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Is an allergy triggering your child’s asthma?

Allergic asthma means your child’s asthma is triggered by one or more allergens such as pollen, food, house dust mites, mould, or even pets and other animals. Whilst in most children these don’t cause any problem, in an allergic child their immune system identifies them as a ‘threat’ so they get an allergic reaction, in which asthma can be a symptom.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FIND OUT IF YOUR CHILD HAS ALLERGIC ASTHMA?

Children with asthma that is triggered by allergens may get additional symptoms even though they are taking their asthma medication. They may use their reliever inhaler more often and in serious cases can even be admitted to hospital. Sometimes it is only at certain times of year, such as when pollen counts are high.

Identifying your child’s specific allergic triggers and taking steps to reduce their exposure to them, can help reduce symptoms. Because many parents are unaware of the link between allergy and asthma it can often lead to a delay in finding the cause.

WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

Many children who have allergic asthma have chest and nasal symptoms that they do not connect directly to their asthma. Look out for possible triggers and when symptoms get worse such as around pets, after a thunderstorm, when the heating is turned off,  after taking medication, first thing in the morning or night?, in dusty places?

CHEST SYMPTOMS

  • Cough, but no temperature or illness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing/tight chest
  • Waking in the night with a cough

NASAL SYMPTOMS

  • Stuffy blocked nose
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose with clear fluid
  • Itchy eyes

80% of asthma sufferers say hay fever triggers their asthma symptoms.

John Doe

8 TIPS FOR PARENTS TO HELP THEIR CHILD’S ALLERGIC ASTHMA

  1. If hay fever is a problem, discover which pollen is your child’s personal trigger. Around 95% of people have hay fever that’s triggered by grass pollen. But pollen is also released by trees as early as February and by weeds as late as September. Some kids are allergic to more than one kind of pollen across the year. To work out which pollen note the days when your child’s symptoms are bad and use the pollen calendar below to see which pollen could be the trigger.
  2. Avoid going outside when pollen counts are high, when there are thunderstorms and when the weather is particularly hot. Lots of people find their hay fever is worse when there’s high pollution, especially when hot weather makes pollution worse. Pollution molecules stick to pollen grains, so they hang about in the air longer and are harder to get out of your airways. Thunderstorms can also cause your symptoms to flare up, because they smash pollen into tiny bits that go deeper into your lungs.
  3. Limit exposure to outdoor pollen and mould that enters the house by closing windows, showering and changing clothes as soon as children come inside at the end of the day, and by making sure bedding is dried in a dryer, not outside on a clothes line.
  4. Help clean out your child’s nose with a saline wash and put petroleum jelly round their nose to trap pollen before it gets into their lungs.
  5. Choose blankets and pillows made of synthetic materials. Because dust mites can survive in warm soapy water, wash linens weekly and other bedding, such as blankets, every 2 to 3 weeks in hot water, then put them through the hottest cycle of a clothes dryer. Pillows should be replaced every 2 or 3 years.
  6. Dust mites also abound in cuddly stuffed toys. When possible, replace soft, plush-covered toys with others that have smooth plastic bodies and washable clothes. If your child has a favourite soft toy from which she can’t be parted, wash it every other day or so in hot water and dry it at the highest setting. Or seal soft toys in plastic bags and put them in the freezer for at least 5 hours or overnight once a week. Dust mites cannot survive longer than 5 hours at freezing temperature; you can then rinse the toys in warm water and put them in the dryer to get rid of the dead mites.
  7. Keep bulky fabrics and dust-catching clutter out of your child’s room. Better to have wooden floors too rather than carpet. If you prefer rugs for comfort, use small cotton or synthetic throw rugs that can be washed weekly in hot water. Curtains should be easily washable.
  8. Avoid humidifiers and vaporisers. Dust mites need humidity to live, and humidification will only further help the mite population grow.
CHECK THIS POLLEN CALENDAR!

No matter how careful you may be, you can’t protect a child from all allergens especially as children still get exposed at school and at playmates’ homes.

SO TAKE THESE 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO CUT YOUR CHILD’S ASTHMA RISK:-

  1. Carry a reliever inhaler (usually blue) every day

Reliever inhalers quickly relax the muscles in the airways and ease symptoms on the spot – but only for a short period of time. For long term control, talk to your GP about your child using a preventer inhaler.

  1. Take your preventer inhaler as prescribed

Preventer inhalers reduce sensitivity and swelling in your childs’ airways, helping stop wheezing and coughing before they even start. Take consistently for best results. Montelukast tablets can also be taken alongside inhalers so ask your GP about these.

  1. Blitz hay fever symptoms with antihistamine treatment

There are lots of different medicine options and it’s a question of finding out which ones suit you. See Allergy UK’s hay fever treatments page for asthma nurses’ advice, or ask your pharmacist.

HERE’S A GREAT VIDEO SHOWING HOW TO USE A SPACER WITH A MASK FOR A BABY OR CHILD:-

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/facemask-child/

Allergy UK has factsheets on most allergic triggers as well as online tools to download. Or call the Allergy UK Helpline on 01322 619 898 for more information and guidance.

FOR CONFIDENCE IN MANAGING YOUR CHILD’S ASTHMA, CHILD MATTERS RUN FAMILY FIRST AID COURSES AT PUBLIC VENUES OR IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME TO COVER ANAPHYLAXIS, ASTHMA AND MANY CHILDHOOD CONDITIONS. SEE NEXT CLASS DATES OR CONTACT US.
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