When your child has a chronic condition, such as asthma, it’s important to have a common, shared reference for their symptoms so that caregivers know how to react appropriately. That’s when an Asthma Action Plan can come in handy.
If your child has asthma, they know how it feels to have an asthma “flare-up” (attack). It’s hard to breathe. Their chest may feel tight or hurt. They may feel tired or get winded playing hard or during sports when they normally don’t have problems. These sensations indicate which “asthma zone” they are in on the Asthma Action Plan.
Your child needs to know how to tell whether they are in the green, yellow or red zone. Asthma zones are a lot like the colors on a traffic light. Green means you can go, yellow means caution or slow down and a red light means stop!
As your student prepares to head back to the classroom, take some time to review these guidelines with your child and share them with their teacher and school nurse so everyone is on the same page.
Asthma Action Plan
Green Zone: Go – You’re doing well
Your lungs are fine and you feel good. Your asthma does not get in your way of playing, sports or school. Keep using your controller medicines every day. Watch for triggers (things that set your asthma off or make It worse).
Yellow Zone: Caution – Your asthma may be getting worse
Your asthma is starting to flare-up. Ask an adult for help. Use your quick-relief (rescue) inhaler. You need to slow down and look for your yellow zone or early warning sign symptoms:
- Get tired easily with exercise
- Feels like it is harder to breathe or you are breathing faster
- Coughing, wheezing, or chest feels tight or hurts
- Waking up at night
Red Zone: Stop – You are having an asthma flare-up that may be dangerous
You are having a flare-up (attack). Tell your parents or another adult right away. Use your quick-relief (rescue) medicine now. Red zone symptoms include:
- Constant cough or wheezing
- Trouble breathing at rest
- Inability to play
- Breathing very hard or fast
- Getting worse instead of better
- Symptoms that start suddenly at night
- Quick-relief medicine is not helping
