Asthma Editor Amy Cuebas of BellaOnline points out the following six Myths about Childhood Asthma:

1. Yoga / Swimming / Herbs will cure asthma. Nothing can turn off the switch that's responsible for the inflammation associated with asthma, but certain treatments like yoga can make the lungs healthier and improve breathing. Still, a reduction of symptoms is not a cure.

2. Children often outgrow asthma. True asthmatics will always be susceptible to flare-ups, although some children will see improvements in their condition as they grow older.

3. Treating children flare-by-flare is healthier than giving them preventative steroids. Unlike anabolic steroids abused by athletes, inhaled corticosteroids are safe for children. Side effects may include the slowing of growth, but the minimal side effects are better than severe flare-ups. Stick to the physician's maintenance plan to avoid massive pulmonary scar tissue from too may flare-ups.

4. Letting asthmatic children work through asthma attacks without medication will teach their lungs to overcome attacks. This is the most dangerous myth; frequent, untreated flare-ups will only make the asthma worse.

5. A child who doesn't wheeze doesn't have asthma. Frequent coughing (not wheezing) is actually the number one asthma symptom. Some children with asthma never wheeze.

6. Children with asthma should not run or play sports. Preventative treatment and care will allow children with asthma to do anything they want. Some of the world's best athletes have asthma.

Up to 80% of asthma sufferers may be sensitive to one or more allergens. If you have asthma and have not been tested for allergies, see your allergist so that you can learn what your specific triggers are. You can reduce allergic asthma symptoms by avoiding allergens with environmental control measures like allergy relief bedding, air purifiers, and HEPA vacuum cleaners.

See our Asthma Solution Guide for more information about managing asthma.