Nurses and doctors, including those at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, say when children return to school after the summer holidays, they often see a surge in life-threatening asthma attacks
Children with asthma must continue using their inhaler throughout the school holidays — or risk their lives, experts have warned.
Medics say they regularly a surge in asthma attacks in September because many parents are said to ditch or reduce – often mistakenly – the medication during the six-week holidays, particularly when the weather is warm. Those kids whom pause their medication in the summer break are four times more likely to be in hospital at the start of the term, doctors warn.
Asthma, a lung condition which affects around one in every 11 children, causes various symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. Mums and dads should also look out for complaints about chest or stomach pain.
In a campaign video, Louise Tipping, an NHS respiratory nurse at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “Asthma attacks tend to increase significantly in September after the school holidays, likely due to disruptions in medication routines during the summer break.
“However, by taking a few simple steps, parents can help their child to avoid asthma attacks and enjoy the summer as much as anyone else.
“Even if your child is feeling well and has been running around all summer, it’s vital to keep on top of their asthma medication and ensure they’re taking their preventer inhaler as instructed by their GP or asthma nurse. This means they’ll have the best level of protection before they head back into the classroom.
“Follow your child’s personal asthma action plan and keep it handy so you know what to do if their symptoms are triggered. And, importantly, always be asthma ready. An asthma attack can be life-threatening, and you should make sure your child always keeps an in-date reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them.”
According to official figures from Asthma + Lung UK, there is a 348% rise in the number of five to 14 year-olds admitted to hospital with an asthma attack in September, compared to August.
The latest data shows the largest increase is among five to nine-year-olds, with a 370% rise in the number of hospital admissions in September compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, among 10 to 14 year-olds, the increase is a staggering 307%.
The figures, which were recorded in 2024, showed how boys in the five to 14 year age range group are more likely to be affected compared to girls.
Asthma & Lung UK backed the message, saying: “Every September, there’s a rise in the number of children in the UK who go to hospital because of asthma attacks. There are lots of reasons for this.
“Some children get out of routine during the summer holidays and do not take their preventer medicines as prescribed. This can lead to their asthma being poorly controlled when they go back to school.“It’s important to make sure your child is sticking to their medicine routine a few months before they go back to school. This is to give the medicine time to build up and protect them from an asthma attack when they start going to school again.”
Asthma triggers when kids go back to school
- Air pollution
- Colds and flu
- Dust mites
- Strong emotions, like fear, stress and excitement
- Physical activity
- Mould
- Pollen