About Asthma

What is Asthma?
Asthma is very common among children, teens and adults. It is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten.

An asthma attack is when your lungs aren’t getting enough air to breathe. Your child might be having an asthma attack if he or she has:

Trouble breathing
Wheezing
Coughing
Chest pain
Chest tightness
What causes Asthma Attacks?

Things that cause asthma attacks are called triggers.

Triggers are everywhere.

Any home can be full of triggers like mold, dust mites secondhand smoke, cockroaches, cats and dogs.

Other asthma triggers may be air pollution (such as ozone, small particles, and pollen), foods, respiratory infections and exercise.

Asthma cannot be cured. But, with the help of a doctor and an asthma action plan, you can make sure your child stays active and healthy.

Click here to take the Smoke-free Home Pledge



Did you know?

Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or the smoke breathed out by a smoker. Choose not to smoke in your home or car, and don't allow others to do so either. www.epa.gov/smokefree Preventing Attacks

Step 1: Talk to a Doctor

Talk to a doctor about your child’s asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to keep your child from having asthma attacks.

Learn what triggers your child’s asthma attacks.
Identify asthma triggers in your home.
Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
Find out what medicine your child should take.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Ask your doctor to help you create your child’s Asthma Action Plan.

Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child’s asthma attacks.

An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.


Step 3: Asthma-Proof Your Home

Triggers are a part of everyday life.

Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillow, or your child's stuffed animals.

Learn more about things that might trigger an asthma attack and what you can do to get rid of them and help your child stay healthy.



Did you know?

Did you know molds can be found almost anywhere? They can grow on almost any damp or wet surface. The way to control mold is to get rid of moisture. Preventing Attacks

Step 1: Talk to a Doctor

Talk to a doctor about your child’s asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to keep your child from having asthma attacks.

Learn what triggers your child’s asthma attacks.
Identify asthma triggers in your home.
Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
Find out what medicine your child should take.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Ask your doctor to help you create your child’s Asthma Action Plan.

Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child’s asthma attacks.

An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.


Step 3: Asthma-Proof Your Home

Triggers are a part of everyday life.

Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillow, or your child's stuffed animals.

Learn more about things that might trigger an asthma attack and what you can do to get rid of them and help your child stay healthy.



Did you know?

Did you know molds can be found almost anywhere? They can grow on almost any damp or wet surface. The way to control mold is to get rid of moisture. Preventing Attacks

Step 1: Talk to a Doctor

Talk to a doctor about your child’s asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to keep your child from having asthma attacks.

Learn what triggers your child’s asthma attacks.
Identify asthma triggers in your home.
Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
Find out what medicine your child should take.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Ask your doctor to help you create your child’s Asthma Action Plan.

Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child’s asthma attacks.

An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.


Step 3: Asthma-Proof Your Home

Triggers are a part of everyday life.

Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillow, or your child's stuffed animals.

Learn more about things that might trigger an asthma attack and what you can do to get rid of them and help your child stay healthy.



Did you know?

Did you know molds can be found almost anywhere? They can grow on almost any damp or wet surface. The way to control mold is to get rid of moisture. Preventing Attacks

Step 1: Talk to a Doctor

Talk to a doctor about your child’s asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to keep your child from having asthma attacks.

Learn what triggers your child’s asthma attacks.
Identify asthma triggers in your home.
Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
Find out what medicine your child should take.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Ask your doctor to help you create your child’s Asthma Action Plan.

Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child’s asthma attacks.

An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.


Step 3: Asthma-Proof Your Home

Triggers are a part of everyday life.

Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillow, or your child's stuffed animals.

Learn more about things that might trigger an asthma attack and what you can do to get rid of them and help your child stay healthy.



Did you know?

Did you know molds can be found almost anywhere? They can grow on almost any damp or wet surface. The way to control mold is to get rid of moisture. Asthma Action Plan

You can help avoid the emergency room by managing your child's asthma daily. With a doctor's help, you can create an Asthma Action Plan to help you take care of your child and reduce the triggers in your home.


Download Asthma Action Card

When you and your doctor make the plan, be sure to include:

Your child’s asthma triggers.
Instructions for asthma medicines.
What to do if your child has an asthma attack.
When to call your doctor.
Emergency telephone numbers.
Use this Asthma Action Plan at home, school, and with your babysitter. Be sure to give a copy of your child’s asthma plan to your child’s school (teacher, coach, nurse) and talk it over with them. In case of an attack, they will know what to do.

If you follow the steps in this plan, you will help prevent your child from having asthma attacks.