SUMMER ASTHMA WARNING - ADVICE FOR PARENTS
Asthma attacks increase during the summer and peak in September
Hayfever and other allergies can also be an asthma trigger.
Asthma attacks can strike anytime - at home, at a friends house, at a birthday party, while on holidays...
PARENTS - BE PREPARED!
If your child has asthma, make sure they have their reliever inhaler WHEREVER they are. Make sure any adults looking after them know what to do if an asthma attack strikes.
If you are looking after a child who has asthma, make sure you have access to their inhalers and know what to do if they have an attack.
Make sure children with asthma:
- Use their Preventer Inhaler Every Day
- Carry their Reliever Inhaler Everywhere
DURING AN ASTHMA ATTACK
1. Sit the child down in an upright, comfortable position. Try to reassure them and keep them calm.
2. Administer one puff of their reliever inhaler (usually blue) as shown to you by your doctor, using any equipment such as a spacer if it has been prescribed for your child. Administer one puff every 30 to 60 seconds up to 10 puffs.
3. If your child feels worse at any point, or they do not feel better after 10 puffs, call 999 for an ambulance.
If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your child doesn't feel any better, repeat step 2.
4. If your child's symptoms are no better after repeating step 2, and the ambulance has still not arrived, contact 999 again immediately.
If your child is having an asthma attack and doesn't have their inhaler with them, call 999 immediately.
For more information about asthma, visit our website at www.nichs.org.uk/asthmacankill
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Charity
