Asthma and sleepovers

Managing triggers

A new or unfamiliar environment could trigger your child’s asthma or allergies. Make sure your child’s asthma is well-managed before you consider whether staying the night at a friend’s place is right for your child, especially if they have never stayed there before.

It is also important your child feels comfortable enough to ask for help if they start to experience symptoms during their stay.

• Ask if the friend’s home is vape, cigarette and smoke free as this can trigger asthma symptoms.
• Find out about any pets that your child might be allergic to.
• Provide a sleeping bag or other bedding to reduce possible symptoms due to dust.
• Provide a plastic sheet or sleeping mat for between flooring and bedding if your child is sleeping on the floor.
• Make sure that the adult in charge and your child are aware of possible activities that could be an issue e.g. pillow fights, hide-and-seek in high pollen, dusty or mouldy areas.
• Make sure the adult in charge is aware of any food allergies your child may have.

Medications

• Put your child’s medications as well as a copy of their asthma action plan into a small bag so they can easily access it.
• If you child is young, then give the bag to the adult in charge. Make sure they understand what care is needed and what to do in case of an emergency.

School camps

• Make sure the school has an up-to-date copy of your child’s asthma action plan and enough medication to last the entire trip, plus some extra.
• Make sure teachers or parents supervising the trip understand how to treat your child if they experience an asthma attack, particularly in remote locations.

First aid for asthma

If your child experiences asthma during a sleepover:

• Follow their personal written asthma action plan.
• If you don’t have an action plan, take 4 separate puffs of a blue/grey reliever via a spacer.
• If the symptoms aren’t going away or are getting worse, then follow the steps in first aid for asthma.

First aid for asthma chart tailored to combination inhalers

This first aid for asthma chart is based on combination inhalers with Formoterol (Symbicort, Fostair, DuoResp, BiResp) and outlines how to use one of these inhalers if this is the person’s usual reliever. It is designed for patients using a combination preventer and reliever medication that uses formoterol as the reliever. 

Download first aid for asthma charts: 

First aid for asthma 12+ 
First aid for asthma children under 12 

Disclaimer
It is important to note that information contained in this fact sheet is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.