Pediatric Asthma
This page covers asthma in children — Asthma & Allergy Care, P.C. treats both children and adults across our New Jersey offices.
What Childhood Asthma Is
Asthma is a condition that affects a child's airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In a child with asthma, these airways become inflamed and narrow. That makes it harder for air to move in and out, which is why breathing can feel difficult.
Asthma affects children differently. Some children have symptoms only now and then, often triggered by a cold, exercise, or something in their environment. Others have symptoms more often. Either way, the underlying issue is the same: inflamed, narrowed airways that make breathing harder than it should be.
Asthma & Allergy Care, P.C. evaluates and treats asthma in children of all ages, alongside our adult patients, across our New Jersey offices.
Symptoms Parents Notice
These are common signs of asthma in children. If your child has any of these, it's worth having them evaluated.
Coughing, especially at night or early morning
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Getting out of breath more easily than other children during play or sport
Coughing or wheezing that gets worse with colds
How We Evaluate It
Evaluating asthma in a child starts with understanding your child as an individual. We use these methods:
A Full History
We start by talking with you and your child about symptoms, when they happen, and what seems to trigger them.
A Physical Examination
A hands-on exam helps us understand how your child is breathing and rule out other causes.
Allergy Skin Testing, Where Relevant
If allergies may be contributing to your child's asthma, we may recommend allergy skin testing to identify triggers.
Breathing Tests, Where Appropriate
For children old enough to perform them reliably, breathing tests can help us understand how well the airways are working.
How We Treat It
Our approach to treating childhood asthma includes:
Managing Medication
We help you manage your child's asthma medication so it fits their day-to-day life.
Identifying and Avoiding Triggers
We work with you to identify what triggers your child's asthma and how to reduce exposure to it.
Allergy Shots, Where Appropriate
When allergies are contributing to your child's asthma, allergy shots may be appropriate as part of their treatment.
An Individual Asthma Action Plan
We build an asthma action plan specific to your child and review it with you over time.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Visit
A little preparation makes your child's first visit go smoothly.
Plan for a Longer Visit
Your child's first appointment takes longer than a routine visit, so we can take a full history and get to know your child.
Bring Your Insurance Card
Please bring your insurance card, along with any referral your plan requires.
Bring a Medication List
A list of the medications your child currently takes helps us understand their full picture.
Complete Forms in Advance
You can save time by completing your child's forms in advance from our Patient Forms page. Visit Patient Forms