What Do You Do?
Common Symptoms of an Asthma Attack
Coughing ● Chest pain or tightness ● Shortness of or gasping for breath ● Wheezing ● Flushed, pale, ashen or bluish looking skin ● Speaking in clipped or short bursts of speech
1. Have the person STOP whatever activity he/she is doing.
- Send another person to get help. DO NOT leave the person alone.
2. Follow the person’s Asthma Action Plan or emergency plan if there is one.
3. If the individual has a RESCUE INHALER, have him/her use it IMMEDIATELY (preferably with a spacer). Generally, an individual should:
- Exhale/empty all air out of lungs, and place the spacer with inhaler in their mouth.
- Take 1 puff, hold breath for 10 seconds and exhale.
- Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute between puffs.
- Take another puff, hold breath for 10 seconds and exhale.
- Continue as prescribed, typically 2 to 6 puffs (usually depending on age).
─ Have the individual sit up and slowly breathe in through the nose and out through pursed lips. (pursed lips - imitate puckering lips to whistle)
─ Give sips of room temperature water.
4. REPEAT above steps if SYMPTOMS CONTINUE.
5. If SYMPTOMS CONTINUE SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP.
CALL 911 IF:
• YOU are not sure what to do – or
• Rescue medications are not working (symptoms are getting worse, not better) or, meds are unavailable – or
• The person’s lips or fingernails are BLUE – or
• The individual is having difficulty talking, walking, or drinking liquids – or
• The person’s nostrils are flaring out – or
• You see neck, throat or chest muscle retractions – or
• The person is in obvious distress, there is a change in level of consciousness, or the individual is showing signs of confusion – or
• The individual’s condition is deteriorating.