A Spooky and Safe Halloween For Your Asthmatic Child

In addition to watching for ghosts and goblins this Halloween, you also need to be mindful of your child's asthma. These 9 tips can help you and your child have a safe, happy, and asthma-free Halloween.

Carry a rescue inhaler. Make sure you trick or treat with an asthma inhaler in case your child's asthma does worsen this Halloween. Just like school, athletics, or other events, asthma is unpredictable and you never know when you may need your SABA.

• Inspect costumes. If you have stored costumes in an attic or closet, be mindful of dust, dust mites, and molds. Make sure to thoroughly clean them--or get a new costume altogether.


• Nix the mask. Because masks are so close to the face and can trap things like molds and dust mites, anything that is in them is easily inhaled into the lungs. If your child absolutely must where a mask, a half-mask is a better option.


• Don't let your kids enter homes while trick or treating. You never know what sort of triggers are in other people's homes, or what may trigger your child's asthma. Unknown pets, smoke, or even strong chemical odors from creating party props may trigger asthma.


• Consider a medical alert bracelet. If your child is older and will be trick or treating without you, a medical alert bracelet or necklace might be a good idea.
• Keep tabs on the weather. If weather is one of your child's triggers, make sure to carefully check out the forecast and dress appropriately.
• Yield to sickness. While it may not be a popular decision, not trick or treating may be the best thing if your child is sick this Halloween.
• Monitor your child closely. Follow your asthma action plan -- and use your rescue inhaler -- if need be. If your child's symptoms continue to be bothersome, it may be time to call it a night.