One in ten children in Wales has asthma, the report claims

Asthma UK Cymru said one in 10 children and one in 12 adults in Wales are being treated for a condition - one of the highest rates in the world.

The charity said 260,000 people in Wales live with a condition that "should be controllable".

It said: "We still see an unacceptable level of hospital admissions for asthma emergencies."

Asthma UK Cymru Executive Director Marjory Burns said 75% of hospital admissions for asthma emergencies and 90% of asthma deaths were preventable.

She said: "We would like to see every person with asthma have a personal action plan to help them take control of their asthma."

The report reveals that people in Wales have the lowest expectation of living virtually free of symptoms and expect their condition to have a "gradual encroachment" on their daily lives.

Hospital admissions

Ms Burns said: "This should not be the case. It is important to ensure that those people with asthma who experience daily symptoms know when to contact their doctor or nurse.

"People with asthma should be given advice about how their asthma might change over time and what they can do to control their symptoms.

"Using a reliever three times a week or more or even waking up once a week indicates that they should discuss their symptoms with their doctor or nurse."

The study found the rate of hospital admissions for adults in Wales caused by asthma was 28% more than other parts of the UK.

The report has been welcomed by Carrie-Ann Ashton, 25, who is originally from Baglan, near Port Talbot, but now lives and works in Surrey.

She had been treated several times at the old Neath General Hospital for asthma triggered by pollen, dust or contact with animals.

She added: "I've also got a nebuliser at home, so I've ended up on a nebuliser umpteen times, and also on steroids as treatment for my asthma.