10/03/2026
ASTHMA IN AUTUMN: WHAT EVERY PARENT & EDUCATOR NEEDS TO KNOW.
Autumn triggers asthma. Cooler mornings, pollen, air quality changes—suddenly kids are wheezing and struggling to breathe.
If your child has asthma, you know the fear. But here's what many parents and childcare staff don't realise: asthma attacks can escalate to life-threatening emergencies in MINUTES.
**Early signs of an asthma attack:**
🫁 Persistent coughing (especially at night or during play)
🫁 Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing
🫁 Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
🫁 Chest tightness or complaints of chest pain
🫁 Fatigue or difficulty keeping up with peers
🫁 Anxiety or panic
**What to do:**
✅ Have their reliever inhaler (blue puffer) ready
✅ Help them use it correctly (sit upright, calm them down)
✅ If no improvement: call 000 immediately
✅ Continue to monitor breathing
**Warning signs of a SEVERE attack (call 000):**
🚨 No improvement after using inhaler
🚨 Difficulty speaking or staying upright
🚨 Lips or fingernails turning blue
🚨 Extreme anxiety or panic
🚨 Severe wheezing or no sound at all
**Prevention is crucial:**
✅ Keep reliever inhalers accessible at all times
✅ Know their triggers (exercise, cold air, allergens)
✅ Avoid triggers when possible
✅ Have an asthma action plan in writing
✅ Educate childcare staff on recognition and response
Parents—make sure your childcare centre has your child's asthma plan on file. Educators—make sure you know which kids have asthma and where their inhalers are.
One moment of preparedness can save a life.
Our HLTAID011 First Aid course covers asthma emergencies in detail. Let's make sure everyone is ready.
Learn more: www.deepbreathinstitute.com.au
