Asthma is a surprisingly common disorder that affects nearly 7 million children in the United States alone. Many parents dismiss early signs of the disease as allergies or a respiratory infection, only to learn that their child must now manage a life-long disease. In fact, there are a number of risk factors that can contribute to asthma. Some of them can be controlled, while others are unavoidable, but you should be aware of all of them when it comes to protecting your child's health. 

Genetics

If you or a blood relative have asthma, your child is more likely to develop it as well. Although the genetic factors responsible for asthma are not well understood, children with asthmatic family members are more likely--but not guaranteed--to develop the disease. This means that families with a history of asthma should take extra precautions to limit their children's exposure to other potential risk factors. 

Exposure to Cigarette Smoke

When inhaled, the harmful chemicals released by tobacco smoke coat an individual's airways and lungs, irritating them and stimulating their production of mucus. This is true even for secondhand smoke. In a normal child, this damage may go unnoticed, but cigarette smoke can easily trigger asthmatic attacks in a child predisposed to them. Cutting back on or quitting smoking will keep your child's lungs safe from constant waves of chemical irritants, reducing his or her likelihood of developing asthma. 

Environmental Pollutants 

Secondhand smoke is not the only hazard floating in the air around your child. Pollutants like exhaust fumes, wood smoke and the byproducts of industrial manufacturing are more common in urban areas, and they can be the primary cause of as much as 30 percent of all asthma cases. If you can't escape the big city, take steps to purify the air in your own home. Air filters and house plants can remove pollutants from the air and give your child's lungs a break. 

Other Allergies

Asthma has been linked to other allergy disorders and often shares the same triggers, meaning a child with allergies is also more vulnerable to asthma. Talk to an allergy doctor about whether or not your child's allergies are likely to spread into his or her lungs and airways. A sniffy nose in spring may not immediately lead to asthma, but it can be cause for concern.  

Obesity

Obesity results in several physiological changes that may leave your child more prone to asthma. It is thought that overweight individuals suffer from chronic inflammation in their lungs, making it easier to trigger an asthma attack. Obesity also lowers your total lung volume, which can make asthma more severe, and scientists have even discovered a link between genes for both obesity and asthma. Because of this, it is important to help your child manage his or her weight. If you are concerned about your child's propensity for developing asthma, don't hesitate to speak to an allergy doctor for a professional opinion.