Symptoms & First Aid
How do I recognise worsening symptoms of Asthma?
Mildly worsening
Symptoms
Activity: Child continues with usual activities.
May be a bit quieter than usual.
Wheezing: Very slight. Sometimes may only be heard by putting your ear on child’s chest. Important: Wheezing may not occur in all children with worsening.
Muscle use: Muscle at front of neck may be going in and out slightly with each breath.
Breathing: Breathing rate is normally between 20-30 breaths per minute. (Rate decreases as child gets older). May be slightly faster than usual.
Cough: May be coughing more during the night or when running/jumping.
Talking: No noticeable change from usual.
What you can do
Give 2-4 puffs of blue reliever inhaler, one puff at a time, via a spacer. If no improvement within 30 minutes give 6 puffs. If symptoms return or become worse within the next 24 hours contact Practice Nurse/GP or Accident & Medical Clinic for advice.
Moderately worsening
Symptoms
Activity: Stopping to rest now and then. May have bursts of activity but still needs to rest more often than usual.
Wheezing: “Whistle” sound may be heard when breathing out.
Muscle use: Muscle at front of neck sucking in and out when breathing. Area below ribs sucking in when breathing.
Breathing: Breathing rate is noticeably faster than usual.
Cough: May be coughing frequently.
Talking: Needs to take a breath after 2-3
words or in the middle of a sentence.
What you need to do
Give 6 puffs of blue reliever inhaler, one puff at a time, via a spacer. If no improvement within 20 minutes repeat 6 puffs. If still no improvement within 20 minutes of 2nd lot of 6 puffs take the child to doctor or Accident & Medical Clinic Immediately.
Severe Symptoms (Emergency)
Symptoms
Activity: Sitting very still, wanting to be cuddled/held. Not playing at all or normal activities severely reduced.
Wheezing: Obvious “whistle” heard when breathing in and out. Important! If at any time the wheeze disappears with no improvement in child’s activity or breathing rate, dial 111 and ask for an ambulance. Give 6 puffs of blue inhaler (one puff at a time through a spacer / mask every 6 minutes until ambulance arrives).
Muscle use: Muscles at front of neck, the area just under ribs, and the area between ribs will be sucking in and out when breathing. Child may hunch over.
Breathing: Breathing rate is very fast compared to usual.
Talking: Needs to take a breath after one or two words or not talking at all.
Colour: Lips and / or fingernails may look bluish.
Take immediate action!
If you are alone, dial 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance. Give 6 puffs of blue inhaler (one puff at a time) through a spacer / mask every 6 minutes until seen by emergency services. If two people are present, 1st person dial 111 for ambulance and 2nd person administer medication.
How do I treat the symptoms of Asthma?
Salbutamol First Aid
What is Salbutamol?
Salbutamol is used to relieve symptoms of Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as coughing, wheezing and feeling breathless.
It works by relaxing the muscles of the airways into the lungs, which makes it easier to breathe.
Salbutamol comes in a teal blue coloured inhaler (puffer) and is a prescription medication.
5 steps
1. Sit the person upright
– Be calm and reassuring
– Do not leave them alone
2. Give 6 puffs of reliever medication
1 puff at a time to 6 breaths. Shake inhaler between each puff
3. Wait 6 minutes
4. Repeat steps 1-3
5. If there is no improvement after the third lot of reliever, dial 111 for an ambulance and keep giving 6 puffs every 6 minutes until help arrives
Symbicort First Aid
What is Symbicort?
Symbicort is a combination of two medicines, budesonide and formoterol, in a single inhaler. Symbicort is used to treat the symptoms of Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to prevent them from recurring.
- Budesonide is a corticosteroid. When inhaled, it prevents swelling and irritation in the walls of the small air passages in your lungs. It’s also called a preventer, because when it’s used every day it prevents shortness of breath and wheezing.
- Formoterol is a long-acting, fast onset bronchodilator. It relaxes and opens up your air passages, making breathing easier.
Symbicort comes in a white inhaler with an orange bottom. It is a prescription medication.
5 steps
- Sit the person upright
Be calm and reassuring
Do not leave them alone - Give one actuation (puff) at a time,
1-2 minutes apart - If there is no improvement after 4 actuations (<12yrs) or 6 actuations (>12yrs), dial 111 for an ambulance
- Keep using your Symbicort inhaler as often as you need until help arrives
- Even if you seem to get better, seek medical help right away