Susceptibility

• Not every child is susceptible to getting asthma. Although some asthma is induced by exercise, for many the cause is an allergic trigger. If your family has a history of allergies and/or asthma, then your child has a greater chance of having asthma.
  
  

Symptoms

• Because asthma can be confused with sickness, it's important to be able to identify asthmatic symptoms in your child. Listen for wheezing, a whistle-like sound that you will hear when he is breathing. Watch to see if your child is becoming short breathed easily and seems to have excessive nighttime coughing. Chest tightness is another symptom of asthma, but one that can go unnoticed and can also be difficult to explain. If you notice any of these symptoms, see an allergist for proper diagnosis.
  
  

Lung Function Test

• One effective way to diagnose your child is to perform a spirometry test. A spirometer is used to measure the breath's volume and speed, and can quickly assess the severity of your child's asthma. Often, doctors will measure the lung function both before and after medication is given in order to determine the lung potential.
  
  

Skin Prick Test

• Another important test is the skin-prick test. By scratching the skin with specific allergens, an allergist can see immediately what your child is allergic to, along with the severity of his reactions. Some of the most typical asthma offenders are pet dander, dust mites, smoke, molds and even certain weather conditions.
  
  

Treatment

• Once a diagnosis is complete, your child's allergist will likely prescribe a fast-acting inhaler to be used during an asthma attack. If you find that your child is using this medication more than twice a week, speak with your doctor about getting flare-ups under control. There are many preventative inhalers that will keep inflammation down and reduce the frequency of attacks. Another good option is home prevention. Be sure to use HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters on vacuums and air purifiers. HEPA filters are capable of removing micro-sized allergens floating around your house.