An asthma attack can feel scary. Your chest tightens, breathing gets hard, and the usual breathing rhythm disappears. Knowing the signs and the first steps to take can stop an attack from getting worse.
Common signs to watch for: loud wheezing, fast breathing, coughing that won’t stop, chest tightness, trouble talking in full sentences, and pale or bluish lips or face. If you use a peak flow meter, a big drop from your personal best is another red flag.
If you or someone near you is having an attack, stay calm and do these things right away. Sit upright—don’t lie down. Sitting helps the lungs expand. Use the rescue inhaler (usually a short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol) exactly as your asthma action plan says. If you have a spacer, use it; it gets more medicine into the lungs.
If there’s no written plan, a common approach is 1–2 puffs from the rescue inhaler, wait about a minute, then repeat up to three times while watching for improvement. If symptoms don’t improve quickly or get worse after the first round, call emergency services.
If you have a nebulizer and it’s part of your usual care, use it. Don’t try new treatments during an attack unless a clinician has advised them before. If the person becomes drowsy, confused, struggles to speak, or their skin or lips turn blue, call emergency help immediately—these are signs of severe breathing trouble.
After you’ve used a rescue inhaler, keep monitoring breathing. If the person improves, rest and follow up with their regular doctor within 24–48 hours. If there’s only partial improvement, or symptoms return, get urgent medical attention. Severe attacks can escalate fast, so don’t wait if breathing is getting harder.
If attacks happen more than usual, or you need your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, schedule a check with your healthcare provider. You may need a change in treatment or a controller medicine like an inhaled steroid.
Prevention beats panic. Know your triggers—common ones are pollen, dust, smoke, cold air, exercise, and respiratory infections like bronchitis. Take controller meds as prescribed, get a flu shot, avoid smoke, and consider allergy testing if symptoms match allergies. Using a peak flow meter helps you spot worsening lung function before you feel it.
Want extra reading? Check out our articles on bronchitis symptoms, Vitamin D and chest congestion, future allergy treatments, and non-drowsy antihistamine options. Those pieces can help you separate asthma attacks from other breathing problems and find practical steps to reduce flare-ups.
Keep your rescue inhaler handy, follow a clear action plan, and get help fast if things worsen. Small, quick steps often make the biggest difference during an asthma attack.
As someone who has witnessed a loved one suffering from an asthma attack, I know how important it is to stay calm and act quickly. Firstly, encourage the person to sit up straight and take slow, deep breaths. Make sure they use their inhaler if they have one, and if not, call for medical help immediately. Keep them away from any triggers, like smoke or allergens, and try to keep them as calm as possible. Remember, your presence and support can make a huge difference during an asthma attack.