How to Use a Nebulizer for Children of All Ages
Making it Easier to Give Kids the Medicine They Need
Oct 13, 2009
Nebulized medications are liquid drugs that are changed to aerosolized particles by the force of air pressure from a nebulizer machine. This method allows the drug to be inhaled deep into the lungs. The drug enters the mouth and nose through a mouthpiece or mask, depending on the patient age and preference; such aerosolized medication usually is used to rapidly open airways, improve breathing and stop wheezing, cough and chest tightness. These symptoms, common with asthma and respiratory illnesses (even colds in some people), are treated with hand-held metered-dose inhalers in most adults and some older children.
Administration Difficulties
Nebulizers are difficult to use for many reasons. First, the machines can be loud and scary to children and can even surprise adults unprepared for the noise of the motor. Second, there are a number of parts to assemble and keep clean, so it takes time to develop confidence when preparing or disinfecting the tubing and other plastic parts. Finally, administering the medicine requires the child to sit still for up to 15 minutes to breathe in enough medicine for symptom relief.
Tips for Nebulizer Success
Children can grow accustomed to the noise of a nebulizer, especially with frequent use. Doctors, supply companies and disease-related support organizations aid the learning curve associated with using and maintaining the machine and parts; for example, the Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics provides videos, pictures and written instructions on how to clean a nebulizer after use.
How, though, can you convince a child to sit quietly and breathe into a mask to receive much-needed medication?
- Use a fun mask and give it a name. The masks, which cover your child's nose and mouth until he or she can breathe through a mouthpiece correctly, can seem large and uncomfortable. Most child-size masks for nebulizers come decorated with animal faces or bright colors. Naming the animal can help a child shake the fear and refocus attention on a fun aspect of treatment.
- Similarly, allow your child to hold the tubing and mask when not in use so that these parts do not seem unusual or scary when it's time for medicine.
- Your child receives the best treatment when the nebulizer mask is completely covering the nose and mouth and not floating nearby. However, you as the parent can hold the mask and allow your child's head to turn instead of remaining motionless.
- Sing songs together. Just because your child has a mask on does not mean he or she cannot sing or hum quietly during treatment.
- Play music during nebulizer use to drown out the loud noise from the machine.
- With your child on your lap during treatment and the mask in place with your help, read some favorite stories to make medicine time a special, calm time together.
Resources
Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation provide detailed advice, answers to common questions and locations of support networks for families who are coping with respiratory problems, nebulizer use or related circumstances.
References
Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics: Nebulizer Know-How
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