To go to minor injuries with DS's asthma cough as we have run out of blue inhaler?

[woopsiedaisy36]

Obviously can't go to the Gp as not open. He's had a bad cough all week, no temp or other signs of a cold. We've been on a caravan holiday this week though and the weather has been very cold and windy especially at night which is what has bought on his cough. Cough is always his worst asthma symptom at night. We usually always have a spare inhaler but because of the extra use this week it's run out. He's coughing non stop now and I can hear a bit of wheeze, is the best option our local minor injuries?

Call 111 to get a new inhaler?

Ask at a pharmacy? They might sell / prescribe you one. If on holiday they might at least know the best walk in/minor injuries etc to go to.

Go to a pharmacist first. We left the medicine bag on the kitchen side when we were leaving for a uk holiday. We went to the local pharmacist and they were able to give me my daughter’s inhalers. I’m not sure if they called our normal pharmacy to check maybe.

If you’ve gone through an entire ‘spare’ blue inhaler in one week plus the one you were using then he needs to be seen by a doctor as that is far from normal use and he needs better asthma management / meds.

Pharmacies can usually do an emergency prescription for this.

I have done this many times before. I think it’s fine. It’s probably a waste of everyone’s time but you don’t want to take risks with asthma and better to check.

yes, get medical help immediately - definitely go to minor injuries if there is one available, and see a doctor in person

If he’s gone through an entire inhaler in a week he needs to be seen by a dr rather than a pharmacist, so yes I’d go to out of hours or minors.

I would find a 24 hour pharmacy
They will be able to prescribe you an inhaler now. Then you can make a gp appointment when they open on Monday. Obviously take him to a and e if it gets worse over the weekend.

Sounds like he needs a brown inhaler for a while too get to the GP next week in the meantime usually local pharmacy will give you one.

Go to a pharmacy they should be able to do an emergency prescription

It may not have been a full inhaler at the start of the week ?

Yes a pharmacy should be able to get you an emergency one

It feels like he's used a lot more than usual. There must be more allergens or whatever where you are. I used to get really bad asthma as a child when I slept away from home.
Call 111, he may need a doctor. But try and keep him outdoors or away from the place your in as it seems it's exacerbating it.

Child with worsening asthma definitely should be reviewed by a doctor. If you don't know the local area a pharmacy could be a good first stop as they hopefully can supply a blue inhaler for immediate use and advise on where to go for medical review. If no pharmacy nearby call 111. If he's getting worse go straight to nearest A&E.

Get him checked out. He might need a change of prescriptions including preventer to regain control.

DS has had bouts of frequent wheezing which while his sats held up, 999 have taken them seriously because of the frequency and repeatedly coming close/ tipping his threshold for using his reliever (multiple bouts per day)
Weather is a major factor for his triggers.

The first big flare up took a change of preventer and gradual increase of dosage and introduction of tablets to regain control after years of being stable which took a few reviews including emergencies to achieve.

I would be very worried about the over use of the blue inhaler, (Salbutamol, or similar).
Not to be alarmist, but this is how asthma deaths happen, when the airways are dilated by the short-acting salbutamol without addressing the underlying inflammation that you get from a brown or steroid inhaler.
It's v dangerous to solely rely on just the blue inhaler and safety checks by a doctor or nurse always check how often people are needing it, as that defines how you treat the illnesses, overall).
Have you got a Peak Flow meter?
Very useful to check and compare measurement against others taken when he has been well, ( ie, 'best peak flow')
OP, take him to Minor Illnesses to be assessed, he may need a 3 day course of oral steroids, especially if this is on the back of a cold. You'll be able to also ask for another blue inhaler.
( Asthma nurse here)
All the best.

I would say he should be seen by a Dr. Does he have an asthma management plan? It usually says clearly on there what to do at different levels of escalation including when to see a Dr. For example, on mine it says if I am having to take more than 8 puffs in an hour then it is a medical emergency and an ambulance should be called.

Sorry, cross posted with @Oneearringlost who has given fantastic advice

Was going to say he might need steroids but see an asthma nurse got there first. Take him to minors, needing this much salbutamol in a short space of time is very dangerous.

does he have hay fever? My asthma was unusually triggered this morning and this time of year is usually quite tricky for me.

Pop to a pharmacy.

I tried that once and was told I had to go through 111 first which, is frankly, pointless. 111 is going to take time++ to call you back/assess/issue inhaler prescription.

You’re probably better off shouting in a crowded place for a blue inhaler, odds are someone will have one

My daughter has bought one in Asda before now.

You can buy from a pharmacy or get a emergency prescription from your local pharamcy.

Don't just turn up. If you phone 111 they will direct you to the correct place and give you an appointment which means you won't be waiting as long hopefully.