In an asthma attack the airways tighten and inflame, narrowing the air's path. The reliever inhaler (usually blue) opens them within minutes — but a severe attack may need more than the inhaler, and delay in calling for help is its most dangerous part.

In short — what to do

  1. Sit upright — don't lie down — and try to stay calm; panic tightens breathing further.
  2. Take a puff of the reliever (one puff every 30–60 seconds, up to 10 puffs) — ideally through a spacer if available.
  3. No better after 10 puffs, or symptoms return quickly: call 998.
  4. Repeat the dose after 10 minutes if the ambulance is delayed — reliever inhalers are safe in repeated doses during an attack.
  5. Stay seated until help arrives, and loosen tight clothing.

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Sit upright, one reliever puff every 30–60s up to 10 — not better? 998
Sit upright, one reliever puff every 30–60s up to 10 — not better? 998
The full details

During the attack

  1. Sit upright — don't lie down — and try to stay calm; panic tightens breathing further.
  2. Take a puff of the reliever (one puff every 30–60 seconds, up to 10 puffs) — ideally through a spacer if available.
  3. No better after 10 puffs, or symptoms return quickly: call 998.
  4. Repeat the dose after 10 minutes if the ambulance is delayed — reliever inhalers are safe in repeated doses during an attack.
  5. Stay seated until help arrives, and loosen tight clothing.

Before the attack: the asthma plan

Every asthmatic needs an "action plan" from their doctor: the daily preventer, the reliever for crises, and when to step up. Frequent attacks are not "just how asthma is" — they're a signal the plan needs review.

Call 998 immediately if

  • The inhaler isn't helping, or the improvement doesn't last.
  • Broken speech — cannot finish a sentence in one breath.
  • Blue lips, pallor and sweating, or unusual drowsiness.
  • The silent chest: wheeze disappearing while distress remains — a danger sign, not an improvement.

One moment

The most dangerous sentence in asthma: "wait a bit, it'll pass." An attack that doesn't answer your inhaler is not an ordinary attack — call for help early, and never apologise for it.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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