GALVESTON, Texas - With summer in full swing, children may be looking forward to sleep-away camp, bike riding and baseball. However, for parents of kids with asthma, increased time outdoors means more worry, often forcing kids to sit out the fun indoors.

According to Dr. Edward Brooks, director of the Children's Asthma Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, understanding lesser-known asthma triggers and warning signs of a pending asthma attack can help parents and their children better manage the disease, which may lead to more carefree summer days outside than they thought was possible. "Asthma can be frightening for kids and parents alike, and if unmanaged it can worsen," says Brooks. "But with improved understanding of the disease, children can learn how to better control symptoms and attacks rather abstain from the activities that all kids should enjoy." Brooks offers the following lesser-known triggers, warning signs and management techniques:
  • Scents don't make sense for children with asthma. Air fresheners, detergent and scented candles are common aggravators and should be not be used in the home.
  • Rethink house cleaning. Common household cleaning supplies, paints and other products release volatile organic compounds that can trigger asthma.  
  • Air pollutants come in many forms. In addition to the above, secondhand tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust and combustion sources at home (candles, incense, stoves, space heaters, fireplaces, barbecue pits) all produce byproducts that can worsen or induce asthma. Exposure to these should be avoided - either by not using them or by improving ventilation.  
  • Meteorologists can help predict bad asthma days. Ozone, pollen, mold and other air pollutants aggravate asthma. Seasonal weather changes or sudden shifts, such as a severe storm, are known to worsen asthma. Stay one step ahead by checking local weather forecasts and be prepared for days where conditions are unfavorable. Web sites like Weather.com offer easy-to-look-up air quality reports.  
  • Ease in to exercise. Teach children to start with a slow warm-up with 5-10 minutes of walking or other light activity and stretching before exercise to prevent asthma attacks.  
  • Wash away the triggers. The impact of triggers like allergens and viruses can be minimized with frequent and effective hand washing.  
  • Don't write-off that cough. If asthma is the suspected cause of an unhealthy sounding cough, consult a physician. If possible, seek the expertise of a respiratory therapist or pulmonologist. The doctor will work with the family to develop an individual asthma plan and prescribe appropriate medications.  
  • Help your child be a good sport. All children can and should want to play and be active; if yours is making excuses to stay inside, it could be asthma. Other warning signs are so mild you may not realize they're related to asthma at all, such as increased thirst, headaches or mood changes.  
  • Build an asthma team. Give camp counselors, coaches and other adults responsible for your child a copy of their asthma management plan. In addition to providing details about your child's individual warning signs, the plan tells them what medications to use to prevent asthma, how to administer them and what to do if your child has an asthma episode.  
  • Attack asthma before asthma attacks. Administer proper medications at the first sign of a runny nose or cough. Taking preventive measures can keep asthma from becoming more serious.