Pollution alert: What parents of kids with asthma need to do know this Diwali

Latest report from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)suggests that the air quality in Delhi-NCR has been categorized as 'poor' and 'severe', with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching a high of 249.

An air quality index (AQI) is a governmental tool to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it could become in the future.

Amid such alarming data, people with respiratory illnesses and parents of kids with asthma should take extra precautions and care. That said, if your child has asthma, here are a few things you should know like the back of your hand.

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Asthma is a respiratory condition that can affect both adults and kids. It is an inflammatory disease, wherein the airways to the lungs narrow down and swell and may produce extra mucus, making it extremely difficult to breathe and causing shortness of breath.

Childhood asthma affects kids, in which the lungs and airways become easily inflamed when exposed to certain triggers, such as inhaling pollen or catching a cold or other respiratory infection, explains the Mayo Clinic.

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Some of the common symptoms include:

- Persistent coughing that worsens when your child has a viral infection

- A wheezing sound when breathing out

- Shortness of breath

- Chest congestion or tightness

- Trouble sleeping

- Breathing problems

- Fatigue

Remember! Signs and symptoms of asthma may differ from children to children.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), research shows that air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms. Citing a study, the health foundation reports that young campers with moderate to severe asthma showed they were 40 percent more likely to have acute asthma episodes on high pollution summer days than on days with average pollution levels.

This happens because of the short- or long-term exposure to high levels of harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and PM 2.5.

Furthermore, Asthma UK reports that research shows that high levels of air pollution can cause asthma in both children and adults. Children living in areas with high pollution are more at risk.

As is known, Diwali is a time when the air quality in India is the most severe and poor. During this time, ozone levels in the air elevate significantly and harmful gasses thrive, leading to "smog" or haze.

Why it's bad is because ozone triggers asthma. It irritates the airways of the lungs, hence reducing lung functions and making it difficult for people with asthma to breathe.

In addition, airborne particles can pass through your nose or mouth and get into your lungs. Adults and kids with asthma are therefore at a greater risk from breathing in small particles.

If your child has asthma, here are some ways to protect your kid from outdoor air pollution:

- First and foremost, do not let your child step out. Keep them engaged in indoor activities.

- Ensure than they wear masks if and when they step outside

- Always carry their inhalers

- Check the air quality index (AQI) in your area every day

- Avoid using lawn mowers that are gas-powered when children are outside.

Children with asthma are not only at a risk of experiencing respiratory distress outside, but also indoors. Indoor air pollution can be triggered by small particles in the air or damaging gasses such as carbon monoxide. These can be induced by household cleaners and air-fresheners, wood-burning stoves, toxic fumes, paint products, smoke from cooking candles, fireplaces or tobacco, pesticides, cosmetics and more.

Here's how to minimize indoor air pollution:

- Do not smoke inside home

- Avoid growth of molds in the house

- Use dehumidifiers

- Ensure good ventilation, but if air quality outside is poor, close all the windows and use air purifiers.

- Do not use scented candles or odor-hiding fragrances

- Remove or reduce allergens

- Install radon alarms

- Do not store harmful products like paint at home