Recognising and responding to an asthma attack

Signs may include increasing wheeze, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, or a reliever that helps less than expected. Symptoms can build gradually or deteriorate quickly.

During an attack, muscles around the breathing tubes tighten while inflammation and mucus reduce the space available for airflow. Breathing out becomes especially difficult, and the effort of breathing may exhaust the person.

Triggers differ between people and can include respiratory infections, smoke, dust, strong scents, exercise, weather changes, or missed controller medicine. Identifying a possible trigger can support later prevention, but it must not delay immediate treatment.

Sit upright, stay with the person, and keep them as calm as possible. Follow their written asthma action plan and help them use the prescribed reliever with the correct device and spacer if directed. Move away from an obvious trigger without creating further exertion.

If there is no action plan, symptoms are significant, or you are uncertain about the response, obtain urgent medical guidance. Do not rely on steam, hot drinks, or someone else's inhaler as a substitute for appropriate asthma treatment.

Get emergency help immediately if breathing is severe or rapidly worsening, the person cannot speak comfortably, the skin around the lips looks blue or grey, they appear confused, drowsy, or exhausted, or the prescribed reliever is not helping. Continue following the emergency steps in the asthma action plan while help is coming.

Arrange follow-up after recovery to discuss the likely trigger, controller treatment, reliever use, inhaler technique, and a written plan for future symptoms. Ask when normal activity can resume and what early changes should prompt treatment before breathing becomes severe.