Asthma Action Plan For Your Child

Having an asthma action plan for your child is one of the best things you can do to keep asthma under control.

An action plan clearly shows how your child is doing and what to do when problems start.

And because asthma affects everyone differently, that asthma action plan is designed just for your child.

An asthma action plan has three zones that are based on your child's symptoms.

The green zone is where you want your child to be every day.

It's where symptoms are under control, and asthma isn't getting in the way.

In the green zone, your child rarely wheezes and can sleep and play without any problems.

Your child moves into the yellow zone when symptoms start getting worse.

Your child may start wheezing more often, for example.

The action plan will list specific things you need to do when your child is in the yellow zone, things like adjusting the medicine, keeping a closer watch on symptoms, and calling the doctor's office.

These steps will help get your child back to the green zone as soon as possible.

If your child moves into the red zone, that means trouble, and you need to take fast action to get asthma under control.

You'll need to adjust your child's medicine right away and track symptoms.

And based on the instructions in the plan, you may need to take your child to the doctor right away.

With an action plan, you always know what to do if symptoms ever put your child in the red zone.

Give copies of your child's action plan to child care workers, the school principal, teachers, and coaches so they know exactly what to do during an asthma attack.

Having an asthma action plan for your child gives you peace of mind.

It takes the guesswork out of treating your child's symptoms.

And it can keep symptoms from getting worse, which means fewer visits to the doctor.

Once children get old enough, they can learn to follow their plan themselves.