Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children as it impacts roughly 6.1 million children under the age of 18. Having an effective action plan can help your child effectively manage their symptoms. With the winter weather right around the corner it makes sense to wonder, can whether affect child asthma? Below you will find helpful information on how to help your child manage their asthma in any type of weather.
Can Weather Affect Child Asthma
It is possible that weather can impact your child’s asthma. There are a variety of weather changes that can impact certain children. Consider the following weather changes that can affect your child’s asthma.
- Cold and Dry Weather: A common asthma trigger that can cause major flareups in your child’s asthma is cold, dry air. This can be exacerbated even more if your child plays winter sports or regularly exercises outside.
- Wet Weather: Rain and wind can invite mold growth. Windy, wet weather can increase the amount of mold and pollen in the air potentially causing major issues for children with asthma.
- Hot and Humid Weather: In certain areas, hot and humid weather can create ground-level ozone. This is caused by heat and sunlight combining with pollutants. This combination can be a problematic trigger for children with asthma.
- Seasonal Changes: You may notice that your child has certain triggers at the same time each year. This can be helpful information for an asthma specialist in New York City. Try the keeping a diary of:
- Your child’s symptoms
- The location they were at when they were triggered
- The weather at the time
- And the time that the trigger occurred
These can help your child’s asthma specialist create an effective treatment plan addressing your child’s unique needs.
Asthma Trigger Prevention Tips
Before you make any changes to your child’s routine, set up a consultation with a child pulmonologist in New York City. They can diagnose and provide an effective treatment plan for your child. The following tips should not be done in lieu of talking to a medical professional as it is crucial to get treatment. In addition to getting help from a medical professional, consider the following asthma trigger prevention tips.
- Weather Forecast: Do you know your child’s asthma triggers? Then pay attention to the weather forecast, pollen and mold counts, or any other factor that could cause a trigger. Focus on limiting your child’s outdoor activities on peak trigger days.
- Cold Weather Tips: If the weather is cold, have your child wear a mask or scarf over their mouth to reduce the potential impact of a trigger. Keep them indoors as much as possible during cold weather if they are triggered by cold or wet weather.
- High Pollen and Mold Counts: If the pollen and mold counts are high, keep your windows closed (especially at night). The early morning is when the pollen count is at its highest so keep them indoors until at least 10 a.m.
- Medications: One of the most important things to remember if your child leaves home is to have quick relief remedies ready and available. If they are younger and are with other adults or at school, inform the chaperone or teacher about their asthma.
Asthma Specialist in New York City
If your child has undiagnosed asthma or is constantly having flareups, contact Dr. Mayan Shukla at the Asthma & Sleep Institute. He can help create a treatment plan for your child, or update their plan if they have trouble with their current one. Managing your child’s asthma symptoms is important for their overall health. Asthma triggers and attacks can cause physical stress on their body, but it can also be a really scary experience for everyone involved. Contact the top asthma specialist in New York City today for an appointment!
