Asthma

[janjan23]

My son is 10 had a cold/ cough which made him have a wheeze last month, took him to out of hours and they prescribed steroids and an inhaler to use for 4 days, Was told to make a routine app with the gp to check for asthma.

The gp is going to send him to the hospital for further checks to see if he has asthma.

She asked him a questions about his breathing. To which he said he finds it difficult to breath when exercising and sometimes through the night. And also when he is crying. But is fine generally and has no cough at all.

Could this be asthma? He doesn't seem bothered by it day to day only as mentioned above. That's the only time he's had a wheeze when he was unwell and it cleared once he was better.

My worry also is that we have a dog that is 1 years old. Could this be the cause of the asthma after we have had the dog 1 year? The dog is only allowed downstairs and never goes in bedrooms. We have flooring everywhere no carpets except the stairs which the dog doesn't go on. I'm beside myself thinking we may have to give up our dog which I don't want to but obviously my sons health comes first. Will the hospital do tests for allergies to see if that's causing the asthma. I have zero knowledge of asthma only going by what I read online.

Thanks

Could this be asthma? Yes, in a word.
And I wouldn’t worry about your dog atm. I’m currently in weeks long rollercoaster of asthma attacks, some worse than others, after having covid six weeks ago. I think I’ve possibly developed another trigger (alcohol, which I will stop drinking) alongside my other triggers of cold air, damp air, and exercise. I’m not the only one with asthma in the house but I am the worst affected.
We’ve have had countless pets in the home over the years, dogs, cats, rabbits, guineas and birds. Both my DDs work with animals - all kinds farm and zoo. And none of the animals have ever been a trigger for our asthma. In fact I’m currently completely pet free after twenty five years, and my asthma has never been worse. So, all I’m saying is, it’s not a given, don’t panic yet.

Thank you for taking the time to reply that has really reassured me

I have asthma, have a cat ans a rabbit which don't trigger it.
My brother had severe childhood asthma (like repeated hospitalisations), had pet allergies, we had cats. We never rehomed them. We only allowed the cats in carpeted areas, never on furniture, he didn't handle them. There's stuff you can put on the cats called petal cleanse to stop the dander (skin cells that trigger the allergic response) coming off so much. We also had a really good vacuum cleaner with better filters and I think my brother took antihistamines.

Speak to asthma Uk they are really helpful.

It could be asthma, yes. It’s very common for it to show up at a low but uncomfortable level during the night or in response to physical exertion. That’s certainly what mine was like as a child. The dog could be a problem but from what you’ve said I doubt it. Does your son sneeze or itch after petting the dog? If he cuddles the dog does he tend to wheeze shortly afterwards? The best way to rule it out would probably be to go away without the dog for a week and see if he got a lot better, but it might be quite hard to tell since the condition sounds quite subtle at the moment. I’d be inclined to try anti-allergy bed linen to minimise things like dust mites before you worry about the dog, though.

Also one final thing, even if after a diagnosis of asthma there is a suspicion that pet hair/dander could be a trigger, that’s still not necessarily a fait accompli. I, lots of people in fact, have triggers that can’t possibly be avoided and their medication and asthma plan is designed to manage those symptoms when the triggers occur.

Thanks for everyone's reply's.

No he doesn't itch or have red eyes when he's been clapping or near the dog. No wheezing at all.

Going to buy the anti dust bedding thanks for that tip.

It's so new I think it's going to be hard tell what is going to trigger it.

What kind of tests will the hospital do?

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/diagnosis/tests/

Asthma UK have a really good website, here’s a link. You should be able to get some good info there.

My daughter was skin prick tested at the asthma clinic for aero allergens. They may be able to do that for you. That includes testing for allergies to dust, cats and dogs.