Whilst brushing my golden retriever today with two young daugthers nearby, I started thinking about asthma attacks. I used to have them, seemingly at a young age but outgrew them. If any of my girls had an attack, I wouldn't have a clue what to do.

Can anyone tell me please?

Cheers

N N

You can buy ventolin inhalers over the counter in most pharmacies.

And then take them to hospital.

Well maybe there is a doctor here who can say definitively, but I would go to the nearest pharmacy and buy a relief inhaler with albuterol in it. Almost every store has this product: Ventolin inhaler. Then go to a doc and figure out what is going on. In case of severe wheezing and/or hives (allergic reaction to bee sting for example), go to the hospital immediately for a shot of epinephrine, because that situation is life threatening.

This is a case where Thailand is better than the US. In the US you can't get the good stuff like Ventolin over the counter without a scrip. Instead they have this lousy stuff with really bad side effects. In an emergency where you can't get an inhaler, dosing with strong black coffee is actually helpful against asthma.

If you are just looking for an emergency situation, I find the 17 Baht inhalers you can get at 7-11 offer some relief in about a minute or two because of the eucalyptus. Also warm (not hot) liquids without caffeine will help. A warm glass of water is fine. Even breathing into a bag to warm the air is a helpful emergency fix. In many cases that may be enough to fend off an attack.

As for medications if your children have never had an attack have a doctor decide what medication is best for them. It is not a one size fits all situation when it comes to asthma.

How old are your kids?

Have they ever had any attacks?

Did you ever have to go to a hospital to have yours treated?

4 1/2 and 6 months

no I didn't.

they haven't had any attacks.

Under the age of 1 1/2 years, true asthma is very rare, and it remains uncommon until about age 4. However, other conditions which can cause wheezing, such as bronchiolitis and croup, can occur at the younger ages If the little one develops any sort of trouble breathing, go immediately to the nearest hospital and do not mess around with self-treating. Ventolin will not help and is in any event contraindicated in children under the age of 4.

For the older child, should also go straight to hospital. Do NOT give Ventolin or other inhaler first as some patients (adult and children) have a paradoxical reaction to it and develop even worse bronchospasm. I once lost a patient from that right in an ICU of the hospital...the bronchospasm was so severe it was impossible to intubate her in time. Only a minority of people have this reaction, but it is not something you want to risk. Let the first dose of any anti-asthma med be given in a hospital setting. Once you know a child reacts OK then you can safely use it at home. (For child 4 years and over).