Why do people wheeze?
A wheeze is a whistling sound when breathing. It happens when the air tubes in the lungs get narrow.
These tubes can swell and fill with mucus. This can happen with a cold, asthma, or things like smoke, pollution, or allergens.
When the tubes are tight, it is hard to breathe out. This can also cause coughing.
When does wheeze happen?
Any child can wheeze. It often happens with a cold or virus. This is called a viral wheeze.
Children with asthma can wheeze when something triggers it, such as colds, cold weather, smoke, pets, or pollen.
Children around cigarette smoke are more likely to wheeze.
Does this mean my child has asthma?
Many young children wheeze, but most do not get asthma later.
Some children do develop asthma as they grow up. This is more likely if there is asthma, eczema, or food allergy in the family.
What should I do if my child wheezes?
You may have been given a blue (reliever) inhaler. This helps open the breathing tubes.
Give it when your child is wheezy or starting a cold. It should help within a few minutes.
You do not need to use it when your child is well.
After leaving hospital
Check your child’s breathing every four hours, including at night and in the morning.
Follow the flow chart on page four of the PDF at the top of the page if your child is wheezy
Get help urgently if:
- Your child is not getting better after six puffs
- You need to give up to 10 puffs
- Call 999 if you are very worried
Other important points:
- Keep giving regular preventer inhalers (if prescribed)
- Give steroid medicine if prescribed
Follow-up:
- If your child has asthma, see your GP within 48 hours
- All children with asthma need a yearly review
Check your inhaler is not empty
Some blue inhalers do not have a dose counter.
They can still “puff” even when empty. This means no medicine may come out.
What to do
- Keep track of how often you use it
- Always have a spare inhaler
- Replace it if you think it may be empty
- Do not rely on shaking it
If you are not sure
In hospital, inhalers can be checked by weighing the canister. At home, it is safest to use a new inhaler if unsure.
Treating your child’s wheeze at home with Salbutamol (blue inhaler)
Is your child wheezy, breathless, or working hard to breathe?
Yes
- Give two puffs of the blue inhaler (one at a time) with a spacer
- Wait 10 minutes
- If not better, give two more puffs
- Repeat up to six puffs total
No
- Keep checking your child every four hours
If yes, Is your child’s breathing getting better?
Yes
- No inhaler needed
- Check breathing every four hours (or sooner if you are concerned)
No
- Give up to 10 puffs (one at a time) with a spacer
- Get urgent medical help now
- Call 999 if very worried
You can use the table of page five of the PDF at the top of the page to track your child’s progress.
My Wheeze Plan:
I am well
I have no cough/wheeze
I am doing normal activities
Do
- If prescribed I need to take my preventer medicines every day (even if I am well).
I am getting worse
I have a cold or feel unwell
I am coughing or wheezing
Do
- My reliever inhaler is salbutamol (blue inhaler).
- Give two puffs with a spacer when needed
- You can give it every four hours
I am worse
My coughing/wheezing is getting worse
I feel short of breath
My chest feels tight
Do
- Give up to six puffs of the blue inhaler every four hours using a spacer
I need help now
I am too breathless to eat or talk
My breathing is very fast or hard
I am coughing or wheezing a lot
My blue inhaler is not lasting four hours
Do
- Give 10 puffs of the blue inhaler (one at a time) using a spacer
- Not better? Call 999 now. While waiting: Give 10 puffs every 15 minutes
- Feeling better? If the inhaler lasts four hours: Contact your GP today. Keep giving up to 10 puffs every four hours until seen. If you cannot see a GP today, call 111
How to use a spacer
- Shake the inhaler and take off the cap
- Put the inhaler into the spacer
- Put the mouthpiece in your child’s mouth (or place the mask over the nose and mouth)
- Press the inhaler once
- Let your child take five normal breaths
- Remove the spacer
- If another puff is needed, wait 30 seconds and repeat
Top tip:
If the inhaler is a steroid:
- Rinse your child’s mouth or brush their teeth
- Wipe their face if a mask is used
- You can watch a video at Asthma UK on how to use an inhaler – www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/inhaler-videos
Keep your child away from smoke and vaping.
Breathing in smoke or vapour can harm their lungs and make wheeze worse. This includes cigarette smoke and e cigarette (vape) vapour. Smoke and vapour can stay on clothes, hair, and in the air – even if you smoke or vape outside.
Click this link to find support if you want help to stop smoking or vaping –
www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/stop-smoking-support-services
Learn how to help in an emergency
Learn CPR now. There won’t be time later.
Knowing what to do in an emergency can save a life.
Learning CPR can help you act quickly if someone stops breathing.
Scan the QR code to learn CPR and find local training – www.resus.org.uk/cpr?utm_source=RCUK_medium=socialmediaassets_date=August2022
Contact Numbers
Leeds General Infirmary
Main switchboard
