An “attack” of asthma is when asthma symptoms get much worse over a short period of time, like a few hours or days.  During an asthma attack, people can have trouble breathing even while they are resting.

During an asthma “attack”, the swelling in the airways increases even more.  The muscles around the airways get tighter making it even harder to get air in and out.  More and more mucus is produced which blocks some of the airways.  Some asthma attacks are mild, and can be treated at home.  But some asthma attacks can be very serious and cause a lot of problems breathing.  Attacks can occur very quickly, over several minutes or hours.  Sometimes attacks can build up slowly over many hours or days.

Asthma attacks go away sooner if treatment is started right away.  That means that it is very important to be able to tell when your child’s asthma is starting.  Sometimes, when asthma is just starting, the symptoms (or the way you feel) can be hard to recognize.  These early symptoms of asthma are called asthma “warning signs”.   Warning signs are different in everyone.  Below is a list of common asthma warning signs.  Some of these may not be warning signs for your child.  Some children can have other warning signs that are not on this list.

COMMON ASTHMA WARNING SIGNS

1. Coughing and/or Wheezing

2. Tight chest and/or Chest pain

3. Mucus in chest

4. Scratchy throat and/or Itchy nose

5. Runny nose and Sneezing

6. Stomach ache

7. Not able to exercise or play as much

8. Feeling tired and/or dizzy

9. Peak flow number is lower than personal best

If asthma is not controlled right away, sometimes the symptoms of asthma can get worse and worse.  Asthma attacks can be dangerous if the symptoms are very strong.  Some asthma attacks can be life-threatening.  It is very important to know when your child is having dangerous asthma problems – so you can get medical help right away.  Some very serious asthma symptoms are listed below.  If your child is having any of these severe symptoms, you should get medical help as soon as possible.

SEVERE ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

1. Breathing very fast

2. Loud wheezing

3. Can’t catch breath and/or can’t stop coughing

4. Can only speak a word or two, or can’t talk at all

5. Nose opens wide with each breath (called “nasal flaring”)

6. Ribs show with each breath (called “retractions”)

7. Lips or fingernails turn gray or blue

8. Babies who are breathing hard but stop crying or eating

9. Very tired or passing out

Peak flow number is in the red zone