The onset of winter can trigger asthma symptoms for many children. Because people remain inside during winter, indoor air quality often becomes poor, allowing colds and flu to move through families, schools and communities quickly. As homes become tightly sealed with closed windows, air becomes trapped — with less ventilation, irritants that trigger asthma become more concentrated.

Along with common asthma triggers (dust, pet dander, pollens, molds, tobacco smoke), fumes from holiday fireplaces and wood stoves may also contribute to poor air quality.

Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. It is important to talk with your child's doctor if you are concerned he or she may have asthma, because there are other, less common illnesses that can also cause similar symptoms.

"The number one reason for hospital asthma admissions in the winter is colds, even among those with allergy-mediated asthma," said Dr. Peter Luckett, chief of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine at Children's and medical director of the hospital's Asthma Management Program, the first disease-specific asthma management program certified by The Joint Commission in the state of Texas and the third in the nation. "In families with asthmatic children, apart from avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke, diligent hand washing may be the most important thing you can do this time of year."

10 tips to help "asthma-proof" your home

1. Keep children away from second-hand tobacco smoke. Insist that smokers go outside or smoke away from children. Do not allow anyone to smoke in the car when children are present.

2. Wood stoves and fireplaces must be vented to the outside, with good draft and well-functioning chimneys. Never burn other items that could release irritants or create airborne toxins. Keep as much smoke out of the room as possible by closing fireplace doors.

3. Use only clean-burning candles. Plain, unscented natural beeswax candles have a light scent without added perfumes and dyes.

4. Avoid bedding or pillows stuffed with down, feathers or foam rubber. Cover all pillows and mattress with dust-proof, "hypoallergenic" allergen-impermeable fabric cases. Wash stuffed animals and plush toys regularly to combat dust mites.

5. Wash bedding once a week in hot water, and dry in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes to eliminate dust mites. New research suggests that reducing dust mites has the strongest impact of all environmental strategies for reducing asthma triggers in homes.

6. Dust and vacuum when your child is out of the room. Use a damp cloth for dusting and a vacuum that collects and traps dust mites, such as one with a double bag or HEPA (high energy efficiency particulate air) filter.

7. Keep pets off of furniture and out of your child's room.

8. Use HEPA air filters in key locations in your home, especially in your child's bedroom.

9. Do your best to rid your home of pests. Roaches and other pests carry allergens.

10. Keep your child's medicines on hand and up-to-date — especially asthma inhalers or allergy injections.

Resources
Asthma Management Program