Those with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) may notice symptoms within five to 20 minutes of beginning activity. Symptoms often grow worse once exercise is complete, before gradually improving after 10 to 20 minutes of rest. Symptoms may not appear until a person is finished exercising. Sometimes, several hours pass before symptoms occur.

EIA symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain or tightness
• Excessive fatigue during exercise

In rare instances, a person may experience exercise-induced anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Severe itching of the eyes and face
  
  
• Feeling anxious
  
  
• Palpitations (an awareness of a strong, fast, irregular, abnormal or “galloping” heartbeat)
  
  
• Slurred speech, tongue swelling and inability to swallow
  
  
• Swelling of the throat
  
  
• Rapid or weak pulse
  
  
• Red or swelling skin
  
  
• Hives
  
  
• Angioedema (swelling on the lips, eyelids, throat and tongue)
  
  
• Cramps
  
  
• Diarrhea
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Wheezing
  
  
• Bluish tint to skin (cyanosis), including lips or nail beds
  
  
• High-pitched breathing sounds
  
  
• Coughing
  
  
• Choking
  
  
• Nasal congestion
  
  
• Breathing difficulty
  
  
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
  
  
• Convulsions
  
  
• Loss of bladder control
  
  
• Shock
  
  
• Stroke
  
  
• Cardiac arrest
  
  
• Respiratory arrest

Parents need to watch for more subtle signs of EIA in their children. If a child appears reluctant to participate in activities or maintains that they are “not athletic,” this may mask fears related to undiagnosed EIA.