Managing your own asthma
As you get older, you might want to start managing your asthma by yourself.
Between the ages of 12 and 25 you should move from child to adult asthma services. This means you’ll be in charge of managing your own asthma care, including booking appointments and getting prescriptions.
To support you through this change, you should get a ‘named worker’. This is a healthcare professional who can help you with all aspects of the move and answer any questions you might have.
Moving On Asthma has more information about asthma and transitioning to adult asthma care, which was created with teenagers and young people. We also have a lot of information to help you manage your asthma well.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking damages every part of your body. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.
Starting smoking at a young age is also linked to:
• smoking more overall
• being less able to quit smoking
• being more likely to die from smoking.
E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking tobacco and can help people to quit smoking cigarettes. However, they are not risk free, and more evidence is needed to understand the long-term risks.
Vaping can damage your body as it develops. You're also more likely to start smoking if you use vapes and e-cigarettes when you’re young.
Periods
You might notice changes in your asthma when you’re on your period. 1 in 3 women with asthma say their asthma symptoms get worse before and after their period.
Read more about how female hormones can trigger your asthma.
Alcohol
Alcohol can trigger your asthma. Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time can also damage almost every part of your body, including your brain, bones and heart.
You do not have to avoid alcohol completely. The NHS recommend drinking less than 14 units spread throughout a week.
14 units is around six pints of beer or 10 small glasses of wine. You can use Alcohol Change UK’s unit calculator to see exactly how many units are in your drinks.
Frank has more information about how alcohol can affect you.
Drinking alcohol under the age of 18 can change how you grow. It can affect how your organs, brain, bones and hormones develop.
Underage drinking is also linked to alcohol-related injuries, violence and risky behaviour like using drugs.
Drinkaware has more information about underage drinking.
Recreational drugs
Taking recreational drugs can trigger your asthma symptoms and increase your risk of having an asthma attack.
The best way to look after your asthma is to avoid taking any recreational drugs. But if you do take drugs, it’s important that you know how drugs can affect your asthma.
Sex and relationships
We know that some people with asthma are worried about how their condition will affect their relationship or having sex. If you’re ready to start exploring sex and relationships, then as long as your asthma is well managed and controlled you shouldn’t have any problems.
We have more information about sex and relationships if you’re living with a lung condition. This includes advice about speaking to your partner, going on dates, contraception and managing symptoms during sex.
Act on it Now has more information about healthy relationships created by and for young people.
Mental health
If you’re struggling with your mental health, remember that you're not alone. It’s not unusual for young people with long-term health conditions like asthma to feel low. Unfortunately, stressful situations like moving home, starting a new relationship or dealing with exams can all be triggers for asthma.
There are ways you can improve your mental and emotional wellbeing:
- Read our advice about looking after your mental health when you have a lung condition.
- Read our advice about how stress can affect your asthma.
- YoungMinds has advice and support for young people, including tips on reaching out for help.
Work and education
Some types of work can make your asthma worse because they expose you to triggers like cold air, aerosols, certain chemicals or stress. This is called work-aggravated or work-related asthma.
It’s a good idea to speak to your healthcare professional about your career plans. They can tell you more about jobs that are more likely to affect your asthma. Even if you’re not sure what you want to do yet, it might help to know some of your options.
We have more information about working with a lung condition. This includes advice about taking time off work and how to ask for reasonable adjustments.
You might find that asthma affects your work at school, college or university. We have more information about studying with asthma. This includes advice about missing classes, exams and assessments.
Leaving home for the first time
There are things you can do to make sure you manage your asthma if you decide to move out:
- Register with a GP in your new area so you get your asthma medicines and go for your annual asthma review. Find your nearest GP in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
- Remember that the way you book appointments and order medicines might be different with your new GP, especially if you have moved to a different part of the UK.
- Find out how to manage new asthma triggers that you might be exposed to, like air pollution, indoor air pollution or pollen.
- If you’re living with other people, tell them about your asthma. You could tell them about your triggers so that they can help you avoid them or let them know what they should do if you have an asthma attack.
- Find out where you can get help if your GP surgery is closed. Your GP surgery may have specific advice about what to do, but you can also contact NHS 111.
Talking to other people about your asthma
Take your time and only speak to other people about your asthma when you feel comfortable and ready.
There are benefits to telling people about your asthma. Being open about your asthma means that the people around you can help you manage your condition. It also means that they'll be prepared if you have an asthma attack.
It might help to remember that asthma is common and you might know a lot of other people with asthma. 1 in 9 people are living with asthma in the UK.
You could also get advice and support by connecting with other people living with asthma on our Health Unlocked forum.

Get support
Call our Helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.
