If you have significant asthma, ask your doctor for a written care plan to guide you in adding medication as needed. If your child has an asthma attack, remain calm. Give the recommended medication and help the child relax. Make sure your child and his or her teachers or child care providers know what to do in case of an attack. Learn to use a metered-dose inhaler.
Inhalers help get the right amount of medication to the airways.
However, it takes some skill to use the inhaler correctly. A device called a spacer is now recommended for use with an inhaler. Ask your doctor to watch you use your inhaler and spacer to make sure you are doing it right. Ask your doctor about anti-inflammatory inhalers. People with asthma usually do better in warm, moist air than in cold, dry air.