Nursery World - What to do in an asthma attack

Sometimes symptoms are mild and all that is needed is a puff or two of a reliever inhaler (see below for how to use a spacer which makes this easier to do with a small child). At other times symptoms are more severe and more urgent action is needed. * Give the child their reliever immediately, preferably in a spacer * Stay calm and reassure the child * Do not put your arms round the child - this can be constricting * Help the child to breathe by sitting in an upright position. Encourage the child to breathe slowly and calmly.

* Give the child their reliever immediately, preferably in a spacer * Stay calm and reassure the child * Do not put your arms round the child - this can be constricting * Help the child to breathe by sitting in an upright position. Encourage the child to breathe slowly and calmly.

In an emergency

Call the doctor if:

* The reliever has no effect after five to ten minutes * The child is distressed or unable to talk * The child is getting exhausted * You have any doubts about the child's condition * Continue to give reliever medication (if necessary, one puff into a spacer every few minutes) while you are waiting for help to arrive How to use a spacer

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