Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

There’s currently no cure, but there are simple treatments and most people with asthma can live normal lives.

Symptoms

• wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
• breathlessness or shortness in breath
• a tight chest – when you inhale it may feel like something is contracting around your chest
• coughing

Many things can cause these symptoms, but they’re more likely to be asthma if they:

• happen often and keep coming back
• are worse at night and early in the morning
• seem to happen in response to an asthma trigger like exercise or an allergy (such as to pollen or animal fur)

Many illnesses can now be treated at home with lots of rest and over-the-counter medicines. 

The NHS Essex Child Health app offers handy advice on some of these most common childhood illnesses, as well as helping you to understand when it’s better to chat to your school nurse, visit a local community pharmacist or GP, or to call NHS 111.

Health conditions covered within the app include:

• Coughs, colds and flu
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Chicken pox and measles
• Ear ache and tonsillitis
• Wheezing and breathing difficulties including bronchiolitis and asthma
• Headlice and threadworms
• Bumps, bruises and accidents

Information on mental health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and advice on some more serious conditions like meningitis and sepsis are also covered. And there’s a handy section on when you might want to consider keeping your child home from school.

The app is free to download for both Android and Apple. Just search for “NHS Essex Child Health”.

You can also download the app by clicking on one of the below buttons:

• Available on the iPhone App Store
• Android App on Google play

Your home health kit essentials and medicine cabinet

What to include:

• Thermometer- to check temperatures
• Child’s paracetamol- for headaches and temperatures
• Antiseptic cream- to keep germs out of cuts
• Plasters- to protect cuts and scratches
• Olive oil- to use as ear drops for earache
• Antihistamines- for hayfever, allergies and insect bites

As well as your home health kit essentials, having a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home will help you treat common children’s illnesses. 

Community Pharmacist, Mary Oaiya talks about what medicine everyone should have at home to help tackle common childhood health problems.

The Essex Family Support Service offers mentoring support to families with children and young people aged 8 to 19. Younger siblings are also welcome.

It aims to:

• support families to build healthy family relationships
• promote safe choices and wellbeing
• support people to connect with others
• promote communication and conflict resolution

Families can self-refer by calling 01206 505 250 or by emailing families@community360.org.uk.  A referral can also be made on behalf of a family.