Q. My son is four and his doctor has prescribed Ventalin for asthma. I don't want to use the Ventalin unless I have to. Is there anything I can do at home to help reduce the triggers for his asthma? One of my friends suggested getting rid of the carpets which I will do but I don't want to spend the money if it is not really going to help.

-HelenDC

A. Most often for four-year-olds, asthma is triggered by colds and minor respiratory infections, so plain old good hygiene, hand washing and staying away from sick playmates would be the first step.

But your question really revolves around whether environmental allergies are his trigger, and for that, try a small experiment. Keep a record of his symptoms for a week or so, recording not only when he's coughing or wheezing, but what he's been doing, what rooms he has been in, what objects he has been around and whether he's been inside or outside. Changes in weather, air temperature, exposure to dust, feather pillows, carpets, stuffed animals, even sometimes certain foods or perfumes are triggers. A diary may help you pin the symptoms down to a particular room or object, so you can identify the triggers and avoid them.

I agree, avoiding an asthma attack is always better than having to treat one.

-Dr.Sadler

Find out what every parent should know about asthma.