Controlling your child's asthma

Is my child's asthma getting worse?

The following signs could mean that you child's asthma is getting worse:

• Wheezing and coughing first thing in the morning
• Increased wheezing and coughing after exercise, or doing less exercise
• Waking at night with a cough or wheeze
• If the reliever inhaler is not providing relief of symptoms after 3-4 hours
• Needing more and more reliever medicine with less and less effect.
  
  You can agree a personal action plan with your doctor or nurse so that you know what to do if any of these happen.

Tools to help your child

Asthma UK has produced a pack of materials called 'Be in Control' that are suitable for young people over the age of 12 years. 'Be in Control' includes tools to help control your child's asthma, including a Personal Asthma Action Plan, Asthma Review Card, Medicines Card and a Peak Flow Diary. 'Be in Control' packs are available free from Asthma UK.

For children under five years of age a personal asthma action plan can be downloaded. Under 5s Asthma Action Plan (81 kb) .

Asthma UK are currently working on developing a personal asthma action plan for children between the ages of 5-12 years. In the meantime you should ask your doctor or asthma nurse for a written action plan and they will be able to devise a plan specifically for your child.

Children's asthma survey 2009

We are conducting a survey with children with asthma to get their ideas about the type of action plan they would like. If your child is between the ages of 8 – 11 we would love to get their views.

Click here for a link to the children's asthma survey