Asthma Flare-Up People who have asthma may go through times when they breathe just fine or only have a little trouble. But when a person has a lot of trouble with wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, it's called an asthma flare-up, or attack. Stuff like allergies, a cold, cigarette smoke, exercise, or even cold air can trigger an asthma flare-up. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.