Asthma Program Resources
Asthma and School
Parents can work with their child, her physician and school personnel to keep asthma from interfering with normal school activities.
Asthma Tips for Parents
Parents can help their teens better manage their asthma by following tips provided by experts at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Controlling Your Home Environment to Prevent Asthma Flares
Making a few changes around your home can help you limit your child's exposure to common asthma triggers and allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold.
How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler with a Spacer
Get step-by-step instructions for helping your child use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer to treat asthma.
Safety of Steroids for Asthma
Inhaled steroids are generally well-tolerated and safe at the recommended dosages, even when taken for prolonged periods. However, like all medications there may be side effects.
Patient Family Education
How to Use and Maintain a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with a Spacer and Mask

This video demonstrates how to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer and a mask, including when and how to prime it, when and how to take your inhaled medication with a spacer, and more.
How to Use and Maintain a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with a Spacer and Mouthpiece

This video demonstrates how to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer and a mouthpiece, including when and how to prime it, when and how to take your inhaled medication with a spacer, and more.
Educational Materials
Asthma Triggers [PDF]
Provides a list of the most common asthma triggers and ways to avoid them. Available in English and Spanish.
Asthma: What Is It? [PDF]
Provides an overview of asthma, its symptoms, triggers and treatments, including long-term controller medicines and quick-relief medicines. Available in English, Spanish and Arabic.
Avoid Triggers that Start Asthma Attacks
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-capp-avoidtriggers.pdf
Lists the most common asthma triggers to avoid. Available in English and Spanish.
How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler with a Spacer and a Mask
Get step-by-step instructions for using a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer and a mask to treat asthma in children.
Rules of Two™ for Healthcare Providers
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-rules-oftwo.pdf
Rules of Two™ can be used to assess when a patient might need more than a rescue medication.
What to Do When an Asthma Attack Starts
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-capp-whattodo.pdf
Outlines three steps to take during an asthma attack. Available in English and Spanish.
When to Replace or Refill Your Child's Asthma Equipment or Medication
Find out when you should replace asthma treatment equipment (such as spacers and air compressors) and when you should refill asthma medications.
Medication Materials
ADVAIR®
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-advair.pdf
An anti-inflammatory and beta-agonist control medicine used to relax the muscles around the breathing tubes and decrease swelling and mucus in the breathing tubes.
ADVAIR® HFA
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-advairhfa.pdf
Advair HFA is an aerosol form of Advair that comes in a canister and is used with an actuator inhaler device and a spacer device.
Albuterol
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-albuterol.pdf
A bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles around the airways. It's used as a quick relief or rescue medication.
Asmanex®
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-asmanex.pdf
An anti-inflammatory, inhaled steroids used to decrease swelling, mucous production, and sensitivity to allergens in the airways.
DuoNeb®
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-duoneb.pdf
A bronchodilator used to treat bronchospasm. Learn about how it's given and its side effects, and find tips on how to use it.
Flovent®
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-flovent.pdf
An anti-inflammatory, inhaled corticosteroid used to decrease swelling and mucus in the airways.
Oral Steroids
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-oral-steroids.pdf
They include Prednisolone, Prelone and Orapred, and are used to reduce swelling and mucus in the airways.
Pulmicort®
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-pulmicort.pdf
Also known as Budesonide, it's a strong anti-inflammatory medication used to decrease swelling and mucus in the airways.
Singulair®
http://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/capp-capp-pdf-singulair.pdf
Anti-inflammatory control medicine used to decrease swelling and mucus in the airways. It is not for use in an acute asthma attack.
Videos
Controlling Asthma in Children - A Guide For Families

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects millions of children nationwide. Yet with proper management and avoidance of the triggers that cause flare-ups, it doesn't have to rule your child's life.
Repairing a Home, Improving a Child's Health: CAPP+

Mildew or mold can make a child’s asthma worse. Learn about CAPP+, a new program that provides free home repairs to improve children's asthma.
Websites
Allergy & Asthma Network
http://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/
The Allergy & Asthma Network provides educational materials on asthma and allergy for parents, kids and schools.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
https://www.aaaai.org
AAAI is an international society for patients and healthcare professionals that provides expert resources including condition content, advocacy tools and more.
American Association for Respiratory Care
https://www.aarc.org
AARC is a professional membership association for respiratory care professionals and allied health specialists interested in cardiopulmonary care.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
https://acaai.org/allergies
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology provides information and resources about allergies and asthma for patients and families.
American Lung Association
https://www.lung.org
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org
AAFA's website offers educational programs and tools about asthma and allergies for patients, caregivers and health professionals.
Asthma Education Clinic
http://www.asthmaed.com
The Asthma Education Clinic is devoted exclusively to providing educational and resource materials for health professionals.
Mold - Information From the EPA
https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-and-your-home
The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides this "Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home."
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/org/naepp/
The NAEPPA, administered by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, provides asthma information for patients, schools and the public.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/asthma
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides information about asthma for consumers and health professionals.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov/asthma
The EPA's website provides information about asthma, its triggers, how to control asthma in communities and schools and more.