Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is inflammation and tightening of the small airways in the lungs. In allergic children, the airway lining overreacts to inhaled triggers such as house dust mite, pollen or smoke, swelling up and producing extra mucus. This narrows the space air can move through, which is why breathing becomes hard work during a flare.

Common symptoms

• Recurrent wheeze — a whistling sound, especially breathing out
• Persistent or night-time cough, often worse with exercise or cold air
• Breathlessness or rapid breathing
• Chest tightness in older children who can describe it
• Reduced activity tolerance during play or sport

What triggers it

In most children with allergic asthma, flares are set off by inhaled allergens like house dust mite, pollen and pet dander, alongside non-allergic triggers such as viral colds, smoke, agarbatti/incense fumes, cold air and vigorous exercise.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is built from a detailed symptom and family history, examination, and where appropriate, lung function testing (spirometry in children old enough to perform it) plus skin prick testing to identify which allergens are actually driving the child's flares — self-reported triggers are often inaccurate, so objective testing matters.

Treatment approach

• Reliever inhalers for quick relief during symptoms
• Controller/preventer therapy (usually inhaled corticosteroids) for children with frequent or persistent symptoms
• Trigger identification and avoidance once allergy testing confirms the causes
• Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in selected dust mite or pollen-driven cases
• A written asthma action plan so parents know when to step up treatment or seek emergency care

When to seek urgent care

Fast breathing, visible chest indrawing, difficulty speaking in full sentences, blue lips, or no relief from the reliever inhaler are emergency signs — seek immediate medical attention.