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Signs
- Nocturnal: asthma can occur very suddenly and worse in the middle of the night. It can leave your child breathless, wheezy and exhausted on waking.
- Chest tightness: usually extrinsic/allergic asthma. Chest feels tight and breathing becomes difficult. There is a usually a wheeze.
- Cough: persistent irritating cough.
- Silent: breathless starts with no warning and no wheeze.
Triggers
- Seasonal: as seasons change different types of pollen occur which can trigger your child’s asthma:
- Summer – tree/grass/flower pollen in hot dry atmosphere
- Autumn – fungal spores in wet or damp weather
- Environmental: dust, chemicals, fumes, animals, fluff from fruit can all be triggers for your child’s asthma.
- Exercise : when the child is exercising or after exercise they may have a wheeze and be short of breath. Worse in cold weather.
- Emotional induced : caused by laughing, excitement or sudden shock.
