Asthma Children And Smoking

Overview

Asthma is a long-term condition where the airways in the lungs become narrow and swollen, making it hard to breathe. When a child with asthma breathes in secondhand smoke, it can irritate their airways and trigger symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Reducing exposure to smoke is one of the most important ways to help a child with asthma stay well.

Asthma is the most common long-term condition in childhood. Many children with asthma have a parent or caregiver who smokes, which makes their asthma harder to control.

It usually starts in childhood, often before age 5. Children are especially sensitive to tobacco smoke, both before birth (if their mother smokes during pregnancy) and after birth through secondhand smoke.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• coughing, especially at night or early morning
• wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing out
• feeling short of breath, especially during exercise or play
• a tight feeling in the chest

Symptoms in children

• a cough that won't go away or gets worse after exercise or laughing
• fast or noisy breathing
• tiring quickly during play or not keeping up with friends
• fewer good nights' sleep because of coughing

Symptoms in older adults

• In older adults, the main symptoms are similar — breathlessness, wheeze, and persistent cough. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other long-term conditions, so they should always be checked by a healthcare professional.

Causes

Main causes

• The exact cause of asthma is not fully understood. It involves inflammation in the airways, making them sensitive to triggers.
• Cigarette smoke is one of the strongest triggers. Breathing in secondhand smoke can irritate the airways and bring on symptoms.
• If a mother smokes during pregnancy, the baby's lungs may not develop fully, raising the risk of asthma.

Risk factors

• having a family history of asthma, eczema, or allergies
• living with adults who smoke or use e-cigarettes (vaping) with nicotine
• growing up in a house with damp, mould, or poor air quality
• being born prematurely

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Call your local emergency number immediately if your child has severe breathing difficulty.
• Seek same-day medical care if your child's reliever inhaler is not helping symptoms.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Make a routine appointment to discuss possible asthma symptoms such as a lingering cough, wheeze, or breathlessness.
• If you smoke or vape and live with a child who has asthma, talk to your GP or practice nurse about support to stop.

Diagnosis

A doctor will take a detailed history of your child's symptoms, listen to their chest, and ask about their environment, including exposure to tobacco smoke. They may also ask about family history of allergies and asthma. In younger children, diagnosis can take time because symptoms can also be due to viral infections.

Tests that may be done

• Lung function tests (for older children) where the child blows into a tube to measure airflow
• A peak flow meter, which measures how fast the child can breathe out, used daily at home
• A trial of reliever treatment to see if symptoms improve
• Allergy skin or blood tests if allergies are suspected

What to expect at your appointment

Expect to answer questions about coughing, wheezing, sleep, and how smoking is handled in the home. The doctor may ask you not to smoke indoors or in the car. You will be able to ask questions and leave with a clear plan.

Treatment

The main goals are to control symptoms and avoid triggers. The most powerful trigger to remove is tobacco smoke. Your child's healthcare team will help you create an asthma action plan that explains when to use medicines and what to do if symptoms get worse.

Self-care at home

• Keep your house and car smoke-free at all times
• Do not allow anyone to smoke near your child, and stop smoking if you can — your local stop-smoking service can help
• Use the asthma action plan from your healthcare team, making sure it is up to date
• Avoid other triggers like mould, strong cleaning fumes, and wood smoke where possible

Medical treatments

Children with asthma are usually treated with inhalers. There are two main types: preventer inhalers (taken regularly to reduce inflammation in the airways) and reliever inhalers (used when symptoms appear). Some children may need other add-on treatments if asthma is not well controlled, but all medication is prescribed by a doctor and should be used exactly as advised.

Living with this condition

Asthma can be controlled with daily practices. Follow the asthma action plan, give preventer medicines as prescribed even when your child feels fine, and always have the reliever inhaler on hand. Review the plan regularly with your healthcare team.

Lifestyle tips

• Make sure your child's school or nursery knows about their asthma and has the action plan
• Encourage physical activity; most children with asthma can exercise, and regular activity helps the lungs
• Support your child to understand their condition as they grow, using simple words
• If you smoke or vape, ask your pharmacist or GP about free quit-smoking support

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet to cure asthma, but eating well keeps the whole body healthier. Encourage your child to play and exercise regularly. Warm up before physical activity, and if exercise triggers symptoms, use their reliever inhaler before exercise as advised by the doctor.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Living with asthma can cause anxiety for both children and parents. Some children worry about attacks or feeling different. It helps to talk openly, reassure them that they can still do normal things, and involve them in their own care. If you or your child feel overwhelmed, speak to your GP. If anyone is in crisis, call your local emergency number or a crisis helpline.

Prevention

You can't always prevent asthma, but you can prevent symptoms and asthma attacks by removing smoke from your child's environment. Stopping smoking during pregnancy and never exposing children to secondhand smoke reduces the chance of asthma developing and getting worse.

Vaccines

Make sure your child has all regular immunisations, including the annual flu vaccine if offered. Respiratory infections can trigger asthma, so keeping infections down helps.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for asthma, but if there is a family history, tell your doctor. They may monitor your child earlier.

Complications

If left untreated

• frequent asthma attacks that may require emergency care
• poor sleep and tiredness because of coughing at night
• missing school, and missing out on sport and play
• long-term airway damage in severe cases, which affects breathing in adulthood

Long-term outlook

The outlook is good. With proper medical care, an asthma action plan, and a completely smoke-free home, most children with asthma can play, sleep, learn, and enjoy a normal life. Many children grow out of some symptoms, though asthma may stay with them into adulthood. There is every reason to be hopeful.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.