Asthma Proof House

• Dust control measures
  These may include removal of dust catchers in the child's room, removal of carpet, stuffed toys, piles of books, news papers, grain bags, wall hangings and other heavens of dust  mites. Pillows and mattress be encased with allergy proof covers. Get the room of child  regularly cleaned.

• Ventilation and light in the bedroom 
  The room of the child should get adequate ventilation and light to check the growth of house dust mite.
• Humidity levels in the house 
  Humidity level should be reduced in the house. Kitchen, bathroom and indoor plants are main sources of humidity in the house. You can check spread of humidity from these places by putting exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom. Indoor plants should be removed. Walls of the room should be free from dampness.
• Indoor pets
  Pets such as dog, or bird should be avoided according to the medical recommendation.
• Smoking in the house
  Does any member of household smoke? He should be persuaded to quit smoking as it is injurious to asthmatic child.
• Smoke and fumes in the house 
  Search for any source of fumes in the house such as kerosene stove or frying in the kitchen. An exhaust fan in the kitchen will clear such smoke and fumes. An aggarbatti stick can trigger asthma hence the prayer should be done without lighting the aggarbatti or exaust fan should be used with it.

Asthma Proof Outdoors

• Wetting
  During play the children may become wet in the rains. Advice them to avoid wetting. If  he has already drenched in water immediately replace the wet clothes.
• Smell and scent
  Many a times smell of specific flowers such as carnations, roses, night blooming jasmine can precipitate asthma. If the child starts sneezing or coughing on smelling these flowers you should suspect smell as one of the trigger factors. These plants should be removed  from the garden if these flowers are identified as triggers of your asthma.
• Pollens
  If the child develops allergic symptoms such as sneeze, cough or eye itch while playing in lawns in a particular season  one may suspect pollens as trigger factor. Outdoor playing should be avoided in this season.
• Cold exposure
  It is an important trigger of asthma. A child should take extra-precaution of using woollen clothes when anticipating cold exposure.

Self Care

• Regular medication
  You should take the medication regimen exactly as prescribed.
• Extra dose of medicine  
  If you anticipate contact with trigger factors a child should increase the dose of asthma medications . 
• Use of handkerchief  
  Usually children are shy and they avoid nose clearing in a tissue paper or handkerchief.Instead they sniff-in the nasal secretions probably to spread  infections in lower respiratory tract. A habit to sniff out and spitting expectoration should be taught to the children with asthma.

Though there is no hard scientific data but large number of Indian children develop sore throat on taking cold, sour and oily edibles. Many of them reported benefit by avoiding combination of these edibles. One should not take cold edibles after oily stuff or one should avoid sour and cold curd or lemon water with ice. A lump of sugar crystals immediately after trigger edible is found useful by many children. Majority of sore throat are of viral origin and therefore do not respond to antibiotics. However, a sub group of patients develop bacterial infection and they respond to antibiotic drugs. In such children antibiotics should be started at the onset of scratchy throat.

Asthma Proof School

• Autorikshaw in winters
  Mostly children in cities go to school in an autorikshaw or with their parents on a scooter. It can expose them to sudden cold. A neck collar and a scarf should be worn and may be  removed to keep in the bag on reaching to school.
• Fast fan
  Sitting place of a child is fixed in the class and many a times regulator of a fan is not functioning properly. In such a situation asthmatic child sitting under the fast revolving fan may be exposed to cold. Child should be encouraged to request to the teacher for change in place.
• Class room walls
  Request the teacher to show classroom of the child. Look for spots of dust collection, dampness in the walls and other triggers present. You can suggest remedies for these.
• Dusting
  Dusting makes a cloud and nearby children can inhale it. Therefore ensure from authorities to avoid dusting during school hours or to do wet wiping of floors.
• Play and Exercise
  If exercise is sometimes a problem for the child, discuss it with the class teacher. Be sure
  they understand that you expect your child to participate to the best of his/her ability. But that there will occasionally be times when exercise will not be appropriate. Teach the child to do warm-up and cool-down maneuver before and after exercise and games.
• Handkerchief
  It is a big help to asthmatic child. He should develop habit of covering nose and mouth on seeing smoke, fumes, strong smell, vehicular fumes and while going out during a pollen season.