Allergies and asthma are common serious chronic childhood diseases affecting millions of children in the United States. In infants and children, asthma may appear as a cough, rapid or noisy breathing in and out, or chest congestion. Proper diagnosis and management of childhood asthma requires a physician who recognizes the unique characteristics of childhood asthma. With the proper management and medications, an asthmatic child can lead a normal life.

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Childhood Asthma
Childhood asthma differs from asthma in adults in that infants and small children may not show the usual signs of asthma. Instead, asthma in children may appear as rapid respiration, noisy breathing, retraction, and chest congestion. Physicians who are not specialists may treat these symptoms as an infection, not realizing that the underlying cause is asthma. Correct diagnosis and management of childhood asthma requires an asthma and allergy specialist who recognizes the uniqueness of childhood asthma.

Childhood Allergies
Children miss about two million school days each year because of allergy symptoms. Parents, teachers and physicians can work together to determine a plan for minimizing risks and planning a safer environment for children with asthma and allergies. The key to reducing the severity of symptoms in your child is avoidance of the triggers. Talk with your physician to find out what you can do to help relieve some potential allergens that may be affecting your child’s allergies.

Tips for managing childhood allergies: Control allergy symptoms by reducing environmental triggers. Promote a healthy lifestyle including proper rest, exercise and nutrition, and ensuring proper medication use. Foster emotional health so your child thinks of himself or herself as a healthy person, not a sick one, and is confident of his or her ability to confront challenges and succeed. Prevent symptoms from affecting your child’s energy levels, concentration, attention span, peer relations, physical activity and overall well-being.

With ongoing research and current knowledge of genetic and cellular engineering, there is a new promise of hope for prevention of allergies and asthma in the future. In the meantime, parents with children who have allergies or asthma can make environmental changes and use preventative measures to help reduce the occurrence of allergies and asthma in their children.

Additional Information:

	If your child has asthma, be sure and complete a School Asthma Management Plan (Page 1 and Page 2).
	Peak Flow Meters
	What is Asthma? How can you tell if your child may have it?
	What to expect at the doctor's office
	The diagnosis is asthma, now what?
	Talking to your child about their asthma
	Helping a kid with asthma be a kid
	Childhood Asthma Tip Brochure