Asthma in Children: Knowing How Bad an Attack Is
Overview
It can be hard to know if your child is having a mild, moderate, or severe asthma attack. The following chart may help you. Talk with a doctor if you can't tell how bad your child's symptoms are.
In most cases, you can take care of your child's symptoms at home by looking at your child's asthma action plan. The plan tells you what symptoms to watch for, which medicine your child needs to use, and when to call a doctor or seek emergency treatment.
| Factor | Mild attack | Moderate attack | Severe attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak expiratory flow | 80% to 100% of personal best | 50% to 79% of personal best | Less than 50% of personal best |
| Breathing | Normal or slightly faster | Faster than normal | Rapid, and your child may appear preoccupied with breathing. They may want to sit upright to help with breathing. |
| Breath | Mild or no shortness of breath; can speak in full sentences | Short of breath; can speak in short phrases or parts of sentences | Very short of breath; speaks in single words or short phrases |
| Chest | Does not use or slightly uses chest muscles to breathe | Uses chest and neck muscles to breathe. The skin between, under, and above the ribs collapses inward with each breath. | Uses chest and neck muscles to breathe and may open nostrils wide; may clutch at the chest |
| Skin | Normal skin color | Pale skin color | Very pale or bluish skin color; may sweat more than normal |
| Wheezing | Wheezes while breathing out | Wheezes while breathing in and out | Does not wheeze while breathing. This means there may be little or no air in the airways. |
| Alertness | Normally alert | Normally alert | Not as alert as usual and may appear anxious |
It is important to treat your child's asthma attacks quickly. If your child does not improve soon after treating an attack, talk with a doctor.
- During attacks, stay calm and soothe your child. This may help your child relax and breathe more easily.
- Don't underestimate or overestimate how bad your child's asthma is. It is often hard to know how much breathing difficulty a baby or small child is having. Seek medical care right away for babies and small children who have asthma symptoms.
Credits
Current as of: October 25, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
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All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
