What is asthma?

Asthma is a reversible narrowing of the airways in the lungs. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing (particularly at night), chest tightness,
difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath.

Asthma is a manageable health condition. Although at present there is no cure, with good management, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.

Is my baby likely to develop asthma?

Asthma is common among Australian children. Some babies are more likely to develop asthma. The reasons behind this are still not clear but we do know that the development of asthma may be more likely if:

there is a family history of asthma.
the mother smokes during pregnancy or the baby is exposed to passive smoke.

What can you do?

Protect bedding (mattresses, pillows, quilts or doonas) with dust-proof covers (called encasings) that reduce the levels of house dust mite.

Where possible, wash bedding items weekly in hot water. The water temperature should be 55°C or more.

Do not use a sheepskin as under bedding.

Use low allergen bedding. Feather pillows and quilts have substantially lower mite allergen levels than synthetic.

Even if you carry out these suggestions you may not be able to prevent your child from developing asthma.