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 health professional to be sure that you know how to use the MDI and mask spacer correctly. Be sure your child uses them exactly as your health professional has prescribed.
- Depending on his or her age, teach your child how to check that he or she has the correct medication. 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 medications.
- Check the label of the inhaler medication 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 medication is left. Your health professional or pharmacist can help you and your child with this.
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After spraying one puff of medication into the mask spacer, your child takes one deep breath.
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: March 22, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology | |
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