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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffTaking steps to reduce your child's exposure to things that trigger asthma symptoms will help your child stay healthy and lessen the possibility of asthma attacks. Here are some things you can do:
- Use your air conditioner. Air conditioning helps reduce the amount of airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds that finds its way indoors. Air conditioning also lowers indoor humidity and can reduce your exposure to dust mites. If you don't have air conditioning, try to keep your windows closed during pollen season.
- Make your home more asthma friendly. Minimize dust that may aggravate nighttime symptoms by replacing certain items in your bedroom. For example, encase pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust-proof covers. Remove carpeting and install hardwood or linoleum flooring. Use washable curtains and blinds.
- Maintain low humidity. If you live in a damp climate, talk to your doctor about using a dehumidifier.
- Keep indoor air clean. Have a utility company check your air conditioner and furnace once a year. Change the filters in your furnace and air conditioner according to the manufacturer's instructions. Also consider installing a small-particle filter in your ventilation system.
- Reduce pet dander. If your child is allergic to dander, it's best to avoid pets with fur or feathers. Regular bathing or grooming also may reduce the amount of dander in your surroundings.
- Clean regularly. Clean your home at least once a week.
- Reduce exposure to cold air. If your child's asthma is worsened by cold, dry air, a face mask can help.
Help your child stay healthy
Staying active and treating other conditions linked to asthma will help keep your child's asthma under control. Make sure your child:
- Gets regular exercise. Asthma symptoms can interfere with active play or sports. But don't let asthma sideline your child. Exercise is proved to reduce asthma symptoms and is a critical part of your child's cardiovascular health. With asthma under control, there usually is no limit to your child's physical activity level.
- Maintains a healthy weight. Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, and it puts your child at higher risk of other health problems.
- Controls heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It's possible that the acid reflux that causes heartburn may damage lung airways and worsen asthma symptoms.
