YORK, Pa. — Asthma flare-ups can get worse at certain times of the year, especially for kids.
Dr. Vinitha Moopen with WellSpan Health has advice for how parents can help their children through a season of flare-ups.
Cold weather--and especially sudden shifts in weather--can contribute to more unbearable symptoms.
"One of the major triggers is viral infections, and then also temperature changes, allergens in the air, so this is a really big time for asthma exasperations," Dr. Moopen said.
Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness can all point to asthma. If your child's doctor suspects they might have the condition, the physician will likely take a complete physical and consider how often the symptoms occur and what triggers them. Kids can be diagnosed around 5 years old with a variety of testing, including chest x-rays or a pulmonary function test.
There are some steps you can take to minimize symptoms.
"Using a humidifier, just making sure that the allergens that they're allergic to, they're not exposed to," Dr. Moopen said.
"If you know your child is allergic to something, please take it out of your home."
Winter can also lead to a rise in other sicknesses such as the common cold and RSV that can interact with asthma.
"The virus can trigger asthma in children who are predisposed," the doctor said. "RSV itself we can't treat with asthma medications; it's not going to help. So if they have had it previously and then they get RSV, yes that can trigger an exacerbation of asthma."
Dr. Moopen says concerned parents can always talk to their doctors, nurses and pediatricians about any worries they may have for their child. If your kid needs to be seen by a doctor, click here to make an appointment with WellSpan.