Asthma can be triggered by a variety of things, including exposure to pollen, dust, feathers, molds, animal dander, pollution, cigarette smoke, or cold dry air, as well as an upper respiratory infection, exercise, excitement, and stress. Sometimes a child will develop an asthma attack for no apparent reason.

A child experiencing an asthma attack will cough, wheeze, have an increased respiratory rate, have a feeling of tightness in her chest, and have difficulty breathing. Early signs of an asthma attack include an itchy throat, a change in breathing pattern, fatigue, paleness, nervousness, a runny nose, or moodiness. It is important to watch your child carefully and treat her quickly if you notice an asthma attack coming on. If you have any doubts as to your child's breathing, don't hesitate to call your doctor.

If your child suffers from asthma, one simple way you can monitor her breathing is with an instrument called a peak flow meter, available at many large drug stores and through medical supply catalogs. These are relatively inexpensive, simple-to-use devices that measure how much airpressure your child can exert with a full exhalation. The meter's indicator can be used to compare how your child's air flow changes from day to day. By monitoring this way, you will have a more reliable means of determining whether your child's condition is getting better or worse. Your physician will help you determine what to watch for with your child.

Emergency Treatment for Asthma In the event of a severe asthma attack, you need to seek immediate medical care for your child. If your child's asthma is not resolving using the treatments you know, call your physician and take your child to the emergency room. At the hospital, your child will probably be given an inhaled medication that sprays a bronchodilator (a substance that opens air passages to restore free breathing) directly into the airways. If this does not help, she may receive other drugs, such as intravenous steroids or theophyl-line, and may need to be hospitalized. In some cases a child will need to receive oxygen to ease the work of breathing. On the way to the hospital, you can give your child one dose of homeopathic Aconite to help ease her fear. Five minutes after administering the Aconite, give your child one dose of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. This calming remedy will help ease the shock, anxiety, or fright your child may be experiencing.

Conventional Treatment
For chronic asthma, steroids are currently the conventional treatment of choice. These medicines work by decreasing the swelling and inflammation of the airways. They can be taken orally or inhaled. Inhaled steroids (including Beclovent, Vanceril, AeroBid, and Azmacort) are more commonly used; oral steroids (such as Pediapred) are generally used only in more severe cases. All steroids potentially have significant side effects, especially when taken over the long term, that need to be understood. Talk this over with your doctor or nurse.