Asthma pump: types, how to use and common questions

The asthma pump is indicated for the treatment and control of asthma and should be used according to the instructions of a pulmonologist.

Some of the most commonly used asthma inhalers are Aerolin, Pulmicort, Berotec or Seretide, for example, which can be purchased at a pharmacy with a prescription.

Read too: Bronchodilators: what they are, what they are for (and how to use them)
To use the asthma inhaler correctly, you must sit or stand and position your head slightly tilted upwards so that the inhaled powder goes directly into the airways and does not accumulate on the roof of the mouth, throat or tongue.

Types of firecracker

There are three main types of asthma bombs: those with a bronchodilator, to relieve symptoms, those with corticosteroids, which are used to treat chronic inflammation of the bronchi, and those that contain a combination of a bronchodilator and corticosteroid, such as formoterol and budesonide. , for example.

The type of pump to be used must be indicated by the pulmonologist, according to the intensity of the symptoms presented and the severity of the inflammation.

How to use the asthma pump correctly

See how to use the asthma inhaler according to your age:

1. In adults and adolescents

The step-by-step guide for adults to use an asthma inhaler correctly is:

1. Release all the air from your lungs;
2. Place the pump in your mouth, between your teeth and close your lips;
3. Press the pump while breathing deeply through your mouth, filling your lungs with air;
4. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and stop breathing for 10 seconds or more;
5. Rinse your mouth without swallowing so that traces of the medicine do not accumulate in the mouth or stomach.

If it is necessary to use the pump twice in a row, you must wait about 30 seconds and then repeat the steps starting with the first step.

The amount of powder inhaled is generally not noticeable because it has no taste or aroma. To check whether the dose was used correctly, you must observe the dose counter on the device itself.

Generally, firecracker treatment is also accompanied by the use of other medications, especially to reduce the chances of having a crisis. See which medications are most used in treatment.

2. In children

Children over 2 years of age who use spray pumps can use spacers, which are devices that can be purchased at pharmacies or online. These spacers are used to ensure that the exact dose of medicine reaches the child’s lungs.

To use the asthma pump with a spacer, it is recommended:

1. Place the valve in the spacer;
2. Shake the asthma inhaler vigorously, with the mouthpiece down, 6 to 8 times;
3. Fit the pump into the spacer;
4. Ask the child to release the air from their lungs;
5. Place the spacer in the mouth, between the child’s teeth and ask them to close their lips;
6. Fire the spray bottle and wait for the child to breathe through the mouth (through the spacer) 6 to 8 times slowly and deeply. Covering the nose can help the child not breathe through the nose.
7. Remove the spacer from the mouth;
8. Rinse your mouth and teeth and then spit out the water.

If it is necessary to use the pump twice in a row, you must wait about 30 seconds and then repeat the steps starting with step 4.

To keep the spacer clean, wash the inside only with water and let it dry, without using towels or dishcloths, so that there is no residue left inside. It is also advised to avoid using plastic spacers because plastic attracts the medication molecules to it, so the medication can remain attached to their walls and not reach the lungs.

Firecracker with spacer for babies and children

3. In babies

To use the asthma inhaler on babies and young children, up to 2 years of age, you can use spacers that are shaped like a nebulizer, surrounding the nose and mouth.

To use the asthma inhaler in babies, you must:

1. Place the mask on the spacer mouthpiece;
2. Shake the pump vigorously, with the mouthpiece down, for a few seconds;
3. Fit the asthma pump into the spacer;
4. Sit down and place the baby on one of your legs;
5. Place the mask on the baby’s face, covering the nose and mouth;
6. Fire the spray pump once and wait for the baby to breathe in about 5 to 10 times through the mask;
7. Remove the mask from the baby’s face;
8. Clean the baby’s mouth with a clean diaper wet only with water;
9. Wash the mask and spacer only with water and neutral soap, letting it dry naturally, without using a towel or dish cloth.

If it is necessary to use the pump again, you must wait 30 seconds and start again at step 2.

Frequently asked questions about the firecracker

1. Are asthma bombs addictive?

The asthma bomb is not addictive, so it is not addictive. It must be used daily, and in some periods it may be necessary to use it several times a day, to achieve relief from asthma symptoms. This happens when asthmatics enter a period in which their asthma is more ‘attacked’ and their symptoms become stronger and more frequent and the only way to maintain correct breathing is to use the pump.

However, if it is necessary to use the asthma pump more than 4 times a day, an appointment with a pulmonologist should be made to assess respiratory function. Sometimes it may be necessary to undergo tests, other medications to control asthma, or adjust the dose to reduce the use of the pump.

2. Is the asthma inhaler bad for your heart?

Some asthma inhalers can cause cardiac arrhythmia immediately after use. However, this is not a dangerous situation and does not reduce the years of an asthmatic’s life.

Correct use of the asthma pump is essential to facilitate the arrival of air into the lungs, and lack of use and inappropriate use can cause suffocation, which is a serious medical emergency. See how to act in: First aid for asthma attacks.

3. Can pregnant women use an asthma inhaler?

Yes, pregnant women can use the same asthma pump that they used before becoming pregnant, but in addition to being accompanied by an obstetrician, it is recommended that they also be accompanied by a pulmonologist during pregnancy.