Do you know what to do when your child has asthma?

Anyone who has ever had asthma knows how scary it can be. One of the main symptoms of an attack is wheezing or gasping for air. This can be accompanied by coughing or wheezing and abdominal pain. Symptoms are often severe. Fear is the worst thing you can do at a time like this. Your child is already scared and needs someone to calm and soothe them and give them control over their breathing.

Step by step The next time your child has an asthma attack, take a few seconds to calm him down first. Remember that worried parents will only make things worse. Then, very calmly, let your child take a puff from the reliever inhaler. The recommended dose is to spray every 30 to 60 seconds. If there is a gap, use it to determine the correct usage. 10 puffs is the recommended dose, which means it should be taken over 5-10 minutes. If your child is still not breathing and struggling to breathe after the recommended 10 puffs, you should call 911 immediately so your child can get medical attention. What to do if symptoms persist If you find that the inhaler is not working to relieve your symptoms, do not hesitate to call an ambulance. Even if it works, if you're still worried, by all means get help. Of course, if your child doesn't have an inhaler at the time, you don't have to waste time wondering whether or not to call 911. It is very important to get on the phone and get help as quickly as possible. What to do if symptoms increase If your child's symptoms improve after regaining breathing control and using a reliever inhaler, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your pediatrician. This is very important. If possible, make an appointment within 24 hours of the episode. Follow-up counseling after an episode allows the pediatrician to do a thorough evaluation to determine what caused it and whether to increase the child's dose or change the medication altogether. Depending on the results, your pediatrician will recommend what you can do to reduce the risk of future attacks.