On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to meeeee.
A blue inhaler to help me breeeeathe.
here we are as promised the first of the 12 first aid tips of Christmas. Mr Jingles has been working hard to help you enjoy the Christmas period, but should something happen you will know how to help.
He Has discovered from Asthma UK Asthma sufferers are being encouraged to wear a scarf over their nose and mouth to prevent asthma attacks this winter.
Breathing in cold, damp air can make the airways tighten and trigger an attack in three out of four people, charity Asthma UK says. This can leave people coughing, wheezing and gasping for breath. The charity’s #Scarfie campaign says “a scarf can save a life” but it’s not a replacement for asthma medicines.
What is Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects your airways – the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. You could say that someone with asthma has ‘sensitive’ airways that are inflamed and ready to react when they come into contact with something they don’t like.
Asthma tends to run in families, especially when there’s also a history of allergies and/or smoking
.
how can you recognise it?
- The person will have difficulty in breathing
- Breathing may sound wheezy.
- they may have difficulty speaking (will need to take a breath in the middle of a sentence).
- Pale, Clammy skin.
- Grey or Blue lips and skin (if the attack is severe).
- use of extra muscles in the neck and upper chest when breathing.
- Exhaustion in a severe attack.
- may become unconscious and stop breathing in a prolonged attack.
How do i help treat them
Sit them upright, leaning on a chair or table may help support them
help the person to use their reliever (blue) inhaler. use every couple of minutes if the attack does not ease.
Winter time is especially difficult as cold air can make the attack worse, try not to take them out in the cold air.
TOP TIP if you have to go outside use a scarf wrapped round the nose and mouth loosely as this will help warm the air being inhaled.
CALL 999/112 if the patient does not have their inhaler or it is not having an effect.
Try and keep the patient upright – only lay them down if they become unconscious.
If they stop breathing IMMEDIATELY START CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
Mr Jingles hopes this goes some way to help you and hopes you will be back tomorrow to find out how else you can help if the need arises.
Be Safe…………………………………………
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