Recognizing When An Attack Is Coming

Children will learn to recognize when an attack may be coming. Here are some of the most common signs:

• A change in breathing pattern

• A runny, stuffy nose

• A cough

• Feeling or looking tired

• An itchy, scratchy throat

• Headache

• Bad mood

• Difficulty sleeping

• Stomachache

These are the signs of a more serious attack:

• The child has great trouble breathing. The chest sinks in, and the stomach pushes out quickly as the child strains to breathe.

• The child can't talk.

• The child finds it hard to walk or to eat.

• Lips or fingers may look blue.

• Rescue medication doesn't improve the child's breathing within 15 minutes.

• A dose of rescue medication works at first, but the asthma comes back in less than 24 hours.

• The readings of the peak flow meter stays in the red zone after using rescue medications.