Asthma: Home Care Guidelines
Important information:
Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause coughing, wheezing (a whistling noise), and fast breathing. It affects the airways, making it difficult for your child to breathe. After treatment, your child may still experience coughing, mild wheezing, a runny or congested nose, and possibly a low-grade fever for a few days.
Patient instructions:
Asthma medicines
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Albuterol (Ventolin® or Proventil®) is the best treatment for asthma attacks. It can be given in one of two ways: either with a hand-held inhaler (with a spacer attached) or with a nebulizer machine for a breathing treatment. Both methods work equally well.
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Give albuterol every 4 hours for the next few days until your child's breathing improves. Important: If your child needs albuterol more often than every 4 hours contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency department.
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Common side effects of albuterol include a fast heartbeat and increased activity. These effects are temporary and will go away when your child is no longer receiving albuterol.
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Your child may also be prescribed dexamethasone (or prednisone/prednisolone), a steroid that reduces inflammation in the airways. Take by mouth as directed by your prescription. For younger children, you can crush the dexamethasone tablet and mix it with juice or yogurt.
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Other asthma medicines, including your child’s maintenance inhaler, should be taken as prescribed. Please refer to your asthma action plan for details.
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If you received an inhaler or spacer, please remember to take it home with you. Learn more about giving an inhaler with a spacer and mask or spacer and mouthpiece.
Triggers
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Keep your child away from smoke (including tobacco and e-cigarette smoke), which can worsen asthma symptoms.
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If exercise triggers wheezing, talk to your healthcare provider about giving your child albuterol before physical activities.
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Learn more about other common triggers.
What to do during future asthma attacks
School and follow-up care
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Your child can return to school once their shortness of breath has resolved.
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Schedule a follow-up visit with your primary care provider within 2–3 days to review your child’s condition. They may adjust medications to prevent future attacks and emergency visits.
Contact your CHOP healthcare team or seek emergency care if:
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Your child needs albuterol more than every 4 hours.
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Your child has difficulty speaking because of shortness of breath.
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Your child is using their neck, chest, and stomach muscles to breathe (retractions).
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Your child's wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and retractions do not improve with albuterol.
Learn more: Visit chop.edu and search “asthma” for additional resources and education.
Watch the videos below:
Parent survey
If you received care in the emergency department for asthma, please scan the QR code below to help us learn about your experience and your child’s health. By completing this form or responding to the text you received, you agree to be contacted by text message in 7-10 days. Your participation will help improve future care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Reviewed November 2024 by Shikha Saxena, MD