Q&As

Articles In This Section

• A Cold or Allergies: Which Is It?

  Is it a cold or allergies? Find out what the experts have to say.

• Can Kids Get Allergies All Year?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Inhaler or Nebulizer: Which One Should My Child Use?

  Nebulizers and inhalers deliver asthma medicine to the lungs, and they work equally well when the correct technique is used.

• Can the Weather Affect My Child’s Asthma?

  While the effect of weather on asthma symptoms isn't fully understood, some kids' symptoms get worse at specific times of year or during a severe storm or sudden weather change.

• Can Kids and Teens With Asthma Play Sports?

  You might remember a time when kids who had asthma were discouraged from playing sports and told to take it easy. That's no longer the case.

• What’s a Peak Flow Meter?

  An inexpensive, portable device called a peak flow meter measures lung function in kids with asthma, which can help them manage the condition and avoid major flare-ups.

• What’s the Difference Between a Nebulizer and an Inhaler?

  Inhalers and nebulizers are two different devices used to get rescue or controller asthma medications directly into the lungs. Find out how they work.

• What’s an Asthma Action Plan?

  An asthma action plan (also called a management plan) is a written plan that you develop with your child's doctor to help control your child's asthma.

• What’s an Asthma Flare-Up?

  When symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, become more severe, more frequent, or both, it's known as an asthma flare-up.

• What if My Child Doesn’t Take His or Her Asthma Medication?

  One of the best ways to help kids manage asthma, besides avoiding triggers, is to make sure they take their medicine as prescribed.

• If My Child Has Asthma, Can We Keep Our Pet?

  At least 30% of people with asthma are allergic to animals. So if your child has asthma, consider whether your pet could be producing allergens that trigger asthma symptoms.

• What’s the Difference Between Quick-Relief and Long-Term Control Medicines?

  Asthma medicine comes in two main types: quick-relief and long-term control medicines. Even if a child takes a long-term control medicine regularly, quick-relief medicine is still needed to handle flare-ups.

• How Can I Help My Child Cooperate While Using the Nebulizer?

  Nebulizers are often used with young children because they require little effort on the child's part. But kids do need to stay in one place and cooperate. If you have a young child, you know how challenging that can be.