What can you do to reduce the risk of your child having another asthma attack?
1) Children with poorly controlled asthma are much more likely to have an asthma attack compared to children whose asthma is well controlled.
Signs of poorly controlled asthma include your child having a regular cough at night (nocturnal cough), being wheezy or more breathless than other children when they run around (exertional dyspnoea) or using their reliever inhaler more often than expected.
Arrange to see your GP or asthma nurse if they are experiencing such symptoms.
To watch a video on encouraging children to use their inhalers effectively please click on this link.
2) It is vital that your child uses their inhalers correctly.
Your child’s asthma will not be controlled if their medicines are not getting into their lungs.
Choose appropriate sized spacer with mask or mouthpiece if child is over 3 years old.
- Shake the inhaler well and remove cap
- Fit the inhaler into the opening at the end of the spacer
- Place mask over the child's face or mouthpiece in their mouth ensuring a good seal
- Press the inhaler once and allow the child to take 5 slow breaths or slow count to 10 between each puff
- Remove the inhaler and shake between every puff. Wait 1 minute between puffs
Repeat steps 1-5 for subsequent doses.
Plastic spacers should be washed regularly as per manufacturer’s guidelines
For videos on using your child's inhaler and spacer correctly see Using your Inhaler
(Photo provided by IPCRG)
See your practice nurse or doctor if you are not sure whether your child is using their inhaler properly.
3) Avoid triggers where possible:
Although it is extremely difficult to avoid your child getting a viral infection or experiencing changes in the weather, you can reduce exposure to common irritants such as cigarette smoke. Even where adults smoke away from their children, smoke on their clothes and hair is likely to make their child’s asthma worse.
4) Your child should have an influenza immunisation every autumn.
Not only can flu trigger an asthma attack in your child, your child is more likely to experience severe influenza if they have asthma. Protect them by having them vaccinated every year. Click on this link for essential information on childhood vaccinations/immunisations.
