What should you know about emergency asthma treatment?

During an asthma attack, airway muscles tighten, the lining becomes swollen and mucus can obstruct airflow. This can cause [Wheezing](/symptoms/wheezing/), cough, [Chest Tightness](/symptoms/chest-tightness/) and difficulty speaking or walking normally. Emergency clinicians assess breathing, oxygen levels and response to treatment while looking for triggers such as infection or an allergy.

Treatment may include repeated doses of a reliever inhaler through a spacer, oxygen when needed, and steroid medicine to reduce airway inflammation. A [Nebuliser Treatment](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/nebuliser-treatment/) may be used when symptoms are severe or inhaler delivery is difficult.

Sit upright, stay as calm as possible and follow your personal asthma action plan. Use your reliever inhaler exactly as that plan says. If symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving promptly, call emergency services and describe the breathing problem. Do not drive yourself if you are struggling to breathe. Keep a list of your inhalers and medicines available for the clinical team.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, exhaustion, fainting, inability to speak in full sentences, or poor response to the reliever inhaler. A severe attack can worsen even when wheezing becomes quieter, because very little air may be moving. After urgent treatment, arrange follow-up to review triggers, inhaler technique and prevention.

Ask for a written action plan, how to recognise your personal warning signs, how many reliever doses to take, and when to call for help. Ask whether [Asthma](/conditions/asthma/) control, [Allergic Rhinitis](/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/) or [House Dust Mite Allergy](/conditions/house-dust-mite-allergy/) could be contributing.