Asthma is a common problem in children, and its effects can be serious. Your pediatrician can help treat and manage your child’s asthma, so you can both breathe easier.

The first step in managing your child’s asthma is to have your child tested for allergies. After allergy testing, your pediatrician may recommend allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy drops to limit your child’s allergy symptoms.

Along with allergy treatment, your pediatrician will also treat your child’s asthma with short-term rescue inhalers and long-term asthma medications.

Other important tips to modify your child’s environment to prevent asthma include using hypoallergenic sheets, vacuuming frequently, dusting furniture, installing an air purifier, keeping pets off furniture, and keeping doors and windows closed in spring and summer.

An asthma attack can become a life-threatening emergency, so contact emergency services if your child is unable to speak due to breathing difficulties, severely gasping and wheezing even with medications, or breathing so deeply that their chest gets sucked underneath their ribcage.