Asthma & Allergy Care for Kids in Baton Rouge – Fewer Flare-Ups, More Good Days

✓ Asthma Action Plans ✓ Medicaid Accepted

Baton Rouge humidity, mold, and pollen are hard on kids' lungs. We help your child breathe easier with a clear asthma action plan, the right medicines, and same-day visits when symptoms flare.

Wheezing or trouble breathing right now? If your child is struggling to breathe, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Asthma & Allergy Care at Red Stick Pediatrics At A Glance

  • Who: Children and teens with asthma, wheezing, seasonal allergies, eczema, or food allergies
  • What we do: Diagnose asthma, write asthma action plans, prescribe and teach inhalers and spacers, manage allergies, and complete school medication forms
  • Flare-ups: Same-day sick visits for wheezing, coughing, and allergy symptoms
  • Follow-up: Regular asthma check-ins to keep symptoms controlled
  • Referrals: We refer to pediatric allergists and lung specialists when needed
  • Cost: Medicaid accepted. Louisiana Medicaid generally covers asthma visits, inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers for children
  • Where: 888 Tara Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 · (225) 273-5995

Asthma Care and Medicaid

Louisiana Medicaid covers children’s asthma and allergy visits, and generally covers prescribed inhalers, spacers, and nebulizer machines. Healthy Louisiana plans may also offer asthma care management programs. We’ll help you understand what’s covered. See accepted insurance →

Read: Does Medicaid cover pediatric care in Baton Rouge?

Signs of Asthma

Signs of Asthma in Children

Asthma is a long-term condition that makes the airways swell and tighten, which makes it hard to breathe. It's one of the most common chronic conditions in children. Watch for:

  • Coughing that's worse at night, early morning, or with exercise
  • Wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing out
  • Shortness of breath or breathing fast
  • Chest tightness (older kids may say their chest "hurts")
  • Colds that "go to the chest" and last longer than other kids' colds
  • Getting tired quickly while playing or at sports practice

If your child has these symptoms more than once, schedule a visit. Asthma is very treatable when it's diagnosed.

South Louisiana Triggers

Common Asthma and Allergy Triggers in Baton Rouge

South Louisiana’s climate means kids face triggers almost all year.

TriggerWhen It’s Worst in Baton RougeTips
Tree pollen (oak, pine)Late winter through spring (about Feb–May)Keep windows closed; bathe and change clothes after outdoor play
Grass pollenSpring and summerStay inside while the lawn is mowed
Ragweed pollenFall (about Aug–Nov)Check daily pollen counts
MoldYear-round, worse with humidity and after storms or floodingFix leaks, use a dehumidifier, clean visible mold
Dust mitesYear-round, especially in humid homesWash bedding weekly in hot water; use mattress covers
Colds and fluFall and winterHand washing; yearly flu shot
Smoke and vapingAnytimeKeep your home and car smoke-free
Heat, humidity, and ozoneSummerLimit outdoor play on high-ozone days
Pet dander and cockroachesYear-roundKeep pets out of the bedroom; pest control
Asthma Action Plan

Your Child's Asthma Action Plan

An asthma action plan is a written plan from your child’s provider that tells you what to do every day and what to do when symptoms get worse. It uses three zones, like a traffic light:

ZoneWhat It MeansWhat to Do
Green – GoBreathing well, no cough or wheeze, sleeping through the night, able to playTake daily controller medicine (if prescribed)
Yellow – CautionCoughing, wheezing, chest tightness, waking up at nightUse rescue inhaler as directed; call us
Red – DangerVery short of breath, rescue inhaler not helping, trouble walking or talking, lips or nails turning blue or grayUse rescue inhaler and call 911 or go to the ER now

Share copies of the plan with your child’s school, daycare, coaches, and caregivers.

Controller vs. Rescue

Controller vs. Rescue Inhalers: What's the Difference?

Controller MedicineRescue Medicine
What it doesCalms swelling in the airways over timeOpens tight airways quickly
When to use itEvery day, even when your child feels fineDuring symptoms or before exercise, as directed
How fast it worksBuilds up over days to weeksWithin minutes
Common exampleInhaled steroidAlbuterol

Use a spacer. A spacer is a tube that attaches to the inhaler and helps more medicine reach the lungs. We teach you and your child how to use it at the visit. Bring your child’s inhalers and spacer to every asthma visit so we can check technique.

