As the school year winds down, many of us are planning summer camp experiences for our children. For parents or caregivers of children with asthma, this can be a daunting and tricky process. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can cause worry, stress and inconvenience. But with appropriate education and treatment, it is a manageable condition.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are 6.2 million children under the age of 18 who currently have asthma. With proper understanding, good medical care and monitoring, you and your child can keep asthma well controlled. There is no cure for asthma, but your child can be active, healthy and lead a normal life by avoiding triggers and treating or preventing symptoms. An asthma care checklist can help ensure safe and fun camp adventures.
[See: 8 Surprising Facts About Asthma and Seasonal Allergies.]
Make an Asthma Care Checklist
Once you and your child have located a camp that is a good fit, the first thing on your checklist should be to find out who is responsible for medical care at the camp. Is there a physician or nurse on site? Who is the medically trained person who will be administering medications? If your child is going to an overnight camp, is a medically trained person available 24 hours a day?
Next, plan a meeting with the person responsible for medical care and your child’s counselor on or before the first day of camp. If appropriate, your child should be involved in the meeting. Topics to discuss include:
— Asthma symptoms, including your child’s awareness of the symptoms.
— What makes your child’s asthma worse, especially in the camp setting. Examples include colds, exercise, cold air or exposure to dust or campfire smoke.
— Actions to take when asthma symptoms occur and/or peak flows are in the yellow or red zones.
— Use of a metered-dose inhaler and spacer, including the correct technique.
— If the child should keep the metered-dose inhaler and spacer with him/her. If not, the metered-dose inhaler and spacer should be quickly accessible when asthma symptoms occur.
— Use of any doctor-recommended daily controller asthma medicines, including the correct technique.
— Peak flow use (when appropriate), including technique and the use of peak flow zones.
[See: 7 Lifestyle Tips to Manage Your Asthma.]
Have a Written Asthma Action Plan
At National Jewish Health, we encourage you to ask your child’s doctor to customize a written Asthma Action Plan before camp starts. Be sure your child’s plan includes what medication to take daily (if recommended by your doctor), what medication to use to treat acute asthma symptoms and decreases in peak flow zones, and what medication to use as a pre-treatment before exercise. The plan should also include emergency telephone numbers and what triggers make your child’s asthma worse. Copies of this plan should be provided to and reviewed with the appropriate camp staff.
This Asthma Action Plan is also useful when the school year starts. Keep copies for your child’s teachers, physical education teachers, school nurse and teacher aides. It’s important for them to have an understanding of your child’s asthma and to be prepared to treat his or her symptoms.
Along with your child’s Asthma Action Plan, be sure to provide the necessary equipment for a stay at camp. This includes an adequate supply of medications/inhalers, a spacer to use with metered-dose inhalers and possibly a peak flow meter and nebulizer. It’s important to check in with medically trained staff during the camp stay to see how your plan is working.
The American Lung Association is a good resource for further information about camps in different parts of the country specifically designed for asthmatic children.
[See: How to Survive Ragweed Allergy Season.]
Plan for Happy, Healthy Experiences
As children get older, they’re able to take more responsibility for their daily activities, including management of their disease. The amount of responsibility your child takes in managing his or her asthma should be appropriate for their age and abilities. Remember to review the Asthma Action Plan with your child. You should review the plan with your health care provider at least once a year. And as always, if you ever have questions or concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.
Here’s to careful planning so everyone can enjoy a happy and healthy camp experience.
Carah B. Santos, MD , is a pediatric allergist and immunologist at National Jewish Health.
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Before Sending Your Asthmatic Child to Summer Camp, Follow This Checklist originally appeared on usnews.com
