Childrens
Asthma
Center

Asthma in Children
Asthma (also called reactive airway disease) is a common problem in infants and children. The most common symptoms include coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, which is caused by inflammation and tightness in the breathing tubes of the lungs.

Asthma Prevention
Asthma attacks and the symptoms of asthma can be prevented by avoiding triggers, using environmental controls and using preventative medications.

Asthma Symptoms
Review typical and subtle asthma symptoms in children, which can including coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, and a nighttime cough, so that you can recognize asthma symptoms in your kids.

Asthma Treatments
The medications that are used to control asthma include bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories (including steroids). Do not use over the counter medicines to control your childs wheezing.

Peak Flows
A peak flow meter is an important tool that can help determine how your child is doing and help with the management of his asthma. Your childs peak flows represents how much air he can get out of his lungs.

Using a Nebulizer
Nebulizers are commonly used to deliver asthma medications to young children. Here are some tips for using a nebulizer effectively.

Using a MDI
Most kids are able to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) when they are 4-6 years old. A younger child may also be able to use a MDI with a spacer and mask. Here are some tips for using a MDI effectively.

Exercise Induced Asthma
Exercise is a common trigger for childrens asthma, but it shouldn't limit your childs physical activities.

Asthma at School
Children with asthma will often need to continue their regular asthma management plan at school.

Allergy Treatment Guide
Many children with asthma also have allergies, and uncontrolled allergies can make it difficult to effectively manage your child's asthma. Learn more about treating allergies in children...

Asthma Specialists
While many Pediatricians treat children with asthma, some children need a referral to a Pediatric Pulmonologist, who specializes in treating children with asthma.

Asthma Resources
Internet educational resources for children with asthma.

Peak Flow Calendar

Create your own peak flow calendar, including color coded green, yellow and red zones to help you better manage your childs asthma.

[more asthma tools]

More Asthma Videos

Asthma Questionnaire
Does your child have asthma?

Cold and Flu Season
Advice to help your kids get through this year's flu season, including whether they need a flu shot, how to avoid the flu, and flu treatments, plus information about bird flu, tamiflu, and flu symptoms.

Updated Asthma Guidelines
Updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children and adults from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program.

Asthma Tools

Asthma Action Plan
Learn what to do to help manage your childs asthma and how to handle asthma attacks.

Symptom Diary
Keep track of your childs daily symptoms and triggers to better manage and control his asthma.

Peak Flow Zones
Figure out your childs green, yellow and red peak flow zones.

Peak Flow Calendar
Create your own peak flow calendar, including color coded green, yellow and red zones to help you better manage your childs asthma.

School Management Plan
Fill out and submit the following form to create an asthma management plan for use by your kids at school.

Food Allergies
Learn to prevent and identify food allergies in your children.

Eczema Treatment Guide
Many children with asthma and allergies also have eczema.

Does Your Child Have Asthma?
Asthma is a common, but sometimes underdiagnosed, condition in children. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing, but symptoms can usually be easily controlled with proper asthma medications, such as Advair, Pulmicort, Flovent, Asmanex, Serevent or Singulair.

Asthma Screening Quiz
Although often easy to diagnose if your child has a cough, wheezing, and trouble breathing, it can be much more difficult to diagnose if the child simply coughs a lot. Take this asthma screening quiz to see if your child has any of the symptoms of asthma.