How to look after your child’s asthma this summer
Essential tips to manage your child's asthma over summer holidays and prevent attacks when school resumes.
Unfortunately, asthma doesn’t take a summer break. Every 20 seconds, a child is admitted to hospital because of an asthma attack. According to Asthma UK, children with the condition are nearly three times more likely to end up in hospital when they return to school in September compared to August. Managing asthma over the summer holidays is crucial to prevent this spike, as lapses in preventer medication leave airways unprotected against back-to-school triggers like colds and flu viruses.
Sonia Munde, head of services at Asthma UK, explains that consistent use of preventer inhalers builds protection over time, reducing airway inflammation and sensitivity to summer triggers such as pollen or pets. Studies confirm that skipping controller medications during summer—often called a ‘drug holiday’—increases fall asthma flares, hospitalizations, and the September asthma peak after school starts. With one in 11 children affected by asthma, proactive management ensures they enjoy summer activities safely.
This guide covers expert strategies to maintain routines, share care responsibilities, prepare for emergencies, pack for trips, and tackle summer-specific triggers like heat, pollen, and thunderstorms. By following these steps, parents can help their children avoid attacks and thrive through holidays and beyond.
Share the care
With school out, children spend more time with family, friends, camps, or babysitters, making it vital to share their asthma management plan. Store a photo of your child’s written asthma action plan on your phone and distribute it to all caregivers. This personalized document, available for free download from Asthma UK, outlines daily medications, symptom warning signs, and response steps, building confidence for everyone involved.
If your child lacks an action plan, consult their GP or asthma nurse to create one immediately. It details green (well-controlled), amber (worsening), and red (emergency) zones with specific actions[10]. During summer, this sharing prevents gaps in care, especially as routines shift. For instance, camps or sports coaches need to know pre-exercise reliever use or trigger avoidance.
Visual aids like a wall medicine chart or phone reminders reinforce adherence. Munde emphasizes that topping up preventer inhalers daily maintains lung protection, countering the temptation to skip doses when symptoms ease in warmer weather. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) warns that even feeling fine, lungs rely on these medications to control underlying inflammation.
Be emergency ready
Asthma attacks can escalate rapidly and become life-threatening, so every child must carry an in-date reliever inhaler (typically blue) at all times. This allows immediate action: sit upright, stay calm, and take one puff every 30-60 seconds, up to 10 puffs. If no improvement after 10 puffs, symptoms worsen, or you’re concerned, call emergency services immediately.
Parents should rehearse this with children, ensuring they recognize symptoms like persistent wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness. Birmingham Children’s Hospital notes a post-summer spike in attacks due to routine disruptions and viruses, underscoring year-round readiness. Keep spacers (holding chambers) handy to improve inhaler delivery, especially for younger kids. Regularly check expiry dates and replace as needed—stale inhalers fail when most needed.
For sports or play, pre-medicate if exercise triggers symptoms, and inform supervisors. This preparation turns potential crises into manageable moments, protecting against the hospitalization risks heightened in unstructured summer settings.
Pack the essentials
Heading on holiday? Treat asthma meds like sunscreen—essential and non-negotiable. Pack all inhalers (preventers, relievers, spares) in hand luggage to avoid loss with checked bags. Calculate enough for the trip plus an extra week’s supply for delays.
- Inhalers: Daily preventer, reliever, and spares.
- Hay fever treatments: Antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays if pollen-sensitive, as hay fever triggers 80% of summer asthma worsening.
- EHIC/GHIC card: Free for UK residents for EU medical care (check post-Brexit rules).
- Travel insurance: Covering pre-existing asthma, hospital stays, and extra travel/accommodation costs.
Asthma UK advises keeping inhalers accessible, not buried in luggage. For international trips, research local emergency numbers and pharmacy access. If flying, inform cabin crew if needed. This packing strategy ensures seamless management abroad, preventing vacation-ruining attacks.
Why summer poses unique challenges
Summer isn’t symptom-free for asthmatics. While fewer indoor viruses help some, others face heat, humidity narrowing airways, trapping pollutants, and worsening breathing. Pollen peaks—tree/grass in early summer, ragweed/mold later—correlate with flare-ups, especially alongside hay fever. Thunderstorms burst pollen grains, creating inhalable spikes; campfires, barbecues, and chlorine in pools irritate lungs.
Air pollution rises in heat, and outdoor play increases exposure. Allergy Asthma Network highlights avoiding high-pollen camping (e.g., grass pollen in June/July). Yet, with management, kids can swim, hike, and play safely.
Stick to your medication routine
The cornerstone of summer control: never skip preventer medication. It reduces airway swelling over weeks, shielding against triggers. Phone alarms or charts combat ‘out of sight, out of mind’ lapses during holidays.
| Medication Type | Purpose | Summer Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Preventer (brown/beclometasone etc.) | Daily anti-inflammatory | Set daily reminder; don’t pause |
| Reliever (blue/salbutamol) | Quick symptom relief | Carry always; check date |
| Combo (e.g., Symbicort) | Preventer + reliever | Follow exact dosing[10] |
AAAAI stresses no ‘summer break’ for meds—fall risks soar without them. Adjust plans with doctors for heat/exercise if needed.
Manage summer triggers
- Pollen/heat: Stay indoors peak hours (midday), use AC/dehumidifier (30-50% humidity), shower post-outdoors.
- Exercise: Warm-up, pre-medicate, choose low-pollen times.
- Camping/BBQs: Avoid smoke, high-pollen seasons.
- Swimming: Rinse chlorine; watch irritants.
Track weather apps for pollen/pollution forecasts. Home tweaks like air purifiers help.
Prepare for back-to-school
September’s asthma peak hits post-Labor Day from viruses, routine loss, and unprotected airways. Refresh plans, check inhalers/spacers, inform teachers[10]. Birmingham experts urge this alongside school supplies to curb ED visits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why do asthma attacks spike after summer?
A: Lapsed preventers leave airways vulnerable to school viruses; September peak is predictable.
Q: Can I skip preventer inhalers if my child feels fine?
A: No—’drug holidays’ risk severe fall flares. Lungs need daily protection.
Q: What if my child has hay fever too?
A: Treat with antihistamines/nasal sprays; it’s a major asthma trigger.
Q: How do I handle an asthma attack?
A: Sit up, 1 puff reliever every 30-60s up to 10; call ambulance if no relief.
Q: Is camping safe for asthmatic kids?
A: Yes, if avoiding triggers like pollen/smoke; share plan with group.
References
- How to look after your child’s asthma this summer — Patient.info. 2018-07-27. https://patient.info/features/chest-lungs/keep-on-top-of-your-childs-asthma-during-the-summer-holidays
- Summer Asthma and Warm Weather — Allergy & Asthma Network. 2023. https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/summer-asthma-and-warm-weather/
- Summer Asthma Management — Atlanta Allergy & Asthma. 2023. https://www.atlantaallergy.com/articles/view/403-summer-asthma-management
- Asthma advice as children return to school after summer break — Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. 2024. https://bwc.nhs.uk/news/asthma-advice-as-children-return-to-school-after-summer-break-13047/
- u201cSummer Breaku201d Doesn’t Apply to Asthma Medications — American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2023. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/asthma/summer-break-doesn%E2%80%99t-apply-to-asthma-medications
- Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). 2020. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/resources/lung/NACI_ManagingAsthma-508%20FINAL.pdf
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