Don’t let asthma ruin your summer.

Enjoy your summer by keep asthma under control this summer.

It’s that time of year that everyone anticipates — weekend getaways to the cottage, playing outdoors all day long and fun family trips. But if your child suffers from asthma, keeping it under control during the summer months is necessary to ensure they have a safe and active break from school. Planning ahead and taking precautions helps to reduce their risks. Beware of summer asthma triggers such as pets, food allergens, campfire smoke, air pollution, mould in the forest, and dust and mould in the cottage. Remember that air quality in a cottage or cabin at summer camp may not be as easy to monitor as it can be at home.

Here are some tips from The Lung Association to help your child take control of their breathing:

1. Air out the cottage before you spend time inside.
2. Take medications as prescribed.
3. Develop a written action plan with your healthcare provider.
4. Keep a fast-acting reliever inhaler (usually a blue one) handy and pack an extra just in case.
5. Check the air quality health index forecast.
6. Before you travel, find the nearest emergency medical service at your destination.

Asthma doesn’t take a holiday, so managing it while away is just as important as it is when at home. If you are sending your child to camp, share their action plan with the staff. Camp staff should have key information, including which medication is taken daily and which is for emergencies, which triggers can cause their asthma symptoms, which signs and symptoms may indicate that they are having an asthma attack, and who are their emergency contacts.

If you have any questions, call The Lung Association Lung Health Information Line at 1-888-344-LUNG, where you can speak to a certified respiratory educator.

SOURCE: News Canada