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Asthma Attack

Care at Home

Asthma Rescue Medicine:
- Start your child's quick relief medicine (that is, albuterol inhaler or nebulizer) at the first sign of any coughing or shortness of breath - don't wait for wheezing. (Reason: Early treatment shortens the asthma attack.)
- The best "cough medicine" for a child with asthma is always the asthma medicine.
- Follow your child's action plan for asthma attacks.
- For albuterol inhalers, give 2 puff separated by a few minutes, every 4-6 hours.
- Continue the asthma rescue medicine until your child has not wheezed or coughed for 48 hours.
- Continue all asthma contoller medicines.
Asthma Controller Medicine: If your child is using a controller medicine (e.g., inhaled steroids or cromolyn), continue to give it as directed.
Hay Fever: For nose allergy symptoms, it's okay to give antihistamines.
Fluids: Encourage drinking a normal amount of clear fluids (e.g.,water) (Reason: normal fluid intake keeps the lung mucus from becoming sticky).
Humidifier: If the air is dry, use a humidifier (Reason: to prevent drying of the upper airway).
Avoid or Remove Allergens: Give a shower to remove pollens, animal dander, or other allergens from the body and hair. Avoid known triggers of asthma attacks (e.g., tobacco smoke, feather pillows. Avoid exercise only during the attack).
Expected Course: If treatment is started early, most asthma attacks are quickly brought under control. All wheezing should be gone by 5 days.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.