1. Take it seriously, but don’t freak out. You can do this; get the support you need from family, friends, doctors, blogs, support groups and school or daycare staff. What ever you’re going through, someone else has gone through it too, and that person wants to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask, there are no stupid questions. You are not alone.

2. Create an asthma action plan, write it out and be sure to include:
• “Your child’s asthma triggers.
• Instructions for asthma medicines.
• What to do if your child has an asthma attack.
• When to call your doctor.
• Emergency telephone numbers.
Use this Asthma Action Plan at home, school, and with your babysitter. Be sure to give a copy of your child’s asthma plan to your child’s school (teacher, coach, nurse) and talk it over with them. In case of an attack, they will know what to do.

If you follow the steps in this plan, you will help prevent your child from having asthma attacks.”


3. Ask your doctor if a peak flow meter is recommended for your child and learn how to use it. When used properly it can help you decide, without guessing, if your child needs emergency intervention. This can give a worried parent real peace of mind. Visit the American Lung Association site for this valuable information.

4. Make sure your child has a “rescue” drug, possibly Albuterol, available 24/7.
My son carries an inhaler in his “sports” bag that he takes to all games and practices. He also has one in his backpack. You can carry one in your purse, have one at the school and make sure school personnel know how to use it. If you use daycare then have one there.
Bronchodilators are medicines that help to stop an asthma attack after it’s started and can also help to prevent an expected attack like when you’re playing a sport.

5. Your doctor may prescribe maintenance drugs for your child’s asthma to help prevent serious attacks requiring rescue. This can reduce the anxiety for the parent and the child about possible attacks and make life a little more normal. These maintenance drugs may include Anti-inflammatory medicines that work to keep your child’s air tubes open all the time so that an asthma attack doesn’t occur. This type of medicine reduces the swelling in your child’s air tubes and decreases the mucus. If the doctor believes that your child’s asthma attacks are brought on by allergies he may recommend a histamine or Leukotriene blocker or a nasal spray.

6. Find out what is triggering your child’s asthma attacks and attempt to eliminate or minimize the triggers from your home. If your child is allergic to cats or dogs, then don’t have them in your home. If dust is the trigger try using air purifiers, furnace filters, and filters on your vacuum, etc. If your cleaning products or personal hygiene products are the trigger then try using non-toxic, scent free, hypo allergenic, or natural products. If pollen is the trigger keep your windows closed when the count is high and use an air conditioner.

7. Are there any vitamins or supplements that your doctor recommends to boost your child’s immune system and help prevent attacks like vitamins C or E or magnesium supplements.

8. It’s ok to stay away from the houses of friends or relatives that severely trigger your child’s asthma. If Aunt Martha has ten cats and every time you visit her your child has a crisis you need to stop going to her house. Explain the problem and let them know that they will need to come to your house for future visits or make changes to their own home.

9. If your child’s school isn’t working with you, make them. Get documentation from your child’s doctor and schedule an appointment with school personnel to create an individual 504 plan for your child. Be prepared, be professional and be very firm about getting everything in writing that your child needs to prevent a crisis or deal with one. From staying in during recess on high pollen days to being able to run from class to the office for medication without permission if a crisis is imminent.

10. Don’t let yourself or child become consumed with self pity, or act handicapped. Remember that each one of us has challenges in life; some physical, some mental, some emotional, some environmental, some economic, some social. You get the drift. If you need counseling than seek it out and try to enjoy each day that God gives you.