If your child has asthma, an asthma plan is one of the most important tools you can have. This written plan, developed with your child’s health care provider, will guide you, teachers, caregivers and even your child on how to manage asthma in different situations, from daily care to emergencies.

Take time to review the plan with your child and their caregivers now. Don’t wait until your child has an asthma attack to look at the plan.

The green zone reviews what to do when your child is feeling well to prevent asthma from flaring. This includes medications often called controller or preventative medications and are most often inhalers that are used 1 or 2 times per day every day. Not every child needs a controller medication. Some children with very mild asthma do not use a controller medication, but for many, these medications are essential for long-term control.

The yellow zone kicks in when asthma symptoms begin to appear. Each person may have slightly different symptoms with a flare but most include cough, wheezing, chest tightness, fast breathing and/or difficulty being physically active. This is when rescue or reliever medications are used. Most children are prescribed albuterol, either in a puffer or nebulized. Other medications used as rescue may include levalbuterol, budesonide/formoterol, and mometasone/formoterol. The goal of rescue medications is to end the asthma flare quickly and prevent more severe symptoms. Once the symptoms have resolved, you can stop the rescue medication – but continue the green zone medications during all asthma flares.

The red zone is for severe symptoms such as very fast breathing, difficulty speaking, severe shortness of breath and using extra muscles to breathe, like pulling in under the rib cage or at the windpipe on the throat. These signs mean your child needs immediate medical attention. Follow the red zone instructions and seek care at an emergency room, urgent care or your pediatrician’s office right away.

Every child’s asthma is different, and their asthma action plan is personalized. Understanding and following the plan can help prevent flares, reduce emergency visits and give your child the freedom to live an active, healthy life.

Take time to review the plan with your child and anyone who helps care for them. Knowing what to do in each zone can make all the difference when seconds count.