Managing Your Child's Asthma

Partnering and working closely with your child's pediatrician is the best way to manage your child's asthma. Together you can identify triggers and develop a treatment plan that will work for your child.

A great way to make sure your child’s doctor is up-to-date on your child's asthma symptoms and overall health is by scheduling "asthma only" visits.

Asthma Only Visits

You should schedule at least two asthma-focused visits for your child every year. Before these visits, keep track of the following:

• Your child’s triggers and any new triggers since the last visit.
• What asthma symptoms your child gets and how often.
• If asthma is affecting your child’s sleep.
• If asthma is affecting your child’s participation in any activities or events.
• What medications your child uses.
• How often your child uses rescue medications.
• How often you refill controller and rescue medications.
• Your child’s best Peak Flow reading (if he or she uses a Peak Flow meter).

Based on new information, you child’s Asthma Action Plan may need to be updated.

Asthma Action Plan

Everyone with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan.  These plans have several benefits:

• They remind you and your child what triggers to avoid, which medicines to take and when to take them.
• They enable you to help your child control asthma symptoms, and tell you what to do when your child has a bad asthma day.
• They are useful for teaching family members, caregivers, teachers, coaches and others how to help your child during an asthma flare-up.

Make a list of your child’s asthma symptoms and if your child uses a Peak Flow meter, note your child’s best Peak Flow reading.

Use this information to work with your child’s doctor to develop the Asthma Action Plan:

• Asthma Action Plan for Children Ages 5 and Younger
• Asthma Action Plan for Children Ages 6 and Older 

Your child’s pediatrician will identify your child's “asthma zones” and list the medications your child will need to take.

You can explain to your child that the Asthma Action Plan has three zones, just like a traffic light:

• Green means “Go.” Your child is breathing well and has no asthma symptoms. The Peak Flow reading is greater than 80 percent of your child's personal best.
• Yellow means “Caution.” Your child has some asthma symptoms. The Peak Flow is 50 percent to 80 percent of your child's personal best.
• Red means “Stop/Danger.” Your child's asthma symptoms are bad. Your child has difficulty breathing. The Peak Flow reading is less than 50 percent of your child's personal best.

If your child is ever in the red zone, you need to get them help immediately. Be sure you know who to call and where to get help in an emergency.

Setting Goals for Your Child

Remember, your child's asthma is always present – it will not go away or get better as your child grows up. Making asthma management part of your child’s daily routine is an easy way to help him or her remember what to do to keep asthma under control.

Goals for your child to strive for should include:

• To be free from asthma symptoms, day and night.
• Have the best possible lung function.
• Have few side effects from asthma medication.
• Be able to fully participate in activities and sports.
• Not miss school because of asthma symptoms.
• Not need Emergency Department visits or hospitalizations for asthma.

 You can help your child reach these goals by:

• Understanding asthma and what causes it.
• Learning your child's triggers and how to control them.
• Keeping track of your child's asthma symptoms and how they affect your child's activity.
• Ensuring your child knows how to take medication correctly and how the medication works.
• Keeping your child's Asthma Action Plan up to date and following it.
• Sharing your child's Asthma Action Plan with others.

Keeping your healthcare provider informed of how your child is doing.