I went to the Allergist for the first time last Friday to get my daughter a "back scratch" test done due to the severe allergies that she has been suffering from since she was a baby. (Her FORMER Pediatrician said that it was unnecessary to send her to an Allergist and put her through the testing) She also suffers from eczema. I was shocked and somewhat startled that they also diagnosed her with asthma.

She isn't like my best friends son who has asthma so severly that he has almost died a few times. How can my child be almost 9 and now just be diagnosed with asthma? I have seen her run and play and never have an "attack". The Allergist says that allergies/eczema and asthma often go hand in hand.

I am just concerned because she is now in 2 different aspirating medications, a steroid suspension, takes Peak Flows daily, not to mention the other 4 meds she needs to keep the allergies and eczema at bay. The back scratch test revealed exactly what I had thought she is allergic to every tree, to cats, grass, mold and dust.

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Smiles, Trish

I was diagnosed with asthma at 32. Like me, your daughter may have mild asthma. It's not enough to be life threatening, but enough to be an annoyance. I used to notice little things like shortness of breath when I climbed the stairs. Never knew it was asthma until I saw an allergist. My doc says it's common for people to be unaware of it if it isn't severe.

K...This is me too, I am going to ask the Allergist when I go back with my daughter for a follow-up because the more I think about it, the more I realize that I have symptoms that could be asthma. I have shortness of breath, have always had periods of times in my life where I felt like I couldn't breath or heaviness in the chest, constant congestion in my head and chest. Thank you for your answer...I guess I am just having the "nervous Mommies"...

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Smiles, Trish

Glad I could help. You symptoms sound very similar to what I was experiencing, so being testing for asthma is a good idea. I was also tested for food and environmental allergies and showed up allergic to some things in both areas. The treatment for both of those has helped the asthma get better, along with the asthma medication I take.

I feel for you as a young woman that grew up with asthma and never knew. You can look at it this way...if she is asthmatic...you have the advantage of treating proactively. I never knew and almost died from it. I also smoked for quite a few years which only worsened my condition. I wish you the best of luck and hope from another asthmatic and mother also. Sheli

Thank you guys so much...do you guys know of any asthma related websites i could check out for more info?

I'm sure if you type asthma into any search engine you'll get plenty of places to choose from.