We understand that getting your child's asthma diagnosis can bring a mix of emotions. You might feel relieved to have it confirmed, but you may also feel scared or sad.
Continuing your child’s asthma treatment
If you've been waiting for a diagnosis, your child might be taking asthma medicines already. If your child's GP or nurse thinks the treatment is working well, your child will probably carry on with these.
But sometimes it can take time to find the right treatment for your child. Your child's GP or nurse may want to try other asthma treatments to help them manage their symptoms.
Take your child to their asthma review appointments to make sure they're on the best treatment plan. An asthma review is an annual check-up with your child's GP or nurse. Read more about your child's asthma review.
Telling people who care for your child
If anyone cares for your child, you should tell them they have asthma. This could be their teacher, childminder, or nursery worker.
Talking through your child's asthma action plan with people who look after your child can help them understand what to do in an emergency.
You could give them a printed copy to keep or share a saved copy from your phone. It's also helpful to show them how to use your child's medicines, so they can help if they need to.
- if your child is aged six to 11, you can download our child asthma action plan
- if your child is over 12, you might want to download our adult asthma action plan.
Read more about leaving your child with other people when they have asthma.
It's important to follow your child's asthma action plan so you and others know how to help your child stay well.
If your child goes to school or nursery
You can ask your child's school or nursery about keeping a spare reliever inhaler and spacer there. Read more about talking to your child's school or nursery about their asthma.
Getting the right information and support
We have lots of information to help guide you after your child is diagnosed with asthma.
You can find expert advice to help you
- explain asthma to your child
- understand your child's asthma triggers. Your child's asthma symptoms might be triggered by things like cold weather and allergies. This is different for everyone
- keep your child active
- improve your child's sleep
- clean and maintain your child's inhalers
- transition from child to adult asthma care. This often happens between the ages of 16 to 18, but it can vary.
Making time for your health and wellbeing
It's important to make sure you're looking after yourself too.
- You could join our parent and carer support network. These are friendly spaces where you can talk to other parents and carers of children with asthma
- You can find advice for some worries that parents and carers often have about their child and asthma
- If you want to talk to someone, you can visit Health Unlocked or call our Helpline on 0300 222 5800.
Read inspiring stories from parents and carers of children with asthma.
Get support
Call our Helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.
