Your reliever inhaler (usually blue) isn't helping, or you need to use it MORE than every four hours
You are wheezing a lot, have a very tight chest, or you're coughing a lot during the day and/or night
You are breathless and find it difficult to walk/talk
Your breathing is getting faster and it feels like you can't get your breath in properly.
Some people do not have all these symptoms. If you are worried, feel unwell or have any difficulty in breathing call 999.
What to do if having an asthma attack
Call for help, sit up straight - try to keep calm
Take one puff of your reliever inhaler (usually BLUE) via spacer every one minute, for up to 10 puffs
If you feel worse at any point or you don't feel better, call 999 for an ambulance
REPEAT step 2 (10 puffs) after 15 minutes while waiting for an ambulance
If you are on a SMART/MART medicine regime, please follow your emergency action plan
If your symptoms improved without needing to go to hospital, please see our Emergency Recovery Plan, AND book an urgent same-day appointment with your GP
Inhaler Technique
Click here to perfect your inhaler technique. Having a good inhaler technique is crucial to ensure the medicine gets to your lungs correctly to control your symptoms, and reduce side effects.