Without trying to frighten anyone, it is wise to remember that asthma attacks
can be fatal. Memorise or write down your child’s asthma plan so that you know automatically
what the next step is.
It is important that an attack is not for granted - even mild asthmatics can have
severe attacks. If your child has an increase in asthma symptoms over a period
of a few hours or days and needs increasing amounts of reliever medication to
ease the asthma symptoms then this is the time to visit the doctor.
Asthma can deteriorate quite quickly if you ignore the warning signs. If your
child requires reliever medication every four hours or less, then NOW is the time
to take action - they need to get medical help. When reliever medication is
needed this often asthma does not get better by itself and steroids are required
to stabilise the condition.
An early visit to a doctor will mean that in the long run less medication will be
required. Going to the doctor when reliever is required six times a day may
mean a stronger inhaled steroid for a period of time or a very short course of oral
steroids. Waiting until you are taking reliever twenty times a day may mean
nebulisers, hospitalisation and a much longer course of oral steroids.
Call an ambulance if you are worried about the time it will take to get to the
hospital or concerned about driving them yourself.
Just like asthmatics of all ages, children will be very distressed and anxious
because they are having great difficulty in breathing. They will be gasping for
air and have difficulty speaking. Their lips and other extremities such as fingers
and toes may go blue as oxygen levels drop.
Studies have shown that reliever medication given two puffs at a time through a
spacer or aerochamber works as effectively as that given through a nebuliser for
most people, most of the time. It is easier to take medication this way than
using the inhaler directly into the mouth. Reliever medication can be given quite
safely two - four puffs every five minutes this way while you wait for the
ambulance to arrive.
No matter how frightened you feel, remain calm and encourage your child to
keep still and to stay calm because anxiety will only increase the breathing rate
and make matters worse.
