Taking steps to eliminate smoke, mold, and other asmogens as discussed above can decrease the amount of medication a child requires. An asthma action plan is a plan provided by a pediatrician or other doctor that gives instructions on how to follow a child's asthma and what to do when symptoms increase. Families can use this plan to monitor a child's asthma, to anticipate attacks, and to make best use of the medications provided. There are pockets of the population that have a higher frequency of asthma. For example, asthma seems to run in families.
Boys are often more affected than girls.
African-American children tend to have the highest incidence of asthma, followed by Latino children, and Caucasian children have a lower incidence. Inhaled steroids are used on a daily basis to decrease the over reactivity of the airways. When steroids are inhaled, they travel directly to the lungs. This way, a minimal amount is absorbed through the rest of the body. Inhaled steroids usually do not have any systemic effects unless they are used in high doses for a long time.