About 5 to 10 percent of adults with moderate to severe asthma may be aspirin-sensitive. Aspirin-induced asthma occurs less frequently among children, but it is still a condition for which you should be alert. Other painkillers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, also could trigger asthma symptoms. Acetaminophen, though, has been suggested as an alternative to these medications.

The signs of aspirin sensitivity may not always be immediately evident. Usually, the airways may begin to constrict anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours after using the medications. Sometimes it might not be clear if the medication is triggering asthma or if the trigger is what the medication is being used for — such as a cold. Before your child takes any over-the-counter medications, make sure you check with her health care provider.