In this section

  1. Parents and carers

    Information for parents and carers to help manage their child's asthma.

  2. Primary and secondary schools

    Asthma advice and training for primary and secondary schools.

  3. Children and young people

    Advice and resources for children and young people on managing their asthma.

About asthma 

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood.

It is caused by swelling of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. This makes the tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily narrow.

The main symptoms are a whistling sound when breathing (wheezing), breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing. Not all children and young people with asthma will have a wheeze.   

Poor air quality can make it harder for people with asthma to breathe. This includes smoking, household damp and mould, pollution and sprayed chemicals. 

Other triggers include cold weather, allergies (to dust mites or animals), exercise and cold and flu infections. 

There's no cure, but there are simple treatments and lifestyle changes that can help keep the symptoms under control.