Asthma Symptoms and Treatments in Children

Asthma in children can develop at any age but they are more likely to have diagnosable symptoms at around 6 years old. It is difficult to diagnose asthma in babies as it is hard for doctors to separate from other common conditions that have similar symptoms such as coughing or wheezing. In infants, the respiratory system has not developed to allow doctors achieve a proper diagnoses.

However, if you have a history of asthma in your family or if the child is at risk to allergens and is showing signs, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. Common infant diseases such as bronchitis, croup or a cold or fever can have similar symptoms and need to be ruled out.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can vary between children from frequent dry coughing to severe respiratory attacks. Common childhood asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Wheezing: A whistling type sound caused from the narrowing of airways can be a sign of asthma.
• Cough: frequent or infrequent dry coughing sometimes worse at night time or after exercise.
• Chest Pain: Pain in chest (young children) Chest tightness or congestion.
• Shortness of breath.

Emergency

If your child is displaying severe symptoms of an asthma attack( even if undiagnosed) such as difficulty breathing, increased heartbeat, chest pain or is breathing through abdominal muscles ( abdomen is sucked under rips in order to breath), seek immediate emergency care.

Treatments

Fortunately, asthma can be treated and in most cases children can carry out normal active lifestyles. Although there is no cure, the goal of treating asthma is to reduce the affects of symptoms and prevent attacks. This treatment is carried out by reliever medication. (Inhalers)

After a diagnosis of asthma in infants and children, an inhaler will be prescribed by doctors which must be kept with the children at all times. For young kids, a face mask attached to an inhaler is sometimes used, and for infants, a nebulizer is used. Depending on age, your doctor will work with you and your child to see which is the best device/medication is most appropriate.

Reliever inhalers

Reliever inhalers (mostly blue colour devices) are fast-acting relief medication that are used if there is a rapid onset of an asthma attack. They work in minutes and their effects can last for hours. (If your child needs their reliever inhaler more than twice a week it means that their asthma is not controlled and you should see your doctor.)

Long-term controller inhaler ( mostly corticosteroids)

Preventative long-term control is often used to treat asthma. In most cases they are used everyday to help reduce the inflammation of the airway over time. The child may be prescribed these (usually brown inhaler) if they have regular symptoms or need to use their fast acting inhaler (blue) more than twice a week.

Like with all medications, these drugs carry possible side effects and you should consult your GP about your prescription.

For more information, please see our guide on reducing asthma attacks in children.

For coping and support please see asthma.ie