An Incredibly Easy Method That Works For All
10 Apr 2021
Helping Your Child Use Their Inhaler at School
Before the autumn term begins, or as soon as you can after a diagnosis, arrange a short meeting with your child's class teacher, the teaching assistant who works with them, and the school office. Ask specifically about the school's asthma policy and how they store and administer medicines. Bring a copy of your child's written asthma action plan, which your GP or asthma nurse can provide. Explain your child's triggers, the signs that they are struggling, and exactly what to do if they become breathless or wheezy. Name the reliever inhaler and show staff how it is used with a spacer. Ask who will be responsible for getting the inhaler to your child during lessons, breaktime and lunchtime. Do not assume that every member of staff will know. Write down the agreed plan and ask for it to be shared with anyone who covers the class, including supply teachers.
Provide a labelled reliever inhaler in its original box with the pharmacy prescription sticker. Also provide a spacer. Check expiry dates every half-term and replace before they run out. Ask where the inhaler is kept and who can access it. It should be somewhere unlocked and easy to reach, not locked in a cupboard at the back of the office. For older children, ask whether they can carry their own reliever. Many UK schools allow this if the child is responsible and the headteacher agrees. If your child cannot carry it, make sure it travels with them to PE, the field, the dining hall and any off-site activity. A reliever that is locked away is no use in an emergency.
Children need clear, simple words to use when they need help. Practise phrases at home such as "I need my inhaler" or "I'm having trouble breathing." Tell them to speak to an adult straight away, not to wait until breaktime or the end of the lesson. Role-play what to do if the first adult they tell is busy. A few simple rules can make this easier:
For shy children, agree a secret signal with the teacher, such as a coloured card on the desk. Make sure your child knows who to go to: their class teacher, the teaching assistant, or the school office. Older children may feel self-conscious, so remind them that using their inhaler is normal and looking after their asthma is a sign of maturity. If they have a reliever with them, they should use it as soon as symptoms start.
Good technique makes a huge difference. Most children under 12 should use a spacer with a mouthpiece, and younger children may need a spacer with a face mask. Shake the inhaler, remove the cap, and ask your child to breathe out gently. They should put the mouthpiece in their mouth, press the canister once, and take five slow breaths in and out through the spacer. Wait 30 seconds between puffs if more than one is needed. For a reliever, they do not need to rinse their mouth afterwards. For a preventer, they should rinse and spit. Watch for common mistakes: not shaking the inhaler, breathing out into the spacer before the puff, pressing the canister too early, or breathing too fast. Practise once a week at home, using a dummy inhaler or the real one without medication. Praise them for getting it right.
School trips and residentials need extra thought. Give the trip leader a labelled reliever inhaler and spacer, plus a copy of the asthma action plan. For a residential, send enough medication for the whole trip plus a spare, and check that staff know where it is. For PE, your child may be advised to use their reliever 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. They should warm up properly and stop if they feel wheezy, cough or tight-chested. Make sure the inhaler goes to the sports field or hall, not left in a locked changing room. In an emergency, if your child is struggling to breathe, cannot speak in full sentences, or their reliever is not helping, staff should call 999. Ask the school whether they hold an emergency salbutamol inhaler for children with asthma, but do not rely on it. Your own labelled supply is the best backup.
Asthma needs change over time, so review the plan every term. Check the expiry date on the school inhaler, the condition of the spacer, and whether the action plan is still accurate. Meet the new class teacher in September and remind them about your child's needs. If your child's medication changes, tell the school office and the class teacher in writing. Ask your child how things are going at school. Are they using their reliever? Are they comfortable asking for it? If they need their reliever more than three times a week, or they are waking at night with symptoms, see your GP or asthma nurse. Poor control is a sign that treatment needs adjusting. Keep the conversation going with the school. A little planning each term helps your child stay well, join in everything, and feel confident that help is always nearby.
Selfhelpasthma Written for people who value the details, and want honest guidance they can trust.
April 25, 2019 at 10:46 am
Take in the iconic skyline and visit the neighbourhood hangouts that you've only ever seen on TV. Take in the iconic skyline and visit the neighbourhood.
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Soldman Kell
April 25, 2019 at 10:46 am
Take in the iconic skyline and visit the neighbourhood hangouts that you've only ever seen on TV. Take in the iconic skyline and visit the neighbourhood.