks. Therefore, a concerned parent will make every effort to keep the amount of dust to an absolute minimum.

For severe asthma difficulties, you may need to eliminate the pets in your home, or consider a pet that does not have fur. Fish and other aquatic animals are another good option for asthmatic children. There are certain breeds of dogs that are less likely to trigger asthma and allergies, such as poodles, so consider these options if your children enjoy having pets around.

Mold is a major trigger for asthma. Keeping your home free from mold by keeping the humidity low will help your child’s asthma. If you have a damp basement, try to keep your child out of the basement as much as possible. Absolutely do not allow anyone to smoke in your home.

Cleaning products can cause asthma symptoms to worsen, so consider cleaning when your child is at school or at a friend’s house. This includes vacuuming. Vacuuming your home can stir up dust and other allergens that cause asthma attacks. Avoid using cleaning products with strong odors. Consider installing allergen filters in your furnace and air conditioners to control allergens in the air.

There are two important things you can do to reduce the effects of asthma. The first thing to do is to keep your child’s environment as clean as you can.  This is a preventative measure designed to help your child have the least amount of attacks possible.  The second thing is to keep your child’s asthma medicine, such as their inhaler, readily available at all times.  This way, if your child begins to have an attack, the results can be minimal because their medicine can be administered immediately.