Asthma Treatment in Kids

Steroids, also called corticosteroids, decrease inflammation and swelling in the airways. Used both to treat and prevent asthma attacks, they can be breathed in, taken by mouth, or injected directly into the bloodstream or muscle. Inhaled steroids (for example, fluticasone or budesonide) are thought to be the most effective treatment for asthma. When using inhaled steroids, children should use a spacer (or a special mask if taken through the nebulizer) and rinse their mouths out afterwards.