Helping children with asthma to stay well

Children and young people with asthma or suspected asthma are being encouraged to come forward for lifesaving checks.

Across the UK, up to 30 children die every year from asthma.

With fewer children being diagnosed since the Covid-19 pandemic, the NHS is working hard to improve diagnosis and provide better support to those affected.

NHS Kent and Medway has launched its ‘safer asthma’ campaign during #AskAboutAsthma week (9 to 15 September) to raise awareness of three simple steps which can help children and young people to manage their condition.

Do you know a child who has asthma? They need to:

• see a healthcare professional once a year
• get their inhaler technique checked
• get a written asthma action plan (for school and home).

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood.

It is caused by swelling of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. This makes the tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily narrow.

The main symptoms are a whistling sound when breathing (wheezing), breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing. Not all children and young people with asthma will have a wheeze.   

There's no cure, but there are simple treatments and lifestyle changes that can help keep the symptoms under control. 

Poor air quality can make it harder for people with asthma to breathe. This includes smoking, household damp and mould, pollution and sprayed chemicals. 

Other triggers include allergies, exercise and cold and flu infections. 

Young athletes with asthma 

Young athletes in Kent and Medway have shared their experiences living with asthma while participating in competitive sports. 

The film from NHS Kent and Medway, in partnership with Medway Council, shows how young people can still lead an active life if their condition is well managed. 

Faye Hinsley, Clinical Lead for Children and Young People at NHS Kent and Medway said: “Your GP or nurse can provide advice and support to help children and young people to control their asthma. They can check medications are right, advise on inhaler technique and discuss an asthma action plan.

“An asthma action plan helps you know what to do if it gets harder for your child to breathe. Your child’s school should also have a copy, so it knows what to do.

“Poor air quality affects people with asthma, making it harder for them to breathe. 

“Smoking, vaping, household damp and mould, pollution and sprayed chemicals in the environment are not safe for children with asthma. 

“Making small changes like changing the route you walk to school, turning your car engine off at school drop off and collection can have a huge impact. You can help protect those you love by protecting the air they breathe.”