Asthma - children

Does my child need any medication?

If your child normally uses a preventer inhaler or medication it is very important that they continue to use this.

They should take their reliever inhaler (usually blue):

          1st and 2nd day:                  4 to 6 puffs every 4 hours

          3rd and 4th day:                  2 to 4 puffs every 6 hours

          5th day onwards:                2 puffs when needed

Please make sure you give all inhalers through a spacer. This makes sure the child gets all the medication they need, directly to their lungs.

For advice on using your child’s spacer, visit the Asthma and Lung website: How to use your inhaler | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

If your child has been given steroid tablets (prednisolone) they need to take these tablets in the morning daily, for a set number of days. Ask your child's doctor for information on how many steroid tablets your child should take - this varies. 

Children with incidents of worsening asthma, don’t usually need antibiotics. If your child does need them, their doctor will tell you.

What should I do if my child gets worse?

If your child:

• is too breathless to talk, walk or eat or
• has a tight chest, is wheezy or is finding it hard to breathe

You need to sit your child up and give them one puff of their reliever inhaler every 30 seconds up to a maximum of 10 puffs.

If this doesn’t help, or you are worried, call 999 for an ambulance.

If your child is needing their reliever inhaler more than every four hours, or you have to give them 10 puffs (as above) please bring them to the emergency department.

Is there anything else I can do to help my child?

Please arrange an asthma review with your child’s GP or practice nurse, preferably within 2 days of being discharged from hospital.

It is very important not to smoke around your child. Smoking around your child puts them at risk of a severe asthma attack. Even smoking outside will affect your child as smoke can stay on clothes for several hours.

Reviewed by Dr A Taylor in February 2023, next review in February 2025. 

If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact the Patient Experience and Engagement Team on 01226 434922.

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