Quick question about salbutamol inhalers.

[madbutnotbad]

Hi, I've been to the GP today with DD2 (3yrs) and I've been given a salbutamol inhaler and spacer for her to use. Neither myself nor any of my familyhave ever had one so I was wondering if there was anything other than how to use it , which iI've been shown, I should know? I wouldbe very grateful for any hints or tips, thank you in advance.

[LJC123]

Hi
I've had asthma since being a baby and all I would say is to take salbutamol as and when you need as it is a reliever (opens airwaves). Doc may have said so many puffs so many times a day but you may find your DC needs more often - there's no harm in that but keep a note to let doc know at asthma check. Also make sure spacer is cleaned often as it can get grimy quickly x

[madbutnotbad]

Thanks for that I will do that. The doc hasn't said she definitely has asmtha but its a possibility so we just have to give tje inhaler a try and see if it helps her. I did wonder about the spacer as the instructions said wash once a week but not sure I like the idea of leaving it that long - my DD is a dirt magnet! Thank you

[sallysparrow157]

Don't clean it too often (though you can wipe the outside as often as you need) and use washing up liquid and let it air dry or you get static build up and all the salbutamol sticks to the sides of the spacer

[Weegiemum]

Dont do more than one puff every 30 secs. The propellant freezes the sides and so you don't get the medication out properly more than every 30 secs (my dh found this out from another doctor years after getting his inhaler!!)

[Tinkerisdead]

Just to add my dd (4) has an inhaler and it makes her a bit hyper/jittery. I now have one myself and it does my heart race. I quickly learned not to give ours just before bed.

[madbutnotbad]

Right, I will content myself with wiping theOutside and we will take our time. Thank you this is exactly the sort of thing that is really helpful to know but nobody tells you!

[superbagpuss]

I'm asthmatic since 7, my D's has been diagnosed with viral induced asthma which I hope he will grow out of.
hold spacer to child's face and count to ten, if child pulls it off before then it doesn't count.
space doses out rather then stop suddenly
it can be addictive, I know ventolin addicts and the feeling when you take your first puff and can suddenly breathe again is amazing. hence the slow down and space out doses rather then go from high doses every four hours to nothing
for night time doses we found it easier to do it in his sleep rather then wake him
hope this helps

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Let her explore the spacer when it's not in use, play with it a bit, give it to teddy etc.

[madbutnotbad]

Well we've just given her it for the first time and she was really good, didn't make any fuss. Thank you for all the advice, her big sister counted slowly to ten when she was doing it so she didn't try and pull away too quickly. Will certainly try doing it in her sleep if she needs it. I did ask her if her doll wanted some but I got shot straight down - apparently I should know better than to play with medicine! Thank you for the help I do appreciate it.