What happens during an acute asthma attack?
If your child has an acute asthma attack, the lining of his airways will become even more inflamed and produce more mucus. Then the muscles around his airways will tighten and his breathing tubes will narrow. He may breathe rapidly, cough, or wheeze (make a whistling sound) as his breath is forced through the narrowed airways. You may notice your child’s nostrils flare or the skin around his ribs suck in with each breath. If left untreated or there’s a delay in seeking medical attention, asthma attacks can be deadly. As soon as you notice symptoms of an attack, promptly give your child the “quick-reliever” medicine prescribed by his doctor. (If you don’t have any emergency medicine, call 911 or take your child to the closest emergency department.) Once the medicine opens his breathing tubes, the symptoms should subside. If the symptoms persist or get worse, call 911 or take your child to the emergency department right away.
