Toddler night time Ashtma

[00DD]

My 3 year old really sufferers at night coughing wheezing more than in day. Nights always have been hourrendos and just been reading up more about nocturnal asthma. Anyone else in simular situation it's heartbreaking

[Tugun]

webmd.com/asthma/guide/noct...

Hi,

This gives some ideas. Asthma can be triggered by the cooler air at night or by allergens in the bedroom. I do keep the room warm at night but you really need an oil heater or air conditioner which would be safer for a young child. Even with an oil heater you need to make sure that nothing is close to it in case of fire. In the article they also talk about a long acting bronchodilator. When using a heater at night make sure to give extra fluids. Ask your local doctor for help or a referral to a consultant. I hope you can find help for your young one.

[Minushabens]

Hi there & welcome. Have you spoken to your GP or asthma nurse about it? It sounds like there is something in his/her night-time environment which is either an allergy or a trigger. Have you tried a different type of bedding/pillow, etc.? Also, is there any damp or gatherings of dust near where s/he sleeps? You could also try changing detergents (in both my case & my son when he was small, we always used non-biological washing powder which seems to be less problematic. Anything that gives off an odour as well could be a problem (are you using air fresheners for example?)

It might be worth giving the room a good, deep clean if you haven't already...use a strong hoover on the mattress (both sides) as they can be a breeding ground for dust mites, which are a notorious cause of asthma.

Beyond that, your GP might prescribe something additional for night-time just to help relax their airways. Good luck!

[peege]

Oh I totally sympathise. I recall endless nights holding my son all night in a sitting position which helped. That was many years ago in a hot, dry country - God knows what it would have been like in damp uk.....wish I knew then what I know now.

Has your child had allergy testing? My own ashma allergy is mould and aspergillis. My son's was thought to be dust mite although he never had any allergy tests.

I've never heard of it called nighttime asthma. I do understand that asthma is usually worse at night though. Children are often given Montelukast, taken before bed, when my GP prescribed it he said it was for the allergy aspect of asthma.

You could try the dust mite angle, get rid of any down or feather bedding, Hoover the mattress and get a hypoallergenic mattress cover, thoroughly Hoover the room and damp dust regularly. Move bed away from the wall if it's a cold one. Some people respond to steam in the room, some to the dry air from central heating & some with a water container placed on of near the radiator. Last but not least you could try an air purifier.

Wishing you all the best and that he improves with the coming spring.

[WheezyAnne]

I have a couple of suggestions to add, from my experience as a child. Get rid of any feather, down, or wool in the bedroom. Keep the room well ventilated, and prop your son up if he is coughing. Have some water available for him to sip, to help calm him. My father used to read stories to me as we waited for the medications to ease my breathing, this always helped calm me down. Don't dust/clean whilst your son is in the room, as you will be bringing dust up into the air, and damp dust. Air the bed every morning - house dust mite love a warm. moist bed, not a cool freshly aired one. Dry heat can also aggravate some people, but I find that it is mostly allergens that bother me, and the only thing is to look into the antihistamines that he can take, whilst the medical profession consider the best inhalers, relievers, long term bronchodilators etc for him, and carry out skin tests if not already done so. That's my experience anyway. Later on in summer I would recommend a portable air conditioner - why portable you ask - because they are much better at removing moisture (dehumidifying) from the air than the fixed air conditioners. The hose is a pain though, it has to be said. I am so glad I have mine, as I find the hot summers, low air pressure, high humidity really bad for my breathing. Maybe your son won't be bothered so much, perhaps do some research, then wait and see? The next thing to avoid will be the grass pollen, and tree pollens are around at the moment.

[ChrissieMons]

I think your best bet is to speak to a nurse at asthmauk, then you can discuss what you think will work for you. Night times can be long and hard and I do sympathise. Window open, propped up and patience seemed to work best for me. And sleep when you can.

[00DD]

Hi to everyone and wow thank you for all responses it's great not to feel alone and also hear new ideas and tips. We see a consultant every 3-4 months and I have made a GP appointment to discuss and see if any help there as we just are struggling. She has brown preventor inhaler morning and night. Antihistamine morning and night and montelukast granuals. We have done a year with brown inhaler now so been through all seasons and no change. Your posts have got me thinking about bedding etc we have treated the room with damp seal as had a couple of small patches on end wall of house. I buy anti allergy pillows etc but not thought about washing powder as always used non bio tablets and comfort fabric conditioner. I am looking into dehumidifier and also salt rock lamps as someone mentioned them to me.

Thank you all again it's great to know others understand x

[peege in reply to 00DD]

No, you're not alone. I think it's a massive learning curve. You're doing all the right things 00DD. A call to asthmauk might give you some more guidance. My daughter has been through similar with her daughter, GPs refused to diagnose asthma but did give a ventolin with soft mask from when Daisy was a baby. Finally a lovely Belgian GP in the uk said of course the child had asthma and prescribed a preventive from age 3. Daisy has just turned 8, is much improved and now only uses preventer during winter months, ventolin before exertion all year round but needs it less in summer months.

'They' say a child can 'grow out of it' at around 7 or 14. Mine did but came back in later life. My son was 13 when he got hay fever badly and the asthma diminished. He's not needed a preventer since and the hay fever stopped too. There can be light at the end of the tunnel.

Preventing chest infections is the big thing. With inflamed airways any mucus can't get up naturally so stays in the lungs making a lovely warm place for bacteria to grow. Never hesitate to go to the GP if you suspect an infection, that's what they're there for. xx

[Saassii]

Agree with all the suggestions above. Mold is the biggest thing to worry about, then dust, it houses mold also along with bacteria, then look at pillows etc too. I have organic latex to deter microbes with a washable protective cover over it to prevent mold breeding in the pillow. Lots of fresh air! Hugs Mama

[WheezyAnne]

Just to add that I would not recommend fabric conditioners because they often have perfume smells which can irritate the chest, just as any aerosols and strong cleaning and perfume smells can. I can't be in the same room when my partner uses any aerosols spray. Worth looking at both the Asthma UK website, Allergy UK and Eczema Society as they are all linked. Not sure I got the names right, also British Allergy Foundation.

[Shellc]

Have u tried anti allergy bedding too , I don’t have carpets due to my asthma. Winter can be hard as it gets quite cold and that can trigger it as it being very hot too. Keep pets away from the bedroom if any in the house

[00DD]

Hi everyone Thank you for your messages tips and support.

We are going back to GP this week and been doing more reading/research etc. We have had the best two nights in a very long time I have even got to watch a film all way through while she has slept happily. I hope you all are getting the help and support you need to as this can be very tough x