CAMAF Member Option Guides & Info

7 • Irritants in the air including smoke from CigaReTTeS, Wood fiReS, oR ChaRCoal gRillS can cause asthma symptoms to appear. Also, strong fumes or odors like household sprays, paint, gasoline, perfumes, and scented soaps can be an irritant and can aggravate inflamed, sensitive airways. • Respiratory infections such as ColdS, flu, SoRe ThRoaTS, and SinuS infeCTionS may cause asthma symptoms. • exeRCiSe, especially in cold air, can be a frequent asthma trigger. • Weather such as dRy Wind, Cold aiR, oR Sudden ChangeS in WeaTheR can sometimes bring on an asthma episode. • fuRRy and feaTheRy animalS like cats, dogs, and caged birds. Allergies are caused by the body's reaction to a protein found in the animal's dander (dead skin flakes), saliva, urine, and feathers. • duST miTeS are tiny bugs you can't see and is a common asthma trigger. They live in sheets, blankets, pillows, mattresses, soft furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys. it may be impossible to avoid all of your triggers but once you have identified them, there are things you can do to help you reduce unnecessary symptoms and better control your asthma. Contact your respiratory case manager – who will then advise you as to how you could avoid your triggers. DiAGnOsis To properly diagnose asthma, a physician will take your child's medical history and conduct a physical exam that includes special attention to the ears, eyes, nose, throat, skin, chest and lungs. A lung function test can detect possible limitations in your child's breathing and may be performed on your child if older than 7 years, as this test is difficult to perform for children younger than 7 years old. In some cases, additional tests are done, such as a chest or sinus X-ray's. meDiCines fOr yOUr ChiLD There are many things that you can do to take control of your child's asthma and minimize its impact on your activities. For example, you can remove or avoid those things in your environment that you know that make your child's asthma worse. If these measures are not enough, your child may have to take medications that are available to control symptoms. There are two main types of asthma medicines, called relievers and controllers, and they work in different ways. Most asthma medicines are breathed in through an inhaler. This is a very effective way of taking the medicine, as it goes straight to the lungs. Inhalers can be in a spray form (aerosol) or a dry powder form. Aerosol inhalers can be taken through a device called a spacer. Spacers make your child's inhaler easier to use and more effective.

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