Asthma Week 2: How to Handle a Flare-Up

Kids who have asthma flare-ups (also called “asthma attacks”) may wheeze, cough, or have trouble breathing. 

To prepare for a flare-up, always have quick-relief medicine with you, no matter where you are. Also carry your child’s asthma action plan. If your child has a flare-up, follow the plan. 

The asthma action plan tells you what medicines to give, when to give them, when to call the doctor's office, and when to go to the ER. When you follow the asthma action plan and give medicines as prescribed, it's less likely that you'll need to visit the ER. But go to the ER or call 911 if your child:

• has constant wheezing
• keeps needing quick-relief medicine for severe symptoms that don't go away after 5 or 10 minutes, or come back quickly
• has trouble talking
• has blue or gray lips and fingernails
• has trouble breathing, causing the neck and rib areas to sink in with each breath 

Asthma Flare-ups: What Happens?

See how asthma flare-ups affect breathing. 

This publication was made possible by Grant 1C1CMS331017 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The contents of this newsletter are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Health and Human Services or any of its agencies.