Asthma first aid

Quick action may help prevent an asthma attack from becoming an asthma emergency.

Signs you are having an ASTHMA ATTACK

• You have increasing wheezing, cough, chest tightness or shortness of breath  
• You are waking often at night with asthma symptoms  
• You need to use your reliever again within 3 hours

When is it an ASTHMA EMERGENCY?

• Your symptoms get worse very quickly  
• You have severe shortness of breath, can’t speak comfortably or lips look blue  
• You get little or no relief from your reliever inhaler

Call an ambulance immediately: 

Dial 000 Say this is an ASTHMA EMERGENCY

Not sure if it's asthma?

If a person stays conscious and their main problem seems to be breathing, follow the asthma first aid steps. Asthma reliever medicine is unlikely to harm them even if they do not have asthma.

If someone is unconscious, start life support.

Severe Allergic Reactions/Anaphylaxis

If someone has sudden breathing problems (e.g. wheeze, cough, hoarse voice) AND they are allergic to foods, insect stings or medicines:

Call 000 for an ambulance

Give adrenaline first. Use their own autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen) if available.

Do this even if there are no other signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

Then follow the  asthma first aid steps.

If you are ever unsure about what you should do 

CALL AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY (DIAL 000)

Allergic reactions

Signs of mild-to-moderate allergic reaction: 

·       swelling of lips, face, eyes
·       tingling mouth
·       hives or welts
·       abdominal pain, vomiting (these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect 
        allergy) 

WATCH FOR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS OF ANAPHYLAXIS (SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION):

·       difficult or noisy breathing
·       swelling of tongue
·       swelling or tightness in throat 
·       wheeze or persistent cough
·       difficulty talking or hoarse voice
·       persistent dizziness or collapse
·       pale and floppy (young children)

ALWAYS GIVE ADRENALINE INJECTOR FIRST, and then asthma reliever puffer if someone with known asthma and allergy to food, insects or medication has SUDDEN BREATHING DIFFICULTY (including wheeze, persistent cough or hoarse voice), even if there are no skin symptoms.

First Aid for Asthma Children Under 12

Tremor (e.g. shaky hands) can be a side-effect of these medications. High doses can cause rapid pulse rate. Use it as needed for asthma symptoms. After the person is breathing normally again, do not keep giving extra doses.