What to do if you are with someone having an Asthma Attack.

02 February, 2021

It can be very frightening to watch someone having an asthma attack. They may be wheezing, or struggling for breath and panicking that they cannot get enough air. In severe attacks, their lips and ear lobes may go blue. People describe an asthma attack as if they were ‘breathing through a straw’, or even in some cases as if ‘suffocating’, ‘choking’ or ‘drowning’. They described ‘struggling’ or ‘fighting’ for air. If you’ve had first aid training then you may already know what to do. But if you need a refresh, please feel free to read this short, informative guide.

What an asthma attack feels like:

One young man said it felt as though he’d lost half his lungs, as though the air is only going down halfway and he’s only getting half the air that he needed.

Remain calm:

If you are with someone who is having an attack, especially children, you need to stay calm, hard as it might be, because panic makes breathing even harder. You need to reassure them that everything will be fine and then try to find their inhaler if they have one and help them sit upright in a comfortable position.

Causes of asthma

Asthma is a condition that is caused by an allergic reaction in the lungs, this is often a substance such as dust, traffic fumes or animal hair. The muscles that surround the windpipes in the lungs go into spasm and constrict which makes breathing difficult.

The severity of an asthma attack can vary greatly, and in some cases, attacks can become life-threatening and even fatal. The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) reports that the number of people affected by asthma in the UK is among the highest in the world, with up to 5.4 million people receiving asthma treatment.

Duration of an asthma attack:

Most asthma attacks pass within minutes and are not as bad as they sound, but if they have severe breathing difficulties, especially if there is a blue tinge around the lips or the inhaler isn’t having an effect, call an ambulance.

Common signs and symptoms of an asthma attack:

Difficulty in breathing
Wheezy breathing sounds which come from the lungs
Difficulty in speaking (they might need to take a breath in between words)
Pale and clammy skin
Grey or blue lips and skin (if the attack is severe)
Using the muscles in the neck and the upper part of the chest to help them breathe
They may become exhausted if the attack is severe
They may become unconscious and stop breathing if it is a long attack.

Treatment for an asthma attack:

Sit them upright and lean them on the table or chair if needed
Help them use their inhaler – this can be repeated every few minutes if the attack does not ease off
Talk to them and reassure them
If the attack does not seem to ease and looks as if it is getting worse call 999/112 for emergency help
Cold air cold can exasperate the attack so keep them inside.
Keep them upright and only lay them down if they become unconscious.
If they stop breathing start CPR

For more information about Asthma go to: https://www.asthma.org.uk/ Safe and Sound covers Asthma in its first aid courses. For more information go to: www.safeandsound.uk.net