What should you know about dry wheezing?

Wheezing may occur with asthma, acute bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or an allergic reaction. Allergic rhinitis can irritate the upper airways, while bronchiolitis is a concern mainly in infants and young children. The sound can be louder when breathing out, but it may occur on breathing in as well. A clinician considers when it started, whether it follows exercise or an exposure, and whether there is cough, chest tightness or breathlessness.

Sit upright, loosen tight clothing and move away from smoke, dust or a suspected irritant. Use a prescribed reliever inhaler exactly as directed; do not borrow another person’s inhaler. If symptoms are new, recurrent or not settling, arrange a clinical assessment. A nebuliser treatment may be considered by a healthcare professional when inhaled medicine needs to be delivered in a particular situation, but it is not a substitute for emergency help.

Call emergency services immediately for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, inability to speak in full sentences, collapse, confusion, or sudden wheezing with swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Rapidly worsening symptoms after food, medicine or an insect sting may indicate anaphylaxis. Seek prompt assessment for first-time wheezing, chest pain, fever with worsening breathlessness, or symptoms that keep returning.

Ask whether your pattern suggests asthma, infection, allergy or another airway problem, which inhaler technique is correct, and what action plan to follow if breathing worsens.