During an asthma attack, sit upright, take 2–4 puffs of your reliever inhaler with a spacer, repeat as per plan, and call emergency care if breathing worsens.
You clicked on this topic because breathing feels tight or you want a clear playbook before it happens. This guide gives step-by-step actions that line up with standard clinical advice and help you act fast while staying safe.
What To Do If Having Asthma Attack Right Now
Work through these steps in order. If a step is not possible, skip to the next.
- Sit upright. Stay still. Lean slightly forward with elbows on a table or knees. Avoid lying down.
- Use your reliever inhaler. Take 2 puffs with a spacer, one puff at a time, with 30–60 seconds between puffs. If symptoms continue, you can take up to 10 puffs as directed in your action plan.
- Keep the spacer on hand. One press per breath. Seal lips, breathe in slow and deep, hold 10 seconds, then breathe out.
- Check response at 5–10 minutes. If breathing is not better or you feel worse, call your local emergency number.
- Stay upright and calm while you wait. Take further reliever doses as directed by your plan.
Action Steps By Severity
| Severity Clues | What You Do Now | When To Call |
|---|---|---|
| Mild wheeze, can speak full sentences | 2–4 puffs reliever via spacer; check again in 5–10 minutes | If no improvement after up to 10 puffs |
| Breathless, speaking in short phrases | Up to 10 puffs as one-at-a-time puffs; keep sitting upright | Right away if worsening or no relief |
| Too breathless to talk, blue or grey lips, drowsy | Use reliever if you can; stay upright | Call emergency now; repeat puffs while waiting |
Use Your Reliever Inhaler Correctly (With A Spacer)
Good technique helps medicine reach the lungs. A spacer lowers mouth and throat deposition and raises lung delivery.
Quick Technique Checklist
- Shake the inhaler. Fit it into the spacer.
- Breathe out gently away from the mouthpiece.
- Seal lips on the spacer. Press once.
- Breathe in slow and deep. Hold for about 10 seconds. Breathe out slowly.
- Wait 30–60 seconds before the next puff. Repeat if needed.
If you use a mask with the spacer for a child, make a firm seal over the nose and mouth, and allow 5–6 tidal breaths per puff. Rinse your mouth after steroid inhalers to reduce throat irritation and hoarseness.
When To Call Emergency Services
Call your local emergency number (such as 999, 911, or 112) without delay if any of these red flags appear:
- Reliever does not help after up to 10 puffs or relief lasts less than 4 hours.
- Too breathless to speak full sentences or to walk.
- Blue or grey lips or nails, chest pulling in, or fast worsening.
- Peak flow under half of your personal best, if you use a meter.
While waiting, keep taking one puff of reliever every 30–60 seconds up to 10 puffs, unless a clinician told you otherwise. Stay upright and keep someone with you.
You can read the step-by-step emergency advice on the
NHS asthma attack steps
and keep a copy of the
CDC asthma action plan guidance
on your phone for quick reference.
What To Do If Having Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
If you don’t have your reliever inhaler, you still have steps that help:
- Call for help early. Ask someone to bring your inhaler or call emergency services.
- Sit upright. Loosen tight clothing. Avoid lying down.
- Breath control: slow nose inhale, then purse your lips and breathe out longer than you breathe in.
- Get away from smoke, dust, and strong smells. Move to fresh air.
- Do not use another person’s prescription inhaler unless a clinician has told you to.
Build And Use An Asthma Action Plan
An action plan tells you which zone you are in and what to do in each zone. Keep a copy on your phone and a printed copy at home and work.
What A Good Plan Includes
- Your personal best peak flow and green, yellow, red zones.
- Daily controller medicine, if prescribed, and when to step up.
- Reliever dosing during symptoms and clear emergency steps.
- Contacts for your clinician and local emergency number.
Review the plan every visit and after any attack. If you’re using your reliever most days or need repeats of up to 10 puffs, ask about stepping up controller therapy.
Aftercare: The Next 48 Hours
Recovery continues after the urgent phase. These steps lower the chance of another attack:
- See your clinician within 24–48 hours. Go sooner if symptoms linger.
- Check technique. Bring your inhalers and spacer to the visit.
- Track symptoms and peak flow. Log morning and evening readings for a week.
- Review triggers. Smoke, viral colds, dust mites, pets, pollen, and exercise are common drivers. Make a plan for each.
- Ask about preventer options. Many people do better with an inhaled steroid or a MART/AIR plan that uses an inhaled steroid with formoterol as both daily control and reliever.
Peak Flow Zones At A Glance
| Zone | % Of Personal Best | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 80% or more | Usual medicine; watch for triggers |
| Yellow | 50% to 80% | Step up per plan; add reliever; check again |
| Red | Below 50% | Reliever now; call emergency and follow red-zone steps |
Make A Simple Asthma Safety Kit
Keep a small kit in your bag and at home so you’re never caught out.
- Labeled reliever inhaler within expiry, plus a spacer.
- Printed action plan and emergency contacts.
- Peak flow meter and a small notebook or phone app for readings.
- Backup inhaler at work or school.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Stopping a controller inhaler without medical advice.
- Pressing the inhaler several times into the spacer before breathing in.
- Taking multiple puffs back-to-back without waiting 30–60 seconds.
- Leaving the reliever in a car or gym bag where you forget it or where heat degrades it.
- Ignoring rising use of reliever across the week.
Your Next Best Step
Save this page. Share it with a loved one. Place your inhaler and spacer in a spot you can grab with one hand. If symptoms flare now, follow the steps above and call for help early. You’re ready.