If your child develops a cough or starts wheezing, they could be among the 10 percent of children in Europe to have developed asthma.
It is important as a parent to spot the signs of the condition and ensure that your child gets a quick diagnosis, takes their medication as prescribed and avoids things that can trigger an attack. All of these things may prevent your child from having a dangerous asthma attack.
One in five children who develop asthma have symptoms before the age of five and studies have shown that rates are lower among children living in rural areas than those in big towns and cities.
It is important to ensure that, if your child is diagnosed with asthma, you keep their environment as clean as possible, as dust can irritate the airways and trigger an attack.
If you smoke, this may be a good enough reason for you quit. Cigarette smoke acts as an irritant so it is important to keep the home smoke free. You may want to think about the exposure to cigarette smoke at places where your child spends time. Even smoking near doors and windows can set off your child’s asthma.
Taking medication regularly may seem an obvious thing, but your child may not remember or want to use their inhaler in front of other children. It is important to keep an eye on how regularly your child is using their inhaler.
Recognising the things that act as triggers for your child’s conditions is important as this will help them avoid the things that could set off an attack. Some over the counter medications can cause attacks, including ibuprofen, so make sure you read the information on every drug you buy before giving them to your child.
If your child does suffer an asthma attack it is important that you stay calm as they may start to panic. Cuddling a child who is having an attack is never a good idea as they need space to breathe.
If your child is diagnosed with asthma, it is a good idea to get as much information on the condition as possible. This way you will be in the best position to help your child deal with their asthma and avoid any serious attacks.
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