Despite popular
misconceptions, spending time outside is healthy for children
with asthma.
Recent studies have suggested that asthma
becomes more severe in children with low levels of vitamin D.
Since vitamin D is produced by the body’s response to sun
exposure and dietary consumption, children do not receive sufficient
levels without spending some time outside.
Control is
key
Although allergens and outdoor activity can
trigger asthma attacks in a child with uncontrolled asthma, they pose
no threat to a child whose asthma is under
control.
“If a child’s asthma is
well-controlled, he or she should be outside just as much as any other
child,” says Christine Wagner, asthma nurse
practitioner for the Comprehensive Asthma Center. “We
don’t want to limit them. We want to control the disease, but
restricting activity and time outside is not how we want to control the
disease.”
Controlling asthma can be as simple as
taking controller medications, adjusting environmental factors
and receiving the appropriate therapy. Parents should contact
their healthcare provider to understand what specific treatment their
child needs. Parents should also seek advice from their healthcare
provider about how much time their child should be spending in
the sunlight to receive sufficient vitamin D.
How
much exposure?
The general rule is that spending 20 minutes
outside twice a week should suffice. However, children with darker
skin may require more time, and children with lighter skin may
need less time. Your child’s pediatrician should be able to
discern what level of sunscreen is appropriate for
your child.
Wagner says all children should wear
sunglasses to prevent cataracts from sun damage. Otherwise, she says
children with asthma should just get outside and have fun.
“There are Olympic and professional athletes with
significant asthma,” Wagner says. “So, obviously there is no
reason to restrict outdoor exposure or exercise because of
asthma.”
Learn more about allergies, asthma and
immunology in the Children’s Health Library.