Nebulizers: Some young children use a nebulizer machine instead of an inhaler. We can tell you which is best for your child’s age.

Allergies

Seasonal Allergies, Eczema, and Food Allergies

Seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis) cause sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes. They often show up alongside asthma. Treatment may include antihistamines, nasal sprays, and avoiding triggers.

Eczema (dry, itchy, red skin patches) is common in children with allergies and asthma. We help with daily skin care plans and treatment for flare-ups.

Food allergies can be serious. If your child has had hives, swelling, vomiting, or trouble breathing after eating, talk with us. We can:

  • Prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPen) and teach you how to use them
  • Complete school and daycare allergy action plans
  • Refer to a pediatric allergist for testing

Anaphylaxis is an emergency. If your child has trouble breathing, throat swelling, or faints after eating, use epinephrine and call 911.

School & Sports

Asthma and Allergies at School

  • Self-carry inhaler forms: Louisiana law allows students to carry and use their asthma inhaler at school with the right forms signed by their provider and parent.
  • Medication forms for inhalers and EpiPens kept in the school nurse’s office
  • Allergy action plans for school, daycare, and camp
  • Sports: Most kids with well-controlled asthma can play any sport. We’ll help with a pre-exercise plan. See School & Sports Physicals.

Back-to-school tip: Get forms signed and refills filled before the first day, and send a spare inhaler to school.

When to Go to the ER

When to Go to the ER for Asthma

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if your child:

  • Is struggling to breathe or breathing very fast
  • Has skin pulling in between the ribs or at the neck with each breath
  • Can’t speak in full sentences
  • Has blue or gray lips or fingernails
  • Isn’t getting better after using the rescue inhaler as directed

Call us for a same-day visit for coughing, mild wheezing, or needing the rescue inhaler more than usual. After any ER visit or hospital stay for asthma, schedule a follow-up visit with us within a few days.

Why Red Stick Pediatrics

Why Families Choose Red Stick Pediatrics for Asthma Care

  • Providers with critical care experience, including Amanda Grzych, APRN, FNP-BC (12 years as a pediatric ICU nurse), Rachael Simms, APRN, CPNP-PC (pediatric ICU and critical care transport), and Anna Stokes, APRN, CPNP-PC (pediatric emergency room)
  • Written asthma action plans for home and school
  • Inhaler and spacer teaching at every visit
  • Same-day sick visits for flare-ups, plus Saturday morning hours
  • Medicaid accepted and help with prescription coverage
  • One medical home that knows your child’s history
Service Area

Asthma and allergy care for kids across the Baton Rouge area

Baton Rouge · Prairieville · St. George · Baker · Zachary · Central · Gonzales · Denham Springs
Red Stick Pediatrics is at 888 Tara Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Get directions →

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FAQ

Asthma & Allergy Care FAQ

The most common signs of asthma in children are coughing at night or with exercise, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

  • Colds that settle in the chest and last a long time
  • Getting tired quickly during play
  • Schedule a visit if symptoms happen more than once

An asthma action plan is a written plan that tells you which medicines to give every day and what to do when symptoms get worse.

  • Uses green, yellow, and red zones
  • Share copies with school, daycare, and coaches

A controller inhaler is used every day to prevent swelling in the airways. A rescue inhaler opens the airways quickly during symptoms.

  • Controller: daily, even when your child feels fine
  • Rescue: during symptoms or before exercise, as directed

Louisiana Medicaid generally covers prescribed inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers for children.

  • Coverage can vary by plan and medicine
  • We'll help you with prior authorizations if needed

Yes. Louisiana allows students to carry their asthma inhaler at school with forms signed by the provider and parent.

  • We complete these forms at your child's visit

Allergy season in Baton Rouge runs most of the year: tree pollen in late winter and spring, grass in spring and summer, ragweed in the fall, and mold year-round.

Go to the ER or call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, can't speak in full sentences, or has blue or gray lips, or if the rescue inhaler isn't helping.

  • For milder symptoms, call (225) 273-5995 for a same-day visit

Yes. Red Stick Pediatrics refers children to pediatric allergists and lung specialists when testing or extra care is needed.

  • Your child's provider will coordinate the referral and follow-up
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Help Your Child Breathe Easier

Book an asthma check-in or a same-day visit for flare-ups. New patients welcome. Medicaid always accepted. Call (225) 273-5995.

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