Asthma in children: Helping a child use a metered-dose inhaler and mask spacer
How to help your child use a metered-dose inhaler with a mask spacer
Before using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a mask spacer:
- Talk with your doctor to be sure that you know how to use the MDI and mask spacer correctly. Be sure your child uses them exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
- Depending on his or her age, teach your child how to check that he or she has the correct medicine. If your child uses several inhalers, put a label on each one so that he or she knows which one to use at the right time. Consider using different colors or stickers to help your child see the difference between medicines.
- Check the label of the inhaler medicine to see how many inhalations should be in the canister. If you and your child know how many breaths he or she can take, the inhaler can be replaced before it runs out. Learn how to test the canister to estimate how much medicine is left. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you and your child with this.
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After spraying one puff of medicine into the mask spacer, your child takes one deep breath.
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: March 20, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology | |
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