Anyone who has seen a child have an asthma attack knows how terrifying it can be. One of the main symptoms of an attack is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. This may or may not be accompanied by coughing or wheezing and stomach pain. The symptoms often get steadily worse.

Panicking at a time like this is the worst thing you can do. His son will surely be scared by now and needs someone to soothe and reassure him, who can help him calm down and control his breathing.

Actions to take step by step

The next time your child has an asthma attack, take a few seconds to calm down first. Remember, a panicked parent will only make things worse.
Then, very calmly, have your child take a puff from their reliever inhaler. The recommended dose is one puff every 30 seconds to 60 seconds. If you have a spacer, use it so that it determines the use correctly.

10 puffs is the recommended dose, which means it will need to be done over a 5-10 minute period. If your child still feels out of breath and is having trouble breathing after the recommended 10 puffs, you should call an ambulance so your child can get immediate medical attention.

What to do if symptoms persist

Never hesitate to call an ambulance if you find that your inhaler is not working well enough to relieve your symptoms. Even if it’s working but you’re still worried, ask for help anyway.

Of course, if your child doesn’t have his inhaler with him at the time, you shouldn’t waste time wondering whether or not you should call an ambulance. It is essential to get on the phone and ask for help as soon as possible.

What to do if symptoms improve

If your child has regained control of their breathing and symptoms are relieved after using the reliever inhaler, you should still make an appointment with your pediatrician for a follow-up appointment. This is very important. If you can, make the appointment within 24 hours of the episode.

A follow-up visit after an episode allows the pediatrician to do a thorough evaluation to see what triggered it and whether your child needs to increase their dose or change medication altogether. Depending on her findings, the pediatrician will also advise her on what she can do to reduce the risk of future attacks.