Asthma is a prevalent chronic lung condition affecting about 1 in 12 children in the United States. In kids, asthma can cause bothersome symptoms that can interfere with their play, sports, sleep, and school – to say the least – and can cause dangerous asthma attacks.
**Call 911 immediately if you notice that your child is having an asthma attack and the inhaler is not providing them sufficient relief **
Asthma symptoms or attacks occur when your child is exposed to asthma trigger. This means one way to manage your child’s asthma is to identify and avoid the trigger.
Let’s talk about some common childhood asthma triggers, how to avoid them, and where you can go for outstanding asthma treatment in Purchase, NY.
Common Childhood Asthma Triggers
The trigger for your child’s asthma could be anything harmless to other people but can cause asthma flare-ups in your kids.
Below are some of the common triggers of asthma in kids.
Outdoor Air Pollution
Outdoor air pollution from factories, cars, and wildfires (smoke from burning wood or other plants that is a mix of harmful gases and small particles) can trigger childhood asthma.
If your child breathes in too much outdoor air pollutants like smoke, they may likely experience an asthma flare-up.
It’s a good idea to pay attention to the air quality before taking your child outdoors.
Viral Infections
Respiratory infections caused by viruses are also one of the most common triggers for asthma flare-ups.Viruses such as rhinovirus (which cause the common cold) are the most frequent cause of asthma in kids.
Other viruses that could trigger your child’s asthma flare-up include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and para influenza. Such viruses often make it difficult to manage symptoms, requiring hospitalization.
Get your child flu shots to protect them from influenza – and see a pediatrician if your child hasa viral infection and frequently use an inhaler.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Extreme weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold and very dry air or very humid air can also trigger asthma in kids. So, it’s best to keep an eye on the weather forecast and limit your child’s outdoor activities in extreme weather conditions.
Furthermore, if the cold is the asthma trigger forthe child, keep their nose and mouth covered with a scarf. On the other hand, if a humid or hot environment is the problem, keep your child in an air-conditioned room.
It’s important to mention here that heavy rain and windy conditions can also trigger a flare-up because rain increases the production of pollens while windy conditions stir up pollens and molds.
Allergens
One of the most common triggers of asthma is allergens. Dust mites, molds, pollens, cockroaches, feathers (tiny flakes of dead skin), dander, saliva, or urine of animals are common triggers of asthma.
While avoiding allergens is almost impossible, you can minimize them by regularly cleaning your home, especially rooms where your child sleeps and plays.
Asthma in Kids Treatment in Purchase, NY
Seeing a pediatrician is best to avoid asthma triggers. A pediatrician can provide the right asthma treatment so your child can live a normal life.
At Westchester Park Pediatrics, we have a team of board-certified pediatricians (two of our pediatricians are fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics) who are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive pediatric care for a full range of health issues your child may face, ranging from acute illness to asthma to lifelong conditions.
Schedule a consultation with one of our pediatricians today by calling us at (914) 761-1717, or click here to fill out our new patient appointment request form.
