Asthma & Wheezing
If you are worried that;
- Your child's symptoms are getting worse
- The reliever inhaler (usually blue) isn't working
- Their breathing is getting faster or doesn't sound like normal
- They are too breathless to speak, eat, play or sleep
- They are complaining that their tummy or chest hurts.
You should:
- Sit your child in an upright position. Try and keep your child calm, and encourage them to to take slow, steady breaths
- Take 1 puff of their reliever inhaler (usually blue) through their spacer every 30 to 60 seconds, up to a maximum of ten puffs
- Call 999 for an ambulance if you don't have access to an inhaler, things are not getting better after 10 puffs or you are worried at any point.
Never be frightened of asking for help in an emergency.
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Support your child to use their preventer inhaler every day, even when they are well. This can help to keep asthma symptoms under control.
Your child should always use a spacer when taking their inhaler. If you do not have a spacer speak to the GP or asthma nurse. *Click here* for information from Asthma UK.
Spacers need to be washed regularly, as this will help your child get more medicine through it.
Try and avoid things that trigger your child's symptoms or that make their asthma worse. Some triggers can be hard to avoid but it may be possible to avoid things like dust or pet fur.
Don't smoke around your child as this can make asthma symptoms much worse.
Your child should have regular asthma reviews with their GP or asthma nurse, these should take place at least once a year. Follow your child's personal asthma plan between these appointments.
Ensure your child has their yearly flu vaccine.
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- Take the cap off the inhaler. Check there is nothing inside the mouthpiece
- Shake the inhaler
- Place the inhaler in the end of the spacer
- Support your child to put the mask over their nose and mouth, making a good seal so no medicine can escape
- Press the top of the canister once so that one puff of medicine goes into the inhaler
- Count to 10 slowly (say ‘One, and two, and three,’ to get the timing right)
- If you need to give further doses, repeat all the steps again, waiting 30 seconds between each puff. Remember to remove the inhaler and shake it between puffs
- Wipe your child’s face afterwards, to remove any medicine that might have landed on their skin which could cause redness and irritation.
*Click here* to watch a helpful video about using a spacer.
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Share your child's asthma care plan with their school. It is important for school to know what to do in an emergency. If your child does not have an asthma care plan, talk to the school about what they would need to do to support your child.
Ensure school have all of your child's medications, spacer and that they are in date.
Who Can Help?
You can contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text Chathealth on 07480635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
Managing Asthma and Wheezing
DownloadChild Asthma Action Plan
This colourful ‘My Asthma Plan’ is designed especially for children age from six to 11. Fill it in with their GP or asthma nurse. It lists the medicines your child needs to take every day to stay well, what to do if their asthma gets worse, and what to do in an asthma attack.
DownloadOlder Child (12+) Asthma Action Plan
This plan is designed for adults and children age 12 and over. Fill it in with your GP or asthma nurse. It lists the medicines you need to take every day to stay well, what to do if your asthma gets worse, and what to do in an asthma attack.
Download
