Asthma Attack

Asthma attack prevention

The most common triggers are viral infections (coughs, colds and chest infections), exposure to pets, pollen, sudden changes in the weather and exposure to cigarette smoke. Sometimes there is no obvious cause for your child’s asthma attack.

Things you can do to reduce the chance of your child having an asthma attack:

1. Get your child’s asthma under control

Children with poorly controlled asthma are much more likely to have an asthma attack compared to children whose asthma is well controlled. Make sure your child takes their preventer inhaler regularly as prescribed.

Signs of poorly controlled asthma:

• A regular cough at night (nocturnal cough)
• Wheezy or more breathless than other children when they run around
• Using their blue reliever inhaler more often than expected, for example more than twice a week

If your child has any signs of poorly controlled asthma they need a review. Make an appointment with their GP or asthma nurse. 

It is important to have a yearly asthma review with your asthma nurse or GP. Your child is 4 times less likely to end up in hospital with an asthma attack if they have a personal asthma action plan .

 ‘If their symptoms are worse see the nurse.'

2. Get the inhaler technique right

Watch these Asthma UK videos on how to help your child use their inhalers effectively.

It is vital that your child uses their inhalers and spacer correctly. 

Your child’s asthma will not be controlled if their medicines are not getting into their lungs.

Use an appropriate sized spacer with a mask. A spacer with a mouthpiece can be used if your child is over 3 years old, has a good technique and is not very short of breath.

1. Shake the inhaler well and remove cap

2. Fit the inhaler into the opening at the end of the spacer

3. Place mask over the child's face or mouthpiece in their mouth ensuring a good seal

4. Press the inhaler once and allow the child to take 5 slow breaths

5. Remove the inhaler and shake between every puff

Repeat steps 1 to 5 for each dose

Plastic spacers should be washed before the first use and every month as per manufacturer's guidelines.

See your practice nurse or doctor if you are not sure whether your child is using their inhaler and spacer properly.

3. Avoid triggers where possible

Although it is extremely difficult to avoid your child getting a viral infection or experiencing changes in the weather, you can reduce exposure to common triggers such as pets, pollen and cigarette smoke.

Even when adults smoke away from their children, smoke on their clothes and hair can make their child’s asthma worse.

Visit the Healthier Together page on how to stop smoking.

4. Your child should have an influenza immunisation every autumn (the flu jab)

Not only can flu trigger an asthma attack in your child, your child is more likely to experience severe influenza if they have asthma. Protect them by having them vaccinated every year.

For more information about the flu jab see our childhood immunisations page.