Focus on ‘How to give medicines: asthma inhalers’
There are different types of inhalers. Some are ‘preventer inhalers’, which are used regularly in order to prevent attacks - this is sometimes called asthma prophylaxis. Others are ‘reliever inhalers’, which are used during asthma attacks.
It is important that your child knows how to use their inhaler correctly when taking their medicine for asthma.
Children may be advised to use a ‘spacer’ device with their inhaler. A spacer is effectively a plastic cylinder which helps more of the medicine from the inhaler to reach your child’s lungs.
They can be used by children of any age, but are particularly recommended for those under the age of five years.
The information leaflet below explains how to use inhalers with your child.
An instruction leaflet will also be provided with your child’s inhaler. This will tell you how to put the inhaler together and how to use it.
There are different types of inhalers. They include ‘preventer inhalers’, which are used regularly in order to prevent attacks (this is sometimes called asthma prophylaxis), and ‘reliever inhalers’, which are used during asthma attacks.
If you are not sure whether you are using the inhaler properly, or need help, contact your asthma nurse or pharmacist, who will be able to show you or check what you are doing.