All my immediate family have asthma,one with hayfever, two of us have eczema as well. We all treat out symptons differently.

I am sorry your husband is so distressed when your son has an attack. However, what your husband must remember is that medicine has come on so much with regards to treating asthma and by the sound of it your son and the doctors are managing very well. Does your husband go with him when he has his regular asthma clinic checks? He could ask about anything that is concerning him and perhaps be reassured.

Like your son, my son is very into his sport which I actively encourage as it is very important that he keeps fit and uses his lungs properly. I stressed from a very early age that smoking was not an option for him, not if he wanted to keep his lungs fit.

With regards to dairy, my son stopped drinking milk and now only has skimmed on cereal, I noticed his eczema started to clear up so perhaps his body was telling him something. Have you thought of trying rice milk?

Although your son is only 14 mine is now at the stage of trying out beers. What he has discovered is that some effect his asthma/eczema. So he now sticks to ales or nothing if they don't have what he wants (which is what I prefer). Makes him sound as if he is drinking all the time, that certainly isn't the case, but he is aware of what suits his body and what doesn't.

We have a cat and he is okay with her. However, some cats I react to and my son has one friend with dogs that he can't stroke as they make him itch. Everyone is different but from my experience you have to learn as you go along.

Have you got a spacer, best bit of equipment. We use these when we feel symptons are changing e.g colds. Help you get the proper dose of inhaler when you are having difficultes. These can be got on prescription.

Good luck, hope this was a bit of help.

ps you probably already belong but the Asthma Society very helpful.