Your child might get some or all of the following.

If your child has a bad asthma attack, they may not get enough oxygen into their body. This can mean they get blue lips, fingers, toes, tongue or skin. If this happens, it's an emergency. You need to call 911 or get your child to the hospital urgently.

Some children have mild asthma, with only occasional wheezing and coughing. Others might have symptoms on most days and need to take long periods of time off school when their symptoms get very bad. It's also hard to predict how long an asthma attack will last or how severe it will be. Some might last just an hour or so, while others go on for days or even weeks.

When your child gets asthma symptoms it's called an asthma attack. It can be mild or severe.

Mild attacks are common. Your child might start to cough or get a feeling of tightness in the chest. He or she might make a whistling sound when breathing (called a wheez e). When this happens, your child should use his or her quick-relief inhaler. Your child's airways should open, making it easier to breathe.

If your child's medication doesn't help, or his or her symptoms get worse, you should call your doctor.

Sometimes your child's symptoms might get better but then get worse again, often about four to six hours later. This second set of symptoms is called a late reaction.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
American Lung Association
Childhood asthma: an overview

 

 

 

 

 

¹ It can be worse than the first attack.

A late reaction happens because your child's airways have become more sensitive to the things that are triggering his or her asthma. Your child might need to keep taking asthma medications for a few days to prevent more attacks. Call your doctor if his or her symptoms seem out of control.

See How can I tell when my child's asthma is getting out of control?

In a severe asthma attack, symptoms get worse quickly. Your child will find it more and more difficult to breathe. You might also notice:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Global Initiative for Asthma.
You can control your asthma.
June 2007. Available at http://www.ginasthma.com/Patients.asp (accessed on 12 October 2007).

 

 

 

 

 

²

If this happens, call 911 or take your child to your doctor or to your nearest emergency room as quickly as you can.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.