Generally, an asthmatic child’s condition can be kept in check using a control medication, but there may be situations where their illness can be inflamed to the point where they’ll require emergency medical treatment.
Your Child has an Asthma Attack without Access to an Inhaler
Asthma control medications like corticosteroids and immunomodulators do a good job blocking the body’s reaction to allergens like dust mites and plant pollen, but they are not fast acting. When an asthmatic person’s condition is unexpectedly triggered, they’ll need to be treated with a fast acting rescue medication, such as an albuterol inhaler. If your child has an asthma attack and does not have immediate access to an inhaler, you should get them to a hospital as quickly as possible. It’s only there that they can get they can get proper treatment, regardless of the intensity of the attack.
If Your Child’s Rescue Medication Isn’t Working
In some instances, your child may experience an asthma attack of such acuteness that their rescue medication will not be effective. If your child can’t catch their breath or stop wheezing 5 to 10 minutes after taking a few puffs from an albuterol inhaler, you need to get them to a doctor as quickly as possible. Getting medical attention quickly as possible is also recommended if your child has difficulty speaking or if their fingernails and lips take on a blue-grayish hue after taking a dose of rescue medication.
Your Child Experiences Retractions
When an asthmatic person’s airway become restricted, their body reacts in a number of different ways in order to get oxygen to their lungs. Hyperventilation is one of the most obvious ways, but it’s possible that they might experience subtler symptoms, like retractions. The term refers to a situation wherein the area between an asthmatic’s ribs and neck pull in as the muscles in their torso work urgently to suck in more air. If your child is experiencing retractions, it means that they are in desperate need of oxygen and need to be treated as soon as possible.
If you’re concerned about the state of your child’s asthma, contact us today to set up an appointment‘s. With his skills and experience, Dr. Shulka has been able to reduce his patient’s asthma related visits to the emergency room by 15 percent and he can help your child as well.
