Daily life
Asthma management tips
Small, repeatable habits do more for asthma control than any single big change.
Medication reminders
The preventer only helps if you actually take it. Tie it to something you already do every day.
- Take it right after brushing your teeth, morning and night.
- Keep it next to the toothbrush, not hidden in a drawer.
- Set two phone alarms with the medicine's name.
- Use a sticker chart for younger kids.
- Rinse your mouth and spit after every steroid puff.
- Write the open date on each inhaler and reorder at 25% left.
Cleaning the home
You don't need a spotless house — just less dust in the air. Focus on the bedroom first.
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter twice a week while the person with asthma is in another room.
- Wipe with a damp cloth instead of dry-dusting, which sends dust flying.
- Wash bedding weekly at 60°C / 140°F.
- Pick cleaning products with no fragrance and no spray.
- Keep humidity between 30% and 50% to keep mites and mold away.
- Clear out extra soft toys and cushions from the bedroom.
Exercise guidance
Moving the body makes breathing stronger over time. Plan for it instead of avoiding it.
- Always warm up and cool down slowly.
- Bring the reliever inhaler to every practice or game.
- Wear a scarf over the mouth in cold weather.
- Build up effort slowly over weeks, not days.
- Stop and use the reliever at the first sign of tightness.
- Tell coaches and teammates where the inhaler is kept.
Travel preparation
Most travel trouble comes from running out of medicine or not knowing where to find help.
- Split the medicine between two bags in case one gets lost.
- Keep all inhalers in carry-on luggage — checked bags get too cold.
- Bring a printed action plan and medicine list in the local language.
- Check that travel insurance covers asthma.
- Look up the nearest pharmacy and hospital when you arrive.
- Pack allergen-proof pillow covers for long trips.
School planning
A quick chat before school starts prevents most asthma problems there.
- Give the school an updated, signed action plan every September.
- Provide a labeled spare inhaler and spacer.
- Ask what the school's rule is on carrying inhalers.
- Find out about classroom triggers — pets, dust, art supplies, mown grass.
- Agree on a quiet signal your child can use if struggling to breathe.
- Review the plan after any asthma-related absence.
Seasonal advice
Asthma follows the calendar. Getting ready for each season stops most flare-ups.
- Spring: start allergy treatment before pollen season begins.
- Summer: watch out for ozone and storm warnings; exercise early in the day.
- Autumn: back-to-school colds are the worst time for attacks — check technique and supplies in August.
- Winter: cover the face in cold air and stay up to date on the flu shot.
- Any season: review the action plan at least once a year.
- Track symptoms every month to spot your own patterns.