Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.

It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

There's currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it does not have a big impact on your life.

What you can do to help

Be aware of asthma symptoms

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 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

Talk to school

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

Help your child learn to use a spacer

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.

Who can help?

If you’re worried about your child, a health professional in our team will be able to offer advice and support. You can Call Us on 0300 029 50 50 or Text Us on 07520 649887 to start a conversation. If your aged 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635 443

**Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm excluding bank holidays**

Need More Information?

Asthma UK, advice for children with asthma

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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
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Asthma and Wheezing