Health Library

Asthma, Childhood

What Are the Causes of an Asthma Attack?

Even if your child has no symptoms, being asthmatic means that there is almost always some inflammation / swelling in the airways.

Triggers can cause inflammation to increase, which may cause asthma symptoms to worsen. Every child has different and specific triggers. (See "Reducing Asthma Triggers in Your Home.")

What Can I Do to Prevent Asthma Attacks?

• Follow your asthma plan given to you by your child's doctor.
• Give medicines as directed.
• Keep your child away from smoke and known triggers, if possible.
• Consult your doctor if your child gets a cold or allergies.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Asthma Attack?

• Repeated coughing
• Whistling sounds called "wheezing"
• Complaints like "My chest feels tight" or "My chest hurts"
• Activity decreased from the normal level
• Fast breathing
• Runny nose
• Working harder to breathe

What Should I Do During an Asthma Attack?

• Stay calm and review the doctor's instructions.
• Give albuterol treatment.
• Offer your child frequent drinks of water or juice. Fluids help the mucus stay moist and loose.
• If your child is coughing, encourage them to cough up the mucus and spit it out in order to clear the airway.
• Give medications prescribed by the doctor as directed.
• Have your child rest quietly.

When Should I Call My Child's Doctor?

• Your child has increased difficulty breathing that isn’t helped by albuterol or other rescue medicines on your child's asthma plan.
• Your child breathes fast.
• Your child cannot take medicines or fluids by mouth.
• Your child repeatedly coughs until vomiting.
• Your infant / young child's chest sinks in while breathing.

When Should I Seek Emergency Care / Call 911?

• Your child continues to wheeze, breathe hard or cough, even though rescue medications have been given.
• Your child becomes sweaty or complains of chest pain.
• Your child has a bluish color around their mouth.
• Your child's chest sinks in when they breathe in.

Which Medications Are Used to Treat Asthma?

• Albuterol
• Budesonide (Pulmicort)
• Fluticasone (Flonase)
• Fluticasone and Salmeterol (Advair Diskus)
• Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
• Ipratropium Bromide / Albuterol Combination
• Montelukast (Singulair)
• Prednisone
• Sodium Cromolyn