H.A.
Dear A.,
Your granddaughter has no known allergies -probably because so many allergies do not appear at such a young age, but age 6-8 can be very ripe to see asthmatic reactions I was diagnosed with asthma around age 8. I am not any kind of medical professional, but I think I would be accurate in saying that CATS (an animal I love passionatly) have skin dander that might be the biggest culprit for inducing asthma attacks in MOST asthmatics, with the exception of volcanic sulfur...which very few people are exposed to.
I have heard that cortizone-type medicines can CURE asthma, but people who go this route usually refuse to keep themselves away from their beloved pets (even birds and farm animals can cause a problem)...or keep the house vacumed DAILY or change to hard floors.
One of my professors says "gimme the drugs, I'll keep my cats"
Having the house vacumed daily is slightly effective but changeing to hard flooring is more effective. Even these measures are not enough to keep some asthmatics from wheezing within an hour of visiting.
The bedding for people with asthma must be carefully selected and washed frequently enough to keep fabric fibers, dust, and dust mites MOSTLY away. Whenever I visited my mother, even in college days, I had to sleep on the back porch in spite of having an inhaler (She had 5 dogs, 3 cats, cigaretts, and plenty of dust)
I certainly would recomend strong drugs in favor of the psycological damage and/or integrity problems of putting down, or trying to find a new home for beloved pets -especially when the feelings of asthmatic children are involed The cutting down or avoidance of powerful medications will not be a likely alternative if the house is carpeted and contains pets -even with great cleaning efforts.
Since Asthma is a type of allergic reaction, it would be safe to assume that people may respond very differently to medications for this problem.
I have never used a cortizone inhaler in my life. I believe these are known for longer term healing, but I am not sure of effects.
I know that there are EFFECTIVE chinese medicines for all kinds of allergies, some in the form of teas, which I saw work well for a friend with severe hay fever.She had to start drinking it 6 months before the start of cedar cones.
Most people use albuterol inhalers these days but I would SWEAR that the isoprotenerol sulfate medihalers I used as a child are FAR MORE effective IN SPITE that most Doctors say the opposite. Isoprotenerol sulfate is an adrenelin type of medication that I used from age 8 to age 30. It is still available. Some doctors will agree not to patronize certain products if you insist.
Even with ashtma, an pet-filled home (but tile floors and no pets in my room), and occasional use of isoprotenerol sulfate to counter the months of less fresh air(winter) I was just about the fastest runner in school(even compared to boys)through my high school days.
You may wonder if there is a correlation between the burden of wheezing and actual STREGHTENING of lungs and back muscles. I would be willing to bet a lot of money that there is, but wheezing isn't much of a fun or comfortable work-out; especially at bedtime when it can prevent sleep.
There are quite a few good runners who have serious levels of asthma.
Auntie Lilly, I hope so much this helps even though I didn't exacly answer your question!!