Asthma
Common asthmatic triggers
There are several triggers that can lead to an asthma attack. Some of the most common asthmatic triggers for children include:
- Allergens like pollen, mold, or pet dander
- Environmental irritants like smog and smoke
- Extreme excitement or anxiety
- Prolonged exercises
- Rapid weather changes or cold weather
- Respiratory illnesses
By paying attention to potential triggers during attacks, you can help manage your child’s condition by minimizing exposure to potential triggers in the future.
Treatment
Asthma treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms, how frequently your child experiences attacks, and your child’s age.
If your child is very young, they may require a nebulizer to help them breathe in their medication through a face mask.
For older children who have mild and infrequent asthma attacks, rescue inhalers or bronchodilators may be enough to manage their symptoms should they occur.
For more moderate to severe cases, our doctors may prescribe long-term preventative medication that your child will need to take daily in addition to rescue inhalers to keep their asthma under control.
Allergies
Some allergy symptoms may appear to be signs of an upset stomach, cold, or flu, making it difficult to diagnose at home. If you suspect your child has an allergy, schedule an appointment with our office to confirm a diagnosis.
We will conduct a thorough allergy test, including blood work and additional skin testing if necessary. In cases where further evaluation may be needed, we can refer your child to an allergist.
Possible signs of an allergic reaction include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty breathing
- Red eyes
- Runny nose
- Skin rashes or hives
- Sneezing
- Swollen face, lips, or tongue
- Upset stomach
- Watery eyes
Treatment
For some, careful management of allergen exposure can be enough to keep your child symptom-free. In other cases, medication may be prescribed to keep allergy symptoms under control.