How to Treat asthma attacks

Rescue inhaler and spacer

Asthma attacks can happen suddenly and can be scary both for the person suffering from the asthma attack as well as bystanders. Asthma attacks happen when a person who has asthma comes into contact with a trigger, such as an allergen, exercise or even cold air. The person has difficulty breathing, which bystanders can see by the person's wheezing or intense coughing fit. People who are suffering from asthma attacks need treatment quickly. Here is how to treat asthma attacks.

Things You'll Need

• Rescue inhaler
• Caffeinated soda

Instructions

1. Recognize the symptoms. An adult might tell you that he is suffering from an asthma attack, but a child might not verbalize this. The person might wheeze or have a bad coughing fit and is unable to stop. If left untreated, the person's lips and fingernails could turn blue or gray.

2. Stay calm. A person who is having an asthma attack is likely to panic, which only makes asthma attacks worsen. Reassure the person that she is going to be okay.

3. Remove the allergen. If you can identify what triggered the asthma attack, remove it immediately. Common allergens are dust, mold, pollen and pet dander, but many other allergens could trigger an asthma attack as well.

4. Administer a rescue inhaler. Ask the person if he has a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol. Follow the instructions provided by the physician on the prescription. If a child is having an asthma attack, you might need to use a spacer to administer the rescue inhaler. Parents of children with asthma typically store the rescue inhaler with the spacer.

5. Give the person a caffeinated beverage. If the person does not have a rescue inhaler, then give the person a caffeinated beverage to drink. Caffeine can help ease the symptoms of an asthma attack.

6. Call for medical assistance. A rescue inhaler can take up to ten minutes to begin working. If the person's lips are turning blue or if she continues to be in distress, call for emergency medical assistance. Err on the side of overreacting.

7. Make your location obvious. If you call for an ambulance, throw open the front door and turn on all the lights to make it easy for medical personnel to find your location.

Tips & Warnings

• The rescue inhaler will not always have immediate results. It can take 5 to 10 minutes for the medication to relieve the symptoms, so do not panic if the person's asthma symptoms persist for the next few minutes, as long as they are not worsening.

• A number of factors, including exposure to allergens, cold weather, viral infections and exercise, can trigger asthma.

• If the person's lips or fingernails turn gray or blue, take him to the emergency room immediately.

• Consult a doctor with any questions or concerns. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.