Asthma / Allergy

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease. It affects your airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. When you have asthma, your airways can become inflamed and narrowed. This can cause wheezing, coughing, and tightness in your chest. When these symptoms get worse than usual, it is called an asthma attack or flare-up.

What causes asthma in children ?

Allergic asthma is caused by allergens. Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction. They can include:

•   Dust mites
•   Mold
•   Pets
•   Pollen from grass, trees, and weeds
•   Waste from pests such as cockroaches and mice

Nonallergic asthma is caused by triggers that are not allergens, such as

•  Breathing in cold air.
•  Certain medicines.
•  Household chemicals.
•   Infections such as colds and the flu.
•  Outdoor air pollution.
•  Tobacco smoke.

What are allergies in children ?

Allergies are problems of the immune system. Most allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to a “false alarm.” Normally, the human body defends itself against harmful things such as viruses or bacteria. But sometimes the defenses violently attack mostly mild things, such as dust, mold, or pollen.

Common Allergy Triggers in Children -

• Outdoors :   Tree pollen, plant pollen, insect bites or stings.
• Indoors :  Pet or animal hair or fur, dust mites, mold.
• Irritants :  Cigarette smoke, perfume, car exhaust.
• Foods :   Peanuts, eggs, milk and milk products.