First Aid: Asthma Flare-Upsenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/P-FA-AsthmaFlareUps-enHD-1.jpgDuring a flare-up or attack, it's hard to breathe. While some flare-ups are mild, others can be life threatening, so it's important to deal with them right away.handling asthma flares, handling an asthma flare, handling asthma flare-ups, flare-up, flare up, flare ups, flares, flare, asthma flares, asthma attack, astma attacks, managing asthma flare-ups, managing asthma flares, asthma, my child has asthma, worsening asthma symptoms, when asthma symptoms get worse, asthma action plan10/16/200907/17/201809/02/2019Kate M. Cronan, MD07/12/2018512da67f-1e8f-4038-95d0-03beffb9ad64https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/asthma-flare-sheet.html/<p><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/first-aid-guides.html/"><img class="right" title="Parents image" src="https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/buttons/P-firstaid-enBT.jpg" alt="First Aid" name="4990-P_FIRSTAID_ENBT.JPG" /></a><br /> During an <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/flare-up.html/">asthma flare-up</a> (or attack), the airways in the lungs become irritated and swollen, making breathing harder.</p>
<p>Some flare-ups are mild, but others can be life-threatening. So it's important to know how to spot them and deal with them right away.</p>
<h3>Signs & Symptoms</h3>
<p>Of an asthma flare-up include:</p>
<ul>
<li>wheezing</li>
<li>coughing</li>
<li>chest tightness</li>
<li>shortness of breath</li>
</ul>
<p>Of a <strong>severe asthma flare-up</strong> include:</p>
<ul>
<li>trouble breathing even when sitting still</li>
<li>difficulty speaking without pausing</li>
<li>feeling tired or drowsy</li>
<li>blueness around the lips</li>
<li>the areas below the ribs, between the ribs, and in the neck sink in with each breath</li>
</ul>
<h3>What to Do</h3>
<p>Doctors usually give patients a detailed <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/action-plan.html/">asthma action plan</a> that includes how to prevent and handle flare-ups. If your child has an asthma <a class="kh_anchor">flare-up</a>, follow the plan's treatment guidelines. Because each child's asthma is different, each action plan will be too.</p>
<h3>Get Emergency Medical Care or Call 911 if Your Child:</h3>
<ul>
<li>begins to show signs of a severe flare-up</li>
<li>has a flare-up that enters the danger zone (red zone) of the asthma action plan</li>
</ul>
<h3>Think Prevention!</h3>
<p>To help prevent flare-ups:</p>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>Help your child to <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/asthma-triggers.html/">avoid the triggers</a> that can cause flare-ups.</li>
<li>Make sure your child takes the <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/controller.html/">long-term control medicine</a> as directed by the doctor — even when feeling well.</li>
<li>Make sure your child always has the <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/rescue-controller.html/">prescribed medicines</a> and takes them to school and on trips.</li>
<li>Be sure your child gets a <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/flu-vaccine.html/">flu shot</a> every year.</li>
<li>Work with the doctor to follow your child's asthma action plan.</li>
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