The number of children hospitalised with life-threatening asthma attacks has more than doubled in the last year, according to leading charity Asthma + Lung UK.
Reasons being cited include a surge in socialising post-lockdown, which has increased exposure to colds and flu viruses - both common triggers for asthma attacks.
Healthcare disruptions due to the pandemic have also meant that two thirds of all people with asthma did not receive an annual review in 2021.
Controlling the condition is key, and this World Asthma Awareness Day, mum-of-three Carrie Patrick is warning sufferers to stay alert to unpredictable changes after her own son almost died from an attack.
Carrie works as a practice nurse in Cornwall and regularly treats kids with asthma - but even her experience wasn't enough to stop her son from almost losing his life.
She told the Mirror: "As a nurse in a GP practice, I see children with asthma all the time and I understand the importance of managing it well, and recognising the signs that a child is in trouble.
"What I also know, however, is that asthma can be incredibly unpredictable and can change within seconds.
"All my knowledge and experience didn't stop Elliot from having a life-threatening asthma attack when he was six."
Elliot, now 10, is the youngest of her three children and the only one with asthma.
His symptoms are triggered mainly by hay fever, pollen, and the change of seasons.
But before the horrifying turn of events, she noticed that his symptoms had changed.
"He was coughing constantly and having trouble finishing sentences and he was really sucking in his ribs as he breathed," Carrie, 46, explained.
"When I took him to the doctor, he was put straight on a nebuliser and given oxygen, but it was clear to the doctor that things were very serious as he was rushed to hospital."
Carrie felt "incredibly vulnerable and scared" watching Elliot on the ward as a parent, rather than a nurse.
"I felt so completely helpless as I knew how seriously ill he was, and there was nothing I could personally do to help him breathe," she said.
After four nights in hospital, Elliot was discharged and his medication was checked and changed.
He's since stayed out of hospital - proving how crucial regular reviews are.
"Luckily, Elliot survived but that experience will always stay with me," Carrie said.
"It could have been fatal and we've seen a lot of people with uncontrolled asthma sadly pass away."
Carrie explained that it's very easy for parents to think that everything is fine - when really it's not.
"As a nurse, I knew exactly how serious asthma could be, and I knew what signs to look out for, but other parents don't always realise how serious asthma can potentially be," she said.
"I see too many children over-using their reliever inhaler because they're struggling to breathe.
"The best thing Elliot's doctors did for him was to give him a preventer inhaler which has made an incredible difference to his asthma and kept him out of hospital.
"That is why taking a child for asthma reviews and inhaler technique checks is so crucial.
"It's a chance to check that they are on the right medication and everyone knows exactly what to do if their breathing deteriorates."
Most surgeries tend to book annual reviews in for the same month the child is born - so parents should get in touch around birthdays if they haven't heard anything.
Sarah Woolnough, CEO at Asthma + Lung UK, said: "There is no such thing as mild asthma - as anyone with the condition could end up having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
"Even without an asthma diagnosis, if a parent is concerned about their child's breathing, they should call their GP or 111, or if they are extremely worried, get urgent help by calling 999.
"Many hospital admissions occur in the under-fives when a child might not typically have a confirmed diagnosis."
What to do if your child has an asthma attack
It is crucial that parents are familiar with what to do in an emergency. Here are five steps to follow if a child is having an asthma attack:
- Get your child to sit up, rather than lying them down, and keep them calm.
- Help them to take one puff of their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with their spacer every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs.
- If you don't have their reliever, it's not helping, or you are worried at any time, call 999 for an ambulance.
- If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes, or the child's symptoms aren't improving, repeat step two.
- If there's no improvement, call 999 again immediately.
How to prevent your child having an asthma attack
"We know that life can be hectic for parents, and a child's asthma might not be front of mind, especially if they rarely display symptoms," Sarah explained.
"But asthma is not always predictable, which is why it is crucial that all children with asthma receive basic asthma care, which includes:
- Helping your child take a preventer inhaler every day.
- Regular inhaler checks.
- An asthma action plan.
- An asthma review at least once a year.
- A follow up by the child's GP at least 48 hours after an asthma attack."
For more information on caring for a child with asthma, visit Asthma + Lung UK's website.
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