CHAH Asthma

09/02/2026

🏫 Asthma at School 🏫
What should your child have at their school or nursery if they have asthma?
👇
1. Reliever (rescue) inhaler 💨which is usually blue but can also be red and white (for older children).

2. A spacer device (for use with the blue inhaler) which is age appropriate - used with a mouthpiece for children aged 4-5 and over.

3. A personalized asthma action plan, 📋 which includes information on how to treat an asthma attack, triggers and emergency contact details.

more information on asthma in school here:

https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/child/life/school

09/02/2026

Pollen season is starting, so make sure you start your antihistamine treatment two weeks before your symptoms usually start!

Tree pollen is one of the main triggers of hay fever, affecting many people each year. The types of trees most likely to release pollen that cause symptoms include alder, birch, hazel, and horse chestnut.

Tree pollen is usually released from the start of February. The season typically lasts until June, and climate and weather conditions influence pollen counts, meaning the start and intensity of the season can vary each year.

Top tips for reducing exposure to tree pollen:

Monitor pollen forecasts daily and stay indoors on high pollen days when possible. Rain can help lower pollen counts, but thunderstorms during high pollen periods can make symptoms worse, especially if you also have asthma.

Take allergy treatments and medications regularly to control symptoms. Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen.

If you need to go outdoors, se a nasal barrier balm, wear a mask, wraparound sunglasses, and a hat with a large brim to protect your eyes, face, and hair.

After spending time outside, shower, wash your hair, and change clothing, particularly before bed, as pollen clings to hair, body, and clothes.

Avoid outdoor activities that expose you to pollen, such as mowing lawns or raking leaves.

Keep windows closed at home and in the car, especially in the early morning and evening when pollen counts are higher.

Avoid drying clothes or linen outside, as pollen can cling to fabric.

Wipe pets’ coats with a damp cloth after they have been outside to remove pollen.

Knowing when tree pollen is in the air and taking steps to reduce exposure can help manage hay fever, protect your health, and make spring more comfortable.

For more guidance and resources on managing allergies, visit https://bit.ly/4tekE10

05/02/2026

Do you know your asthma triggers?
It’s really important to be aware of the things that can make your asthma worse.
This helps you to avoid them as much as possible, or manage them if they can’t be avoided.
Your triggers should also be on your Personalized Asthma Action Plan (PAAP) to help you remember and so that other people can help you to avoid them.

05/02/2026

Who might you meet when you go to hospital?
🏥
It can be a bit scary going to hospital, especially if you feel poorly.
There’s lots of people you might see if you go to A&E or the Children’s Ward:
👇
Children’s Nurses; are usually the first person you see for Triage, which is a quick check to see how poorly you are. They are nurses who are trained in Paediatrics.

A&E doctors; may be the first doctor you see. They are especially trained to see accidents and emergencies and make sure you get the right treatment.

Pharmacists; may see you on the ward to make sure you are taking the right medicine and to ensure you have the right medicines to take home with you.

Nurse/Paramedic Practitioners; can see and treat children and have extra training in assessment and treatment.

Physiotherapists; can see children on the ward to help them with breathing and chest clearance exercises.

Health Care Assistants; you may meet them when they carry out observations, like checking viral signs.

Paediatricians; are doctors who specialize in children’s health and you’ll meet them on the ward round.

Play Specialists; are specially trained in play therapy and provide learning and creative activities and distraction techniques.

You may also meet phlebotomists, who are specially trained to take blood tests.

Everyone works together to provide the best possible care for children and young people

30/01/2026

Identifying your triggers is the first step in avoiding them!

However you may not always know what your asthma triggers are.

Here are some of the common ones you may encounter around the home.

Dust & Dust mites
Mould
Outdoor air pollutants (dust,pollution,bushfires,campfires)
Outdoor allergens (pollen)
Indoor air pollutant (cigarette smoke)
Changes in temerature (heating and cooling systems)
Pet saliva and dander (skin flakes)
Chemicals and strong smells (cleaning agents and perfumes)

Where possible try to remove the trigger from your home or yourself from the environment e.g staying indoors when it is very smoky outside.

Always make sure you have your reliever (blue/grey puffer) & spacer handy for those times you can't avoid your triggers.

Not sure what your triggers are? The educators at AFNT can help you identify triggers and give you strategies to avoid or manage them.

If you need help with this call 1800ASTHMA

30/01/2026

It’s cold out.
Brrrrrrr! ❄️❄️❄️❄️

Cold weather can be a major trigger for asthma, with dry air, fluctuating temperatures, and spending more time indoors all increasing the risk of flare-ups.

Cold, dry air can irritate your airways, so wearing a scarf or mask and using your reliever inhaler before going outside or exercising can help alleviate symptoms.

Winter also brings colds and flu, which can worsen symptoms. Staying healthy, avoiding contact with people who are unwell, and getting a flu vaccine are key.

Spending more time indoors can expose you to dust, mould, and pet allergens, so ventilating your home and keeping spaces clean is important.

For more tips on managing asthma this winter, please find them via the link https://bit.ly/4jwifup

30/01/2026

This looks really interesting 👀

Free Allergy Support & Resources

13/01/2026

13/01/2026

Cold weather can be a major trigger for asthma, with dry air, fluctuating temperatures, and spending more time indoors all increasing the risk of flare-ups.

Cold, dry air can irritate your airways, so wearing a scarf or mask and using your reliever inhaler before going outside or exercising can help alleviate symptoms.

Winter also brings colds and flu, which can worsen symptoms. Staying healthy, avoiding contact with people who are unwell, and getting a flu vaccine are key.

Spending more time indoors can expose you to dust, mould, and pet allergens, so ventilating your home and keeping spaces clean is important.

For more tips on managing asthma this winter, please find them via the link https://bit.ly/4jwifup

18/12/2025

Did you know that children are offered two types of flu vaccine? For most children, the nasal flu vaccine is the best vaccine to protect against flu this winter. However, some children will need to have the injectable vaccine.
If you have questions about which vaccine is more appropriate for your child, make sure you contact your local immunisation team. Contact details for each team can be found on our website: https://www.kingstonandrichmond.nhs.uk/services/service-search-z/immunisations-childrens

01/12/2025

If you live with a lung condition, poor indoor air quality can make your symptoms worse. Find out about the types of air pollution you might find in your home and view our best ways to improve indoor air quality. https://orlo.uk/K3B1F

27/11/2025

Spacers are great, because they help your child to breathe their asthma medicine easily into their airway and lungs.
Using an MDI inhaler without a spacer means your child is much more likely to swallow the medicine, rather than inhaling it.
In fact, studies show that without a spacer, only around 8% of asthma medication is inhaled!