Checklist for Childhood Asthma Control
Dr Nikki Twomey
Nobody wants to have to deal with respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath these days! If your child has asthma, ensuring good control will lessen these symptoms and reduce need for COVID swabs and absence from school and work, as well as providing protection against severe asthma attacks.
Asthma is a caused by inflammation and narrowing of the airways in response to various triggers such viral illnesses, exercise, emotions, changes in weather and environmental allergens like dust mites and tobacco smoke. Asthma can run in families and often occurs with other allergic conditions like eczema, hay fever or food allergies.
Good control of asthma is achievable.
Avoiding triggers where possible is a good start:
o Viral Illnesses – we all know about cough and sneeze etiquette, handwashing, physical distancing and masks – help prevent the spread of all viral illnesses, not just COVID
o Environmental allergens - avoid tobacco smoke exposure, minimise dust mite exposure (use dust mite resistant covers for pillows, regular washing of bedlinen
o Weather changes - be aware that these can triggers asthma
Your GP can help to recognise signs of poor asthma control and to improve symptom control as well as updating asthma treatment plans:
o Make regular check up appointments with your GP even if your child has been well.
o Keep a diary of your child’s asthma symptoms to show to your GP
o Keep an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan and understand how to use this plan
o Make sure you know what medications your child needs and when and how these should be given – do you know what the difference between a reliever and a preventor is?
o Bring your child’s asthma medicine delivery devices to every GP visit so that delivery techniques can be checked
o Make sure your child continues to take their asthma medication as prescribed
o Ensure immunisations are up to date including annual influenza vaccination (free for children under 5 years of age).
Signs of poor asthma control mean you should see your GP urgently for review, to prevent an acute asthma attack and to help them function normally. These signs include:
o Night time or early morning coughing or wheezing
o Your child is unable to participate in their usual activities without wheezing or coughing or becoming short of breath
o Needing to use their reliever puffer (usually salbutamol) more than 2 days per week
o Needing to use their reliever puffer every 3-4 hours
When should I call and ambulance? If your child:
o Needs their reliever more frequently than every 2 hours
o Is distressed or anxious
o Is sucking in at the throat and ribs when they breath
o Has a bluish tinge to the lips
o Or is unable to talk due to breathlessness
The GPs consulting at Neighbourhood Medical are happy to help you manage your child’s asthma symptoms and answer any questions you may have.
Dr Nikki Twomey and Dr Nicole White both have a special interest in paediatrics and bookings can be made online.
