1. Watch for symptoms
The typical symptoms of allergic asthma in kids include nasal and oral itching, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Younger children may snort or sniff instead of blowing their nose and make a clicking noise while trying to reach the itch on the roof of their mouth. Allergic reactions such as these can lead to asthmatic symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and daily/nightly rescue inhaler use.
2. Learn what your child is allergic to
If you suspect your child may have allergic asthma, speak with your child’s primary health care provider about a referral to an allergist. An allergist will be able to perform an allergy test by either skin or blood testing, which can identify their allergic triggers. The test will look for a variety of environmental allergens, such as local flora and home exposures.
There are two categories that allergens fall into:
- Indoor/perennial: indoor molds, dogs, cats, dust mites and pests such as cockroaches. Indoor allergens are typically problematic for kids year-round.
- Outdoor/seasonal: trees, grasses, weeds, and outdoor molds. Unlike indoor allergens, outdoor allergens tend to peak during certain seasons of the year. In the Midwest, trees pollinate from February through the end of May. Grass pollinates between May and mid-July. Weeds from August to mid-October (generally around the first frost). And molds tend to peak in spring, summer and fall. However, these patterns often change as the Earth warms. For example, in southern parts of the US, grass is a perennial allergen. This can could also happen in Northern states.
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3. Limit indoor exposure
You may not always be able to control the exposure to allergens your child receives outdoors, but you can control the ones in your home. This will involve a complete and thorough sweep of any allergens in your home. If done right, you could potentially reduce your child’s risk for medications.
Here are some of the indoor triggers you may want to start with:
Dust mites: dust mites live in woven materials like carpeting, fabrics, mattresses, stuffed animals and couches. Although they don’t bite, they feed on dead skin and absorb humidity from the atmosphere as a source of food and water.
They can be eliminated by:
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- Creating physical barriers by purchasing dust mite covers for pillows, comforters, mattresses and box springs.
- Washing sheets and comforters once a week in hot water and/or dry on the hottest setting.
- Keeping your child’s room clean and clutter-free.
- Maintaining humidity below 50%, by either regular opening of windows in a dry climate or running AC in a humid climate (68 – 72 °F).
- Removing the carpeting from your home, or at least where your child sleeps. (This is not necessary if cost is an issue).
Pets: Although it may not be easy, the best option to eliminating pet allergens is to remove the pet from the home entirely. If that option is out of the question, try keeping the pet in a certain area of the house and out of your child’s room. Additionally, washing dogs one to two times a week may reduce allergens.
Pests: The best solution for controlling pests such as cockroaches and rodents is through professional extermination. You should also keep your house clean, keep food and trash covered and fix any cracks in the walls and floors.
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4. Medication
Depending on how severe your child’s symptoms are, there are a number of medications that can decrease their asthma attacks and quality of life, if avoiding asthma allergens doesn’t work.
5. Allergy shots
Another option, if you are opposed to your child taking medication, is allergy shots. Through allergy shots, a tiny, progressive amount of your child’s allergies will be injected into their skin, in order to build up their immunity. Your child will start with weekly visits and then move to monthly. This process can take anywhere from 3-5 years. However, some children can achieve allergy tolerance for up to 10 years. It is important to note that allergy shots are not recommended for kids with severe or life-threatening asthma.
If you are worried about your child’s allergic asthma and/or their symptoms are not well-controlled by an oral antihistamine, contact your child’s doctor.
