Can my child play sport? Will he be safe sleeping at a friend’s house? These are examples of Questions that might trouble your mind being a Parent to an asthmatic child.

It is natural for parents to worry about their child’s asthma but these parents can always keep in their minds that with sensible care an asthmatic child should be able to lead a normal life.

Once children have become frightened about their asthma then they may lose confidence and stop doing physical exercise or going to places where they have had asthma attacks in the past.

Try the following:
· Find out about your child's medication - what it does and when to use it

· Use the reliever medication only as it is needed - do not use it as a preventer

· Use medication through a spacer or aerochamber because (A) this lowers the chance of oral thrush from inhaled steroids and (B) it is an easier way for children to get maximum benefit from the reliever inhaler.



· Teach your child what their medication is for and how to use it correctly

· Encourage your child to breathe through their nose as much as possible

· Don't smoke around your children

· Encourage quiet activities such as reading or coloring when the child has mild asthma

· Avoid known or suspected allergens where possible and within reason

· Keep an asthma diary. Note when and where asthma symptoms occur, what activities were performed and what foods have been eaten in the few hours before the symptoms started. Also note symptoms and dosage of medication needed to bring the attack under control

· Remain calm when your child has an asthma attack

· Have an Asthma Management Plan prepared. This is what you and your child's course of action will be when an asthma attack begins

· Teach you child how to recognize their breathing difficulties and when medication is needed

· Encourage participation in sports. Swimming in particular seems to be beneficial unless the child is allergic to chlorine. Swimming in cold water is also known to trigger some children’s asthma symptoms so a heated pool may be necessary. A fit child copes better with asthma than one who has flabby muscles or who is over-weight

· Several small meals a day are often better than three large ones. If asthma is hovering in the background a large meal can trigger symptoms

· Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids, especially when asthma is present