At these times try to remember that death from asthma is extremely rare in children. There is a far greater chance of them dying on the roads than dying of asthma. So while your anxiety is justified, the right to a normal childhood is also important. It is important for children to “fit in” and to be one of the crowd. Feeling left out or different can lead to feelings of isolation.

Its a juggling act and obviously the rules are going to vary according to the severity of your child’s asthma. With sensible care an asthmatic child should be able to lead a normal life. Once a children has become frightened about their asthma then they may lose confidence and stop doing physical exercise or going to places where they have had asthma attacks in the past.

Other asthmatic children develop a different attitude and go all out to show others that they are just as good as non-asthmatics and can over do it sometimes proving this. These children may become sensitive or embarrassed about taking their medication in front of others and refuse to acknowledge that they have a problem.

To help your child have a life which is as normal as possible, try the following:

Find out about your child's medication - what it does and when to use it
 
Use the reliever medication only as it is needed - do not use it as a preventer
 
Use medication through a spacer or aerochamber because (A) this lowers the chance of oral thrush from inhaled steroids and (B) it is an easier way for children to get maximum benefit from the reliever inhaler.
 
Teach your child what their medication is for and how to use it correctly
 
Encourage your child to breathe through their nose as much as possible
 
Avoid giving your child chocolate and milk when they are wheezy. Calcium and minerals can be obtained in other ways.
 
Don't smoke around your children
 
Encourage quiet activities such as reading or colouring when the child has mild asthma - you may stop it developing into a more severe attack
 
Avoid known or suspected allergens where possible and within reason
 
Keep an asthma diary. Note when and where asthma symptoms occur, what activities were performed and what foods have been eaten in the few hours before the symptoms started. Also note symptoms and dosage of medication needed to bring the attack under control
 
Remain calm when your child has an asthma attack
 
Have an Asthma Management Plan prepared. This is what you and your child's course of action will be when an asthma attack begins
 
Be prepared to keep the child at home from school if you think the child is getting asthma
 
Teach you child how to recognise their breathing difficulties and when medication is needed
 
Encourage participation in sports. Swimming in particular seems to be beneficial unless the child is allergic to chlorine. Swimming in cold water is also known to trigger some children’s asthma symptoms so a heated pool may be necessary. A fit child copes better with asthma than one who has flabby muscles or who is over-weight
 
Several small meals a day are often better than three large ones. If asthma is hovering in the background a large meal can trigger symptoms
 
Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids, especially when asthma is present