* Give the child their reliever immediately, preferably in a spacer * Stay calm and reassure the child * Do not put your arms round the child - this can be constricting * Help the child to breathe by sitting in an upright position. Encourage the child to breathe slowly and calmly.
In an emergency
Call the doctor if:
* The reliever has no effect after five to ten minutes * The child is distressed or unable to talk * The child is getting exhausted * You have any doubts about the child's condition * Continue to give reliever medication (if necessary, one puff into a spacer every few minutes) while you are waiting for help to arrive How to use a spacer
* Fit the mask on to the spacer if necessary * Shake the inhaler well * Fit the inhaler into the open end of the spacer * Place the mask over the child's face so it forms a seal round the nose and mouth * Press the inhaler once and allow the child to breathe in for a slow count of ten * Remove inhaler and shake again * Repeat for each dose of the medicine
