What Are Signs of Asthma in Children?

Your pediatricians in Grayslake, IL, can help when your child has asthma

Asthma can be difficult to manage, especially if your child has asthma. Your pediatrician can help you develop an asthma action plan, so your child can live an active, healthy life with asthma. The pediatricians at Mundelein Pediatrics in Grayslake, IL, provide comprehensive medical services for children, including diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Asthma in Children

Your child’s airways are much smaller than those of an adult, which means your child’s symptoms may be more severe.

Infants and toddlers with asthma may show signs and symptoms like these:

• Taking longer to feed
• Breathing difficulties while feeding
• Frequent coughing, especially when your child is active
• Tiring quickly when active

Young children and teens may experience signs and symptoms like these when they have asthma:

• Frequent wheezing or coughing
• Episodes of shortness of breath
• Bronchitis which reoccurs frequently
• Tightness in the chest

Your child may have allergies, which can bring on an asthma attack, so the first step in asthma treatment is to have your child tested for allergies. Your child might be allergic to:

• Grasses and weeds
• Trees and plants
• Flower pollens
• Dust and dust mites
• Mold and spores
• Pet dander and fur
• Seafood
• Peanuts
• Dairy

Your pediatrician can test for these allergies, and prescribe medications to relieve allergy symptoms, which may relieve asthma symptoms too. Common allergy treatments include:

• Sublingual immunotherapy drops
• Allergy shots
• Prescription strength antihistamines and decongestants

Your pediatrician can also perform lung function and other tests to determine if your child has asthma. Professional treatment options for asthma include:

• Rescue inhalers for short-term relief
• Long-term asthma medications

You can also do a lot to modify your child’s environment to help prevent allergy and asthma symptoms. You should:

• Vacuum and dust frequently
• Use hypoallergenic sheets and linens
• Wash linens frequently
• Install an air purifier in your child’s bedroom
• Keep pets off furniture and out of your child’s bedroom
• Keep doors and windows closed when pollen counts are high

Contact Us Today

To find out more about the signs and symptoms of asthma in children and how your pediatrician can help, call the pediatricians at Mundelein Pediatrics in Grayslake, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (847) 548-7337, so call today.