Treating Your Child's Asthma In A Hot, Muggy Climate

Posted on: 26 April 2019

Suffering from asthma can be tough at any temperature—but for those living in hot, humid, muggy climates, the moisture in the air can make breathing even tougher. Children who have asthma can be especially vulnerable to the dangers of high humidity, as their nasal passages are smaller and more prone to swelling shut at high moisture levels. If moving to a less humid climate just isn't in the cards for your family, avail yourselves of the following tips and tricks to reduce the impact of asthma on your child.

Use a Dehumidifier

Even if there's nothing you can do about the outside temperatures and humidity levels, keeping your home cool and low-moisture can make breathing easier. By putting a dehumidifier in your child's room, you'll be able to maintain a constant humidity level all night long; for houses in especially humid locations, a whole-house dehumidifier can work with your air conditioner to keep your home cool and fresh.

Dehumidifiers can be especially beneficial for children who require nightly breathing treatments with a nebulizer or similar device; because these devices can increase the humidity in the room, having a dehumidifier available to draw it back out can minimize any disruption to the nasal passages.

Purchase a HEPA Filter

One of the biggest problems with humid air is its propensity to trap airborne particles and irritants like dust, dirt, pollen, and pet dander. Even if your child suffers only from asthma, not allergies, inhaling these particles can cause irritation that tightens the nasal passages. By using a HEPA air filter, you can remove these particles from the air and help your whole family to breathe more easily.

Investigate Your Rescue Inhaler Options

If your child is old enough to use a rescue inhaler, summer is often the best time to start. Having a rescue inhaler on hand to use when airways become tight can allow your child to participate in sports, visit the playground, and take part in other active outdoor activities. In general, a rescue inhaler can be used several times a day with no ill effects.

But it's important not to push things too early—even if your child's rescue inhaler works well, you'll want to take other precautions like avoiding outdoor exertion during the hottest times of day, ensuring your child remains properly hydrated, and dressing him or her in loose, light-colored clothing to allow body heat and moisture to easily escape.

For more information, contact a company like Allergy & Asthma Centers SC.

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