Asthma attack in children

When asthma symptoms suddenly occur, it's called an asthma attack. It's also called an acute asthma episode, flare-up, or exacerbation. Attacks can be brief (about an hour) or last for several days. They may be seasonal (similar to hay fever) or occur during any season.

When you have an asthma attack, airflow to the lungs is reduced.

During an asthma attack:

• It may be hard to breathe. You may feel short of breath. And your breathing may be rapid or shallow.
• You may feel like you can't take a deep breath (chest tightness). Children with chest tightness may complain of a stomachache.
• You may make whistling noises when you breathe (wheezing).
• You may cough.

Asthma symptoms may start suddenly or happen up to several hours after you have been exposed to triggers, such as tobacco smoke or animal dander. In some cases, symptoms may not occur until 4 to 12 hours after contact. Although severe attacks may seem to occur suddenly, they usually occur after several days of increasing symptoms.

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, when they occur, and your past health. You will have a physical exam. A breathing test may be done to find out how well your lungs work.

Quick-relief medicines are given to relax the airways so your child can breathe easier. Corticosteroid medicines are used to reduce inflammation. They may be inhaled or given as pills or a shot. Some asthma attacks may need treatment in the hospital. Your child may get extra oxygen or help with breathing if needed.

Follow an action plan

• Make and follow an asthma action plan. It lists the medicines your child takes every day and will show you what to do if your child has an attack.
• Work with a doctor to make a plan if your child doesn't have one. Make treatment part of daily life.
• Tell teachers and coaches that your child has asthma. Give them a copy of your child's asthma action plan.

Take medications correctly

• Your child should take asthma medicines as directed. Talk to your child's doctor right away if you have any questions about how your child should take them. Most children with asthma need two types of medicine.
  • Your child may take daily controller medicine to control asthma. This is usually an inhaled steroid.
  • Your child will use a quick-relief medicine when they have symptoms of an attack. This is often an albuterol inhaler.
  • Make sure that your child has quick-relief medicine with them at all times.
  • If your doctor prescribed steroid pills for your child to use during an attack, give them exactly as prescribed. It may take hours for the pills to work. But they may make the episode shorter and help your child breathe better.

Check your child's breathing

• If your child has a peak flow meter, use it to check how well your child is breathing. This can help you predict when an asthma attack is going to occur. Then your child can take medicine to prevent the asthma attack or make it less severe. Most children age 5 and older can learn how to use this meter.

Avoid asthma triggers

• Keep your child away from smoke. Do not smoke around your child or in your house, and avoid being around others who are smoking.
• Try to learn what triggers your child's asthma attacks. Then avoid the triggers when you can. Common triggers include colds, smoke, air pollution, pollen, mold, pets, cockroaches, stress, and cold air.
• Make sure your child is up to date on their COVID-19 and other immunizations and gets a yearly flu vaccine.