Patient education: Asthma action plan for children (The Basics)

What is an asthma action plan? — An asthma action plan is a list of instructions that tell you:

●What medicines to give your child at home each day, if any

●What symptoms to watch for

●What other medicines to give your child if their symptoms get worse

●When to call the doctor or get emergency help

Most action plans have 3 categories:

●Green means that the child is breathing well and their asthma symptoms are under control.

●Yellow means that the child is having some symptoms and needs treatment with a quick-relief medicine.

●Red means that the symptoms are severe and the child needs medical help.

How do I create an asthma action plan for my child? — You, your child, and their doctor will work together to make an asthma action plan. The figure is an example of an action plan for children (form 1).

The doctor will fill in the information specific to your child. For example, different children take different daily "controller" medicines. Some children do not take a daily medicine, and only need treatment if they have an asthma attack.

As part of the action plan, your child might need to use a device called a "peak flow meter." This is used at home to see how well your child's lungs are working. The doctor will show you and your child how to use a peak flow meter.

Your child's action plan will probably change over time as they get older.

How do I use an asthma action plan? — It's important to be familiar with your child's action plan. Review it before you need it so you are prepared if your child has an asthma attack. You might want to keep extra copies of the action plan so you can find it easily when you need it. Schools, day cares, and camps usually also require a copy.

Ask your child's doctor or nurse if there is anything in the action plan that you do not understand.

More on this topic

Patient education: Asthma in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Avoiding asthma triggers (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a peak flow meter (Beyond the Basics)

Patient education: Asthma symptoms and diagnosis in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma inhaler techniques in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (Beyond the Basics)