Kids with chronic asthma symptoms should use corticosteroid inhalers daily. Yet Only 20% of kids with persistent asthma keep their symptoms under control. Even with inhalers, many kids had persistent symptoms, primarily because they weren't using inhalers daily. The drugs have to be used consistently. Also many of these kids had to deal with secondhand smoke and other triggers which make asthma worse even with inhalers.

A majority of kids with asthma have triggers in their home. The list includes: a wood burning stove or fireplace, cockroachs, dust mites, mold, and pets.

Controlling a child's asthma is not a simple matter, the parents, the child, and the child's doctors have to coordinate their efforts. Parents must first report the asthma symptoms to a doctor. Next the physician creates an tailored treatment plan, including daily use of an inhaler and perhaps oral meds as well, too. Daily use of these drugs is essential. But taking medicine isn't the end of the job.

Asthma is a dynamic disease. Kids' asthma can change and their triggers change. They need to re-evaluate their treatment plans several times a year.