PARENTS of asthma-sufferers are being reminded their children should continue to take their medication properly throughout the summer holidays.

Health experts at NHS England in Cumbria have issued the warning as they reveal hospital admission for asthma-related illness usually rise in September because children have forgotten to take their preventer inhalers during the long break.

“Children with asthma are more likely to forget to use their preventative inhaler when they are out of their school routine and are therefore more likely to fall ill when they return to the classroom in September," explained Dr Mike Prentice, Medical Director for the Cumbria area at NHS England.

“It is important that children use their preventative medication properly during the school holidays.

"This will help to keep them well and to cope with common infections when they return to school or nursery in September.”

Throughout the holidays parents of children with asthma are encouraged to: • Ensure their child keeps using their preventative inhaler during the school holidays, even if their symptoms appear under control.

• Take a spare reliever inhaler and spacer (if used) to school or nursery and ensure their child’s teachers and carers know about their asthma.

• Take the inhaler home from school or nursery at the end of each term, check the expiry date and make sure there is enough left.

• Ask a pharmacist, GP, or practice nurse to check their child’s inhaler technique.

• Check there is enough medicine in the inhaler to last throughout any holiday breaks.

• Book a GP visit if asthma is preventing their child from exercising or sleeping.

• Set up an annual asthma review with their child’s GP or practice nurse.

• Make sure their child takes up the flu jab and PPV (pneumonia jab) when offered. This will protect them against serious illness.

For any other questions about asthma, parents are advised to talk to their pharmacist, GP, asthma nurse or paediatrician, or visit Asthma UK’s website at www.asthma.org.uk.

For GP out-of-hours services call Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) on 03000 247 247.