Lung Problem - How To Avoid It In Children?

Children are found to be more prone to falling sick than adults. This, is not only due to their lower immunity, but also the carelessness of the elders around. Since it is not expected of children to take precautions, it is up to the adults especially parents to take care of that.

The following is a list of simple  ways and precautions by which you can protect your child from one of the most common kinds of illness encountered by children- lung infection.

1. Avoiding smoking in front of children

It is a well established fact that passive smoking or being in proximity to a smoker is almost as harmful as smoking itself. Parents who smoke in the presence of their children are putting the latter at the risk of lung infections and various serious lung conditions. Thus, children should be kept away from tobacco smoke as much as possible.

2. Limited use of mosquito repellents near children

Mosquito repellents have been known to cause asthmatic attacks in small children. The liquidators and the mosquito coils contain chemicals which should not be inhaled, especially by children. Keep the repellent at a distance and do not use it continuously. Avoid using mosquito coils as they create lot of smoke which acts as irritant. It is better advised to use mosquito nets and skin repellent creams.

3. Avoiding air pollution

Air pollution causes irrepairable damage to the lungs of children. Harmful poisnous gases and smoke from vehicles can lead to asthma, or even lung cancer, in children. To avoid this as much as possible, children should be made to wear pollution masks, especially while travelling through busy streets with heavy traffic. We should encourage less use of personal vehicle, advocate carpooling and take public transport so that vehicular traffic and pollution is lessened.

4. Avoiding objects which can cause allergic reactions or act as triggers

The triggers vary from one child to another and for some, there might not be any trigger at all. However,  parents should be careful to keep the children away from things which might cause allergic reactions. Examples of such objects are, certain fabrics, fur of animals, incense sticks, perfumes, dust, fumes and so on. Many of these are unavoidable but if there is a family history of allergy to any particular object ,special precautions should be taken.

5. Teaching them personal hygiene

Teaching children to carry handkerchiefs, cover their mouths while coughing or sneezing, washing their hands properly, and other good hygiene habits, can combat lung infections to a great extent, as these help prevent the spread of germs.

6. Timely vaccinations

Proper vaccination acts as a precautionary measure for lung infections in children. Thus, parents should get their children vaccinated after consulting the respective physician.