This Season, Make Sure Your Child’s Asthma Plan Is Ready

Asthma affects more than 260 million people worldwide and is responsible for over 450,000 deaths each year, most of which are preventable. For Houston families, that statistic is not abstract, but rather a reminder that having the right medications and the right information can mean the difference between a manageable flare and a medical emergency.

Why Now Is a High-Risk Season for Kids With Asthma

Living in Texas means dealing with some of the most intense pollen seasons in the country. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Houston ranks among the top 15 most challenging cities in the U.S. for allergy sufferers, driven by oak, elm, pecan, and pine trees that flood the air with pollen every spring. For children whose asthma is triggered by allergens, pollen can set off symptoms quickly.

“We know spring has officially hit Houston once we start seeing patients coming in with more itchy noses, watery eyes, and sneezing,” said Dr. Brittany Hodgson, a pediatrician at Legacy Community Health. For children with allergic-type asthma, she adds, those seasonal symptoms can quickly extend to difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing.

When it comes to spring asthma management, Dr. Hodgson says timing is everything.

“Starting allergy medications at the beginning of pollen season can help control symptoms before they get really bad,” she said. That said, if pollen season is already underway and your child is symptomatic, Dr. Hodgson encourages families to come in so medications can be started or adjusted to keep children as comfortable and healthy as possible.

What Asthma Really Looks Like in Children

Many parents expect wheezing to be the main sign of an asthma attack, but some children never wheeze at all.

Dr. Hodgson says the symptoms that actually show up are often more subtle.

“A cough that lasts for weeks after an infection, coughing at night, or coughing during certain times of the year — like springtime pollen season — can all be signs,” she said. “Coughing with exercise, laughing, or cold air should also be investigated.”

Chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath should also be investigated, though Dr. Hodgson notes the condition can be genuinely difficult to diagnose in young children.

It is more common than many families realize. Texas Children’s Hospital reports that roughly 1 in 12 school-age children in the U.S. has asthma, making it one of the most common chronic conditions kids face.

According to the NIH, allergic asthma is the most common form in kids, and the list of triggers is long: pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and air pollution can all play a role. The temperature swings and shifting winds that come with spring only add to the mix.

What Every Asthma Caregiver Should Know

Knowing your child’s specific triggers is one of the most useful things you can do as a caregiver. Common spring culprits include tree and grass pollen, outdoor air pollution, sudden temperature changes, exercise in cold or dry air, and indoor allergens. Respiratory infections can also worsen asthma significantly, so staying current on vaccines, including the flu shot, is a simple way to lower that risk.

Understanding the difference between rescue inhalers and controller medications is equally important, and Dr. Hodgson says it’s one of the most common points of confusion she sees.

The rescue inhaler, most commonly albuterol, opens the airways quickly and is what to reach for when symptoms are active. The controller medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, works in the background to reduce the inflammation that causes breathing difficulty in the first place.

It is worth noting that parents may not see an immediate difference when their child starts a controller medication, and that is normal. These medications work gradually to reduce inflammation in the lungs, not to relieve symptoms in the moment.

“By taking these every day, the inflammation doesn’t have a chance to build up, and patients don’t need their rescue inhaler as much,” she explains.

Stopping it once a child feels better is a common mistake, and a risky one. “Asthma can sometimes quickly turn more severe, to the point where it’s hard for the albuterol rescue inhaler to do its job.” If your child only has a rescue inhaler, ask their provider whether a daily controller medication makes sense.

Building a Plan That Works

Having a written asthma action plan is just as important as having the right prescriptions. Built with your child’s provider, it outlines what daily symptoms look like, which medications to use at different stages, and when to seek urgent care. Texas Children’s Hospital recommends sharing that plan with teachers and school nurses, so everyone is on the same page if symptoms flare.

For kids with exercise-induced asthma, using a rescue inhaler 15 to 20 minutes before physical activity can help prevent symptoms before they start. And if your child is reaching for their rescue inhaler more than twice a week, that is usually a sign their asthma needs better daily control, and it is time to revisit their care plan.

For parents who suspect asthma but do not yet have a diagnosis, Dr. Hodgson’s advice is to come in sooner rather than later. At that first appointment, your child’s pediatrician will listen to your concerns, review their symptoms and health history, and do a full evaluation to determine next steps. If a child is actively wheezing or having trouble breathing, however, she urges families to seek immediate attention.

For everything else, know that asthma is manageable. With the right support, most kids can stay active, sleep well, and enjoy every season. The care team at Legacy Community Health is here to help.

Sources

World Asthma Day 2026 (GINA) | Take a Breath: Caring for Your Child’s Asthma (Health Services of North Texas) | Back to School: How to Deal With Asthma Attacks (Texas Children’s Hospital) | Paediatric Allergic Asthma: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Control, and Treatment (NIH) | Houston Ranks 12th on National List of Allergy Capitals (Houston Public Media)