With the onset of autumn and winter season, many parents get worry about their baby’s health. First time parents may be especially concerned when their babies have health problem. As babies are unable to communicate with their parents, the situation can get tough.
Asthma attacks are common in winter season. With pollution in the air and pollen’s everywhere, your child may be vulnerable to such attacks. Many children develop asthma before 5 years of age.
Causes Of Asthma In Babies:
Asthma can be seasonal or caused due to activities, pollution, chemical, etc. If you think your child is showing signs and symptoms of asthma then it is important that you start off with early diagnosis.
Asthma in infants can be classified into two groups – allergic and non-allergic. It is important that you understand the triggers which affect your baby and how to avoid them.
1. Allergy-Based Asthma:
Dust, pollen, pets can have an adverse reaction to your baby.
- Investigate any kind of allergy which may be present at your home.
- You can check your baby’s contact with pets to ensure any allergy symptom.
- If any of the above things cause your baby an episodic attack, then it is referred as allergy asthma.
2. Non-Allergic Asthma:
In non allergy, asthma, you will find your baby getting distressed without any allergic reaction.
- Here the asthma occurs because of inflammation of the airways.
- This kind of asthma can be tough to understand when an episode will occurs.
- The trigger includes chemicals, environment, perfume, heavy exercise, etc.
Sign And Symptoms Of Asthma:
Not all infants have common symptoms of asthma. It can vary each time in the same child. Here are some possible signs and symptoms of asthma in babies.
- Chronic Cough occurring frequently while playing, laughing, at night while sleeping
- Less energy
- Rapid breathing
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing when breathing in and out
- Shortage of breath
- Tiredness
- Retraction in the chest
- Muscle and neck pain
Let your child’s doctor evaluate the illness. Most babies with shortage of breath and cough will not have asthma till the age 6. Therefore, many pediatricians use the term bronchitis or reactive airways disease instead of asthma.
Understanding Asthma Emergencies:
Asthma attack can be life threatening and require immediate attention and treatment. The following are the signs and symptom of an emergency:
- Out of breath.
- Trying to breath hard, which is causing abdomen suck under the ribs.
- Troubled speaking.
Treatment For Infantile Asthma:
Your pediatrician will prescribe medicine for your baby to get relief from asthma symptoms. There are certain medicines approved only for children, but your doctor will prescribe them based on his judgment.
- Your family medical history will be looked thoroughly to understand the problem.
- Then your doctor may check if your baby’s asthma was caused due to viral infection, exposure to fumes and dust or while playing.
- Reliever inhalers, which are usually blue color, may be prescribed by the doctor.
- There is medication which is needed to be taken on a long-term basis to keep the problem in control.
- Over the counter medicine, or any other alternative medication is not recommended as they can block the air passage and make the situation worse.
- Your doctor will provide well written daily routine for your baby; all you need to do is follow it accordingly. Make sure your baby takes the medicines every day without fail.
We hope this article has eased some of your concerns about infantile asthma. Though it can be challenging, with proper treatment and regular medication, your baby can outwit his asthma condition and grow up to be a kid who can play any sports.
