Early Childhood Asthma

Contact Us

Children with Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a common disease of the lungs.
Asthma affects the airways in the lungs. People with asthma have airways that are extra sensitive to different things in the environment such as cigarette smoke, dust mites and mold. When asthma sufferers come in contact with these types of triggers, their airways become inflamed and swollen.
Asthma is a chronic disease. Asthma is a lifelong condition that can cause permanent damage if it is not treated properly. It is not contagious but if often hereditary.
Asthma is a growing problem. About 23 million people, including 7 million children, have asthma. About 1 of every 10 school-age child has asthma.

Five Ways to keep asthma under control.

See a health care provider on a regular basis.
Have an asthma management plan.
Keep up-to-date prescription medications available.
Avoid asthma triggers.
Know who to call when rescue medications do not work and asthma becomes an emergency.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can vary slightly from person to person, but the most common signs of asthma include:

Nighttime coughing
Nighttime awakening
Wheezing
Shortness of Breath
History of allergy problems

Eighty percent of children with asthma develop symptoms before age 5. Certain substances and conditions can cause asthma symptoms to occur or worsen, including:

Exercise
Smoke
Animals
Weather changes
Airborne chemicals and dust
Mold and pollen
House dust mites
Viral infections

When is asthma an emergency?

If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, have him take his quick-relief medication and call your doctor or seek immediate medical help.

Breathing very quickly or hunched over
Severe wheezing
Nostrils opening wider with each breath
Having difficulty walking, talking or eating
Skin between the ribs is pulled tight

If your child's lips, skin or fingernails turn blue or if quick relief medication isn't working after 20 or 30 minutes, call 9-1-1!

Triggers

Environmental conditions that cause asthma symptoms are called triggers. Triggers irritate the lining of the airways, which can lead to an asthma attack. Triggers include:

Tobacco Smoke- is one of the most common asthma triggers
Animal dander- flakes of sin and dried saliva from animals with fur of feathers
Cockroaches and rodents- droppings and body parts of cockroaches and rodents can trigger asthma
Pollen and outdoor mold-try to keep windows closed during allergy season, especially in the spring and fall.
Indoor Mold-can trigger asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing.

Keeping Indoor Air Clean

Clean indoor air is key in controlling your child's asthma.

Living Room

Dust furniture and blinds 2-3 times a week.
Vacuum cloth-covered furniture, blinds and floors 2-3 times a week.
Remove all clutter from the area.
Maintain low indoor air humidity (30% - 50%)

Bedroom

Dust furniture and blinds 2-3 times a week.
Vacuum 2-3 times a week.
Wash curtains, bedding and pillows in hot water (130 degrees F) once a week.
Do not use scented air or fabric fresheners in the room.

Bathroom

Do not carpet the bathroom floor.
Hang wet towels to dry.
Ventilate room after using the shower.
Wash fabric shower curtain in hot water (130 degrees F) once a week.
Clean vinyl shower curtain with a 10% bleach solution weekly.

Kitchen

Clean counters and dishes immediately after use.
Empty trash every day.
Limit clutter under the sink, fix leaky faucets and wipe the area clean monthly to discourage pests and mold.
Mop or vacuum floor regularly.

Basement/Utility Room

Store chemicals away from living areas, preferably in a detached garage or shed.
Dispose of unused pesticides and cleaning, hobby and personal care products in a responsible manner.
Keep foundation walls and floors clean.
Make sure window frames are properly sealed.
Ensure all fuel-burning appliances are properly installed, used and maintained.
Have furnaces and heat pumps inspected and cleaned annually.
Ventilate rooms where fuel-burning appliances are used.
Use appliances that vent to the outside whenever possible.
Make sure clothes dryer is vented to the outside of the house.

10 Steps to an asthma-friendly home

1. Take it outside. Until you can quit, smoke outside, not in your home or car.

2. Fight the mites. For mite population control, cover mattresses and pillows with dust proof zippered covers, and wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.

3. Play it safe. Watch for the Air Quality Index (AQI) during your local weather report.
When the AQI reports unhealthy levels, limit outdoor activities.

4. A little goes a long way. Reduce everyday dust build-up by regularly dusting with a damp cloth and vacuuming carpet and fabric covered furniture.

5. Stake your claim. Household pets can trigger asthma with skin flakes, urine and saliva. Keep pets outdoors, if possible.

6. Don't invite unwelcome guests. Don't invite cockroaches and other rodents into your home by leaving food or garbage out.

7. Think before you spray. Instead of pesticide sprays, control pests by using baits or traps. If sprays are necessary, always circulate fresh air into the room being treated and keep asthma sufferers out of that room for several hours after any spraying.

8. Break the mold. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold. Moldy areas should be cleaned with a 10 percent bleach solution.

9. Air it out. Reducing moisture will control asthma triggers like mold, cockroaches and dust mites. Use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking and showering. Fix leaky plumbing or other unwanted sources of water.

10. Plan before the attack. Work with your doctor or health care provider to develop a written asthma management plan for your child that includes information on your child's triggers and how to manage them.

Click on the icon to be directed to the Early Childhood Asthma Initiative's website.

If your family is in need of consultation related to Asthma call Patty or Rozie at 573-736-2217 ext 247.

Click for Fact Sheets & Printables

Sources for this page:

Creating a Healthy Environment for Children with Asthma-A guide for parents and caregivers.

Center for Environmental Analysis-Southeast Missouri State University

Missouri Asthma Prevention and Control Program- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Last updated: April 22, 2011 9:39 AM