As it gets colder, you may notice your child/young person asthma/wheeze symptoms may get worse.
If your child/young person's asthma is triggered by cold air, please ensure the following:
- Ensure your child/young person is regularly taking their preventer medicine / inhaler as prescribed. Every morning and every evening. This should be administered via an appropriate spacer and remember good technique is key!
- Carry the reliever inhaler (blue) and spacer on you or your child/young person at all times. If symptoms start, follow your personal Asthma & Wheeze Action Plan and make an appointment with your doctor.
- Follow their personalised Asthma & Wheeze Action Plan and ensure there is a copy at nursery or school, along with a reliver inhaler and spacer.
- Speak to the school / nursery and remind them that the cold can affect asthma and make sure they are happy with your child/young persons asthma plan.
- If your child has a pending asthma/wheeze review, ensure you attend - even if you think they are currently well controlled. We want to ensure your child has the correct medications and we can pick up any signs that there might be increased risk of an asthma attack over the winter period.
- Check your stock! Ensure you have enough preventer medication and make an appointment with your asthma nurse / doctor early, so you don't run out.
- Wrap up warm! Jumpers, coats, hats, scarfs and gloves! Teenagers may benefit from a loose scarf or face mask around their nose and mouth - breathing through their nose and out of their mouth will help the air to warm up and be less of a shock to their airways.
- Cold weather brings a higher risk of colds and flu. Please ensure your child/young person has had their flu vaccine - please see your GP.
And remember - cold weather also means you are more likely to be indoors, think about your child/young person's triggers including dust, pet hair, damp and protect them against this. Hoover more frequently and ensure the house is well ventilated.