Health Information and Tools > Patient Care Handouts >  Learning About Your Child's Asthma Triggers

Main Content

Learning About Your Child's Asthma Triggers

When your child has asthma, certain things can make their symptoms worse. These are called triggers. Common triggers include smoke, air pollution, getting sick, and things your child is allergic to.

Learning what triggers your child's asthma is one way to help manage it. Then you may be able to help your child avoid the things that trigger their symptoms. Share these triggers with your child's doctor. The doctor may have other ideas that can help.

Here are some ways you can help your child avoid a few common triggers.

Remind your child to wash their hands often. This can help them avoid getting sick.

Don't smoke or vape or let anyone smoke or vape near your child. If you need help quitting or cutting back, talk to your doctor.

Try to have your child stay inside when air pollution, wildfire smoke, and pollen levels are high. Close the windows and use an air conditioner or air filter, if you can.

Help your child avoid indoor triggers. Open the windows when the air inside is smoky or if it's smelly from cleaning products.

Make sure your child gets the recommended vaccines. These include an annual influenza (flu) vaccine, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and maybe getting a pneumococcal vaccine. Ask your child's doctor.

Talk with your child's doctor. Asthma management is a partnership. The doctor can help.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter F670 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Your Child's Asthma Triggers".

Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.