Seasonal Asthma in Kids: How to Spot It and Manage Flare-Ups

Having childhood asthma is challenging enough. But for many kids, things like cold air, springtime pollen, and other seasonal changes can make their asthma even more unpredictable. For some, even a sudden drop in temperature can trigger a flare-up.

Do your child’s asthma symptoms seem to get worse at certain times of the year? If so, this blog is for you! Learn about the warning signs of seasonal asthma and how they differ from colds and allergies, as well as the most common seasonal asthma triggers.

By taking preventive measures at home and outdoors and treating seasonal flare-ups and attacks properly, you can help your child with asthma breathe easier all year long.

Seasonal Asthma Symptoms

Is it just a cold, or is it something more? Seasonal asthma often causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness – symptoms that can easily be mistaken for colds or allergies by concerned parents.

While these symptoms do overlap, the truth is they’re not the same. Colds generally affect the nose and throat, while allergies generally affect the nose and eyes. However, most asthma symptoms come from the chest.

Spotting Seasonal Asthma

A big part of recognizing seasonal asthma in children is paying attention to what’s happening in their environment during that time. Do your child’s symptoms seem worse in the spring, when pollen counts are high? Or during the winter, when the air is cold and dry?

If your child has recurring symptoms (such as a constant cough) or frequent flare-ups during certain times of year, seasonal asthma could be the culprit.

Seasonal Asthma Triggers

When children with seasonal asthma are exposed to any of the following triggers, their immune system goes into overdrive, restricting their airways and their ability to breathe.

Weather

Is your child under the weather? For many kids, weather conditions and changes often lead to seasonal asthma flare-ups. For example:

• Cold, dry air irritates the lining of your child’s airways
• Hot, humid air narrows and constricts your child’s airways
• Wind stirs up allergens and blows them through the air
• Extreme temperature changes increase asthma symptoms

If you think the weather could be affecting your child’s asthma, consider keeping a log of their asthma symptoms and the weather conditions on those days to share with your doctor.

Allergens

Outdoor allergens can also trigger your child’s seasonal asthma, especially pollen (which blooms in the spring) and ragweed (which blooms in late summer and early fall).

Mold is a common indoor and outdoor allergen that’s associated with seasonal asthma. During the winter, when families spend more time indoors, dust can also worsen asthma symptoms. Allergy testing can help pinpoint the allergens that trigger your child the most.

Reduce Your Child’s Exposure At Home and Outdoors

Once you know what’s triggering your child’s seasonal asthma, you can create a more asthma-friendly environment by taking proactive steps like these:

Watch the forecast for temperature changes or other weather conditions that could trigger your child’s asthma.

If cold weather is a trigger, have your child cover their mouth and nose with a loose scarf when they go outdoors.

During hot or humid weather, keep your child well-hydrated and stay indoors during peak temperatures.

Check local pollen, ragweed, and mold counts and limit your child’s outdoor activities when counts are high.

Have your child change clothes and bathe or shower after spending time outdoors.

Keep the windows of your home closed to keep allergens out.

Clean your home regularly to minimize dust and mold.

Never allow smoking around your child. Exposure to tobacco smoke is a major risk factor for childhood asthma.

Managing Seasonal Asthma Flare-Ups

When seasonal asthma flare-ups or attacks occur, it’s important to be prepared. Always have a rescue inhaler readily available to use as needed.

If your child takes any asthma medication, make sure they always take it as prescribed – even on days when they feel well. Certain breathing techniques, such as belly breathing, can also help calm your child’s airways during an asthma flare-up.

Seek medical treatment right away if:

Your child has constant wheezing or coughing

Your child must use their inhaler repeatedly for severe symptoms that don’t go away after 15-20 minutes or return again quickly

Your child has trouble talking or can’t speak in full sentences

When your child breathes, the areas below their ribs, between their ribs, and/or in their neck visibly pull in

Your child’s lips or fingernails turn blue or gray in color

Carry An Asthma Action Plan

An asthma action plan is a written plan that you create with your child’s doctor to help control your child’s asthma. This plan should include:

What medications to take and when

A list of possible triggers

Early symptoms of flare-ups

What to do if flare-ups happen

When to seek emergency care

Your doctor’s contact information

Your child’s asthma action plan goes everywhere they go! Keep an extra copy at home and share the plan with teachers, the school nurse, and anyone else who cares for your child.

Ask TrustCare Kids For Asthma Help

If you suspect your child has seasonal asthma, the pediatric experts at TrustCare Kids are here to help your child Feel Better Faster®.

TrustCare Kids offers walk-in urgent care services seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, and pediatric primary care by appointment. To get started, find a TrustCare Kids location near you today.