How frequently should my child's asthma action plan be reviewed

Usually, it makes sense to review the action plan annually, but you might do so earlier in case the symptoms of your child change, they become mature enough to use a different inhaler device, or there is a new trigger.

Is it possible for my child to take part in physical activities and sport events despite having asthma?

Yes, usually, children who have well-controlled asthma can be physically active, and your doctor will tell you how to use the reliever inhaler before any physical activity.

Does my child need a nebuliser instead of an inhaler with a spacer?

In some cases, especially for very small children, it may be more convenient to use the nebuliser because it provides the medicine in the form of a mist sprayed into a mask.

Asthma in Toddlers: Treatment, Medication & Management Tips

Diagnosis is just the first step. The next step is knowing how to deal with your child's asthma every single day, so that it does not interfere too much with their play, sleep, and other daily activities. With the right kind of management, almost all kids with asthma lead an active life.

Understanding Your Childs Treatment Regime

"In case of suspicion of asthma, your doctor will prescribe drugs, such as inhaled drugs, and tell you how to administer them properly. Spacer devices can help in administering inhaler drugs in an effective way to little children."

Dr Gopal Aggarwal, Director, Department of Neonatology & Paediatrics, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Gurgaon.

There are two basic types of inhaled drugs; the first kind acts fast to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack, and the other reduces inflammation and prevents symptoms from appearing in the future.

Inhaler Technique: The Right Way To Do It

It should be noted that very young children cannot independently use a regular inhaler, which explains the popularity of using spacers with an additional face mask. The spacer allows slowing down the flow of the drug from the inhaler, providing your child with more time to inhale medication rather than lose the majority of the dose in the air.

A few practical tips can help with technique:

Discuss the right use of the inhaler with your doctor directly instead of reading instructions
Practice inhalation when your child is in a calm state, not during flare-ups, so that the process is well-coordinated
Be sure that the mask properly seals your child’s nose and mouth
Try to encourage your child to take several breaths through the spacer after each puff
Remember to clean the spacer regularly, according to your doctor's advice

The right technique of inhalation is as important as the choice of medication for your child, since no matter how effective the medication is, it cannot work if not properly used.

Minimising Contact with Triggers

In addition to taking medications, minimising your child’s contact with triggers can greatly lower the occurrence of attacks. You may do the following:

Maintaining a relatively clean environment in terms of dust and mould at home where possible.
Ensuring that there is no smoke exposure of any kind to your child, including secondhand smoke.
Reducing exposure to perfumes, aerosols, or polluted air outdoors as far as possible.
Controlling interaction with pets if your child is allergic to pets.
Dressing your child properly in cold air conditions that may act as a trigger for symptoms.

You can't avoid every trigger all the time, and that's okay. The goal is just to limit contact where you can.

Creating an Asthma Action Plan

An asthma action plan on paper that is made by consulting your doctor can be much easier for everyone. It usually includes:

Your child’s usual medicine to take daily
What to do if the first signs show up, including the extra medicines
Signs that indicate it is time to go to the emergency room
Information about how to reach your doctor and emergency contacts

It means that all the people taking care of your child, including grandparents, school, or babysitter, will know what should be done and won’t have to call you in case something happens while you are away.

Identifying and Dealing With an Asthma Attack

Parents need to be aware of the symptoms that point to an asthma attack. If the child is having trouble breathing, breathing very fast, unable to talk or drink normally, getting very drowsy, or has blue lips, then you must seek medical help immediately.

If the symptoms have worsened but are not yet at such a stage, the action plan will instruct what you need to do next: either provide a reliever drug, consult the doctor, or watch for a short while. You must stay calm during an asthma flare-up because children usually sense any anxiety in parents, and it becomes even more difficult for them to breathe.

When Should You Consult Your Doctor?

You should consult your doctor in the following cases:

Your child uses their reliever more often than usual
The symptoms do not go away after treatment according to the existing treatment
You are uncertain whether you use an inhaler or a spacer properly
The action plan for your child is outdated or no longer works for them
You would like some advice concerning specific triggers, for instance, the upcoming changes in seasons or pets in your house

If diagnosed and treated correctly and promptly, your child will be able to breathe easily and enjoy activities they like to do. Thus, consultations with your doctor to review the action plan are just as necessary as the daily management of asthma.

Once you establish the routine, learn how to use your inhaler or spacer properly, and create the action plan for your child, it is much easier to deal with asthma. As a result, most children with asthma lead a normal life.

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FAQs on Asthma in Toddlers: Treatment, Medication & Management Tips

How frequently should my child's asthma action plan be reviewed
Usually, it makes sense to review the action plan annually, but you might do so earlier in case the symptoms of your child change, they become mature enough to use a different inhaler device, or there is a new trigger.
Is it possible for my child to take part in physical activities and sport events despite having asthma?
Yes, usually, children who have well-controlled asthma can be physically active, and your doctor will tell you how to use the reliever inhaler before any physical activity.
Does my child need a nebuliser instead of an inhaler with a spacer?
In some cases, especially for very small children, it may be more convenient to use the nebuliser because it provides the medicine in the form of a mist sprayed into a mask.