Act Now Against Asthma

Parent Information for Children Who Have Asthma

Asthma is a serious lung disease.  During an asthma attack, the airways get narrow, making it difficult to breathe.  Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

If you have asthma or a child with asthma, you are not alone.  About 17 million Americans have asthma.  Asthma is the leading cause of long-term illness in children.

The air that children breathe can make a difference.  Asthma may be triggered by allergens and irritants that are common in homes.  Help your child breathe easier:  consult a doctor and reduce asthma triggers in your home.

Triggers are things in your child’s environment that may cause them to have asthma attack such as second-hand smoke or dust mites. Below are some examples of Asthma triggers:

 

·          Second-Hand Smoke from any type of tobacco.  Choose not to smoke in your home or car and do not allow others to do so either. 

·          Dust mite are too small to be seen but are found in every home.  Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, fabric-covered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, and stuffed toys.  You can control them by:
o       Washing your sheets, blankets, stuffed toys in hot water once a week.
o       Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof (allergen-impermeable) zippered covers.

·          Pets:  Your Pet’s skin flakes, urine, and saliva can be asthma triggers. Keep your pets:
o        Out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and keep the door closed.
o       Away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys.

·          Molds grow on damp materials.  If mold is a problem in your home:
o       Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely.
o       Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.

·          Pests:  Droppings or body parts of pests such as cockroaches or rodents can be asthma triggers.  You can control asthma symptoms by:
o       Not leaving food or garbage out.
o       Storing food in airtight containers. 

House dust may also contain asthma triggers. Remove dust often with a damp cloth, and vacuum carpet and fabric-covered furniture to reduce dust build-up.  Allergic people should leave the area being vacuumed.

Not all of the asthma triggers addressed in this brochure affect every person with asthma and not all asthma triggers are listed here.  For more information, contact Linda Stewart of Healthy Homes University at 517-335-8867.  This program is Free and they will inspect your home and install products to help prevent injuries and reduce home triggers affecting a child’s asthma or other respiratory illness. 

To increase awareness about the importance of early childhood in our community, each month the Ingham Great Start Collaborative will distribute articles and brochures on topics essential to our children’s early childhood development, education, and health. 

This information was developed by:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/iaq  

- Furnished by Ingham County Great Start                                              

 

Act Now Against Asthma

Parent Information for Children Who Have Asthma

 

Asthma is a serious lung disease.  During an asthma attack, the airways get narrow, making it difficult to breathe.  Symptoms of asthma include: wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

The air that children breathe can make a difference.  Asthma may be triggered by:

·          Second Hand Smoke

·          Dust Mites

·          Pets

·          Mold

·          Pests

For more information, contact Linda Stewart of Healthy Homes University at 517-335-8867.  This program is Free and they will inspect your home and install products to help prevent injuries and reduce home triggers affecting a child’s asthma or other respiratory illness.

To increase awareness about the importance of early childhood in our community, each month the Ingham Great Start Collaborative will distribute articles and brochures on topics essential to our children’s early childhood development, education, and health. 

This information was developed by:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/iaq               

 

-Furnished by Ingham County Great Start

 

 

May 2006

May Is “Asthma Awareness Month” (May)

Currently, there are nearly 5 million children in the United States who suffer from asthma. In Ingham County alone, more than 150 children were hospitalized in 2002 with asthma-related symptoms which could have been prevented.

In recognition of May having been designated as “Asthma Awareness Month,” the Ingham County Health Department will be coordinating an information campaign at stores, restaurants, and day care facilities to inform parents how they can help to prevent future asthma attacks in their children. Here are a few tips:

• Inform your child care provider of your child’s condition and any factors which may trigger the disease.
• Fix moisture problems in your home and thoroughly dry wet areas within 1-2 days to prevent mold growth.
• Make sure your child’s room and play areas are dusted and vacuumed thoroughly.
• Consult your child’s doctor about having pets and animals in the home and play areas.
• Refrain from smoking around your child at all times. 

 For more information on managing childhood asthma, call the Ingham County Health Department’s Children’s Special Healthcare Services (517-887-4553.).

 
---Furnished by Ingham County Great Start

 

 Managing Your Child’s Asthma (May - Short Version)

 The Ingham County Health Department offers the following tips to help parents better manage asthma in their children.

 • Inform your child care provider of your child’s condition and any factors which may trigger the disease.
• Fix moisture problems in your home and thoroughly dry wet areas within 1-2 days to prevent mold growth.
• Make sure your child’s room and play areas are dusted and vacuumed thoroughly.
• Consult your child’s doctor about having pets and animals in the home and play areas.
• Refrain from smoking around your child at all times.

 For more information on managing childhood asthma, call the Ingham County Health Department (517-887-4553).

 ---Furnished by Ingham County Great Start

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