Winter may be known for increased colds and the flu, but these chilly months can also be a difficult time for children with asthma. The dry, cold weather can cause inflammation in the airways, leading to an increase in asthma attacks. Viral infections, from the common cold to influenza and COVID-19, can also trigger asthma symptoms.
As scary as it can be, asthma is very treatable. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage your child’s asthma symptoms during the winter months.
Know the signs to look for
Even if your child has had asthma for a while, symptoms can change over time. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the potential signs of an asthma attack. Children with asthma may need treatment if they experience any of these symptoms:
- Coughing, especially early in the morning, at night, or after physical activity
- Wheezing: a high-pitched whistling sound when your child exhales
- Difficulty breathing, which may include gasping for air or difficulty speaking
- Increased respiratory rate
- Retractions: This is when your child uses their chest or belly muscles to help with their breathing (it looks like the skin in between the ribs sucking in with every breath, or the belly underneath the ribcage moving up and down)
- Chest or throat tightness
Always follow your pediatrician’s advice for treating asthma attacks. If the attack is not responding to treatment, your child is experiencing greater breathing difficulty, or their lips are turning gray or blue, seek emergency medical care right away.
Make a plan with your child’s doctor
Leading up to the winter months, be sure to check in with your child’s medical provider, whether they see a pediatrician or an asthma specialist. Your physician can help you understand and avoid common asthma triggers. They can also ensure you have the tools you need to manage asthma attacks at home, such as albuterol inhalers and spacers to use with them. In addition to as-needed albuterol treatment, your medical provider may recommend daily use of a steroid inhaler during the fall and winter months, depending on the severity of your child’s asthma.
Your child’s medical doctor should create and review your child’s “Asthma Management Plan” at every visit. This is a plan that tells you exactly what to do to treat your child’s asthma symptoms, depending on the severity. It can be helpful to print a copy of this plan and place it somewhere easily accessible in the house so that all caretakers know what to do to treat an asthma exacerbation. It is also important to make sure your child’s school and daycare providers have a copy of the plan and all of your child’s asthma medications.
Preparing for outdoor play
Being prepared for the cold outside can help prevent asthma attacks that can happen in chilly weather. If your child is outside, cover their nose and mouth with a scarf, ski mask or balaclava to decrease irritation in their airways. Try to limit physical activity in the cold air if that seems to be an asthma trigger for your child. You can transition during these months to indoor forms of physical activity.
Make your home asthma-friendly
A few simple tweaks to your home environment can help manage your child’s symptoms. If your heater is turned on, the indoor air may be dryer than normal. Dry air is another common trigger for asthma attacks. To add moisture to the air, try using a humidifier in the home and aim for humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent. Be sure to regularly change your HVAC filter to prevent irritants from circulating in your home’s air. Fabric commonly harbors dust that can irritate asthma, so make a routine of vacuuming carpet and rugs and frequently changing your child’s bedding. Cleaning the dust on top of ceiling fans is another way to minimize allergens in the household. If there are family members that smoke, it is important to remind them not to smoke indoors as cigarette smoke is a strong trigger for asthma.
Prevent respiratory illness
Viral respiratory illnesses can cause inflammation in the airways, which can make asthma symptoms worse. Immunization against common respiratory illnesses, like influenza and COVID-19, can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization. For those with asthma, vaccination may also reduce the risk of breathing complications. Talk to your child’s pediatrician to be sure your family is up to date on vaccines.
Other practices, such as routine hand washing and keeping sick people physically distanced from healthy ones, can also prevent the spread of winter illnesses that can worsen asthma symptoms. Prioritizing a nutritious diet and healthy sleep habits can also strengthen the immune system and promote overall health.
If your child’s asthma symptoms are changing or worsening, or they’re not responding to treatment, it’s a good idea to check in with your child’s medical provider.
