Keep taking asthma sprays

HEALTH experts are reminding parents of children with asthma in Oldham to ensure their children continue to take their medication properly over the summer holidays.

Hospital admissions for asthma-related illness can increase in September as a result of children forgetting to take their preventer inhalers during the long school break.

Dr Raj Patel, medical director (Greater Manchester) at NHS England, said: “Children with asthma are more likely to forget to use their preventative inhaler when they are out of their school routine and are therefore more likely to fall ill when they return to the classroom in September.

“It is important that children use their preventative medication properly during the school holidays. This will help to keep them well and to cope with common infections when they return to school or nursery in September.”

Parents are encouraged to ensure their child has their inhaler during the holidays, ensure their new teachers know about their asthma when school starts and make sure inhalers are in date and have enough left for the new term.

Parents can also ask a pharmacist, GP or practice nurse to check their child’s inhaler technique or book an annual asthma review.

Visit Asthma UK’s website at www.asthma.org.uk.