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Helpful Asthma Management Tips In Managing Your Child's Asthma

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Asthma Severity

It is important to be able to assess the severity of an asthma attack. A checklist of asthma symptoms for mild, moderate and severe attacks is provided on page 4. It is also important that the overall severity of your child's asthma is assessed as this determines the day-to-day treatment. This is done by understanding the pattern of asthma symptoms. A symptom diary is provided on page 13 to help determine the frequency and pattern of your child's asthma symptoms. Take the completed symptom diary on each visit to your child's doctor when your child's asthma is reviewed.

Triggers

Understanding what triggers your child's asthma can take time. Keep a symptom diary and note what may be possible triggers. Use the chart on pages 5 and 6 to help manage or minimise your child's triggers. We are always finding new ways to minimise triggers, so include this in your discussion with the doctor when your child is being reviewed.

Asthma Medications

The aim is to gain the best control with the least amount of medication and side effects. Your child's asthma is well controlled when the asthma episodes are no closer than every 2 months, the episodes do not always require hospital admission and there are no regular asthma symptoms between the episodes. As the severity of your child's asthma can change from season to season and over time, it is important for your child's asthma management to be reviewed regularly. It is important to understand what the medications do, when they should be used and possible side effects, including the correct use of the delivery device. Always discuss your concerns about medications.

Asthma Action Plan

An Asthma Action Plan is a written plan designed especially for your child to help you manage their asthma. It is based on changes in your child's asthma symptoms and will give you information on what to do when your child is both well and unwell. It should provide information about the type of medicine your child should use, how much they should take and how often. An Asthma Action Plan should give you a clear understanding of when you should seek medical advice or help from an emergency department. It is important to have your plan reviewed by your child's doctor on a regular basis even when well. Every child with asthma should have a plan. An asthma action plan is provided on page 16.

Regularly Review Your Child's Asthma Management

Take your child to their doctor regularly to have their asthma management reviewed even when well. Remember to take your child's asthma action plan with you so that it can be reviewed and changes made if necessary. If your child does not have an asthma action plan take along the copy provided (page 16) or ask your child's doctor for one. In addition, take your child's asthma medication device with you and ask your child's doctor or asthma educator to check that your child is using it properly.

Childcare and Schools

It is important that staff caring for your children are aware that your child has asthma, what usually triggers your child's asthma, and what they need to do if your child has an asthma attack whilst in their care. Give your child's childcare service or school a detailed written record of your child's asthma, including their usual management plans and emergency plans. Refer to page 14 and 15 for a blank copy of a childcare asthma record card and student asthma record card. We recommend this record card is completed in consultation with your child's doctor, and is reviewed regularly so that the childcare or school has current information. Give your child's school or childcare access to your child's blue reliever puffer and spacer or alternative delivery device clearly labelled with your child's name, so that staff can give prompt treatment to your child.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead Tel: (02) 9845 3585 Fax: (02) 9845 3562 www.chw.edu.au	Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick Tel: (02) 9382 1688 Fax: (02) 9382 1451 www.sch.edu.au	Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network Tel: (02) 4921 3670 Fax: (02) 4921 3599 www.kaleidoscope.org.au