Childhood asthma has become widespread in recent decades, according to MayoClinic.com. Asthma medication can be delivered to the lungs by either an inhaler or nebulizer. Young children often need to use a nebulizer to take their asthma medication because it is difficult for them to use other inhaler devices.
Nebulizer
A nebulizer is an electric or battery-powered machine that turns liquid asthma medicine into a fine mist to be breathed into the lungs by your child. Nebulizers come in different sizes and shapes and can be bulky and noisy.
Nebulizer Users
Nebulizers can be used by anyone with asthma, but they are often used by young children because it requires little effort on the part of the child.
How It Works
To use a nebulizer, the child wears a mouthpiece or face-mask attached to the machine to breathe in the fine mist. The child wears the mask and breathes normally for five to 10 minutes, or until all the medicine is gone. The child will need to stay in one place during the treatment. The nebulizer can also be used on your child while she is sleeping.
Effectiveness
The nebulizer may be less effective if your child is crying during the use, because less medicine will be inhaled. According to KidsHealth, if the mask is held one-half inch away from your child's face, half the medicine will not reach the lungs. If the mask is held 1 inch away, 80 percent of the medicine is lost.
Making the Nebulizer Fun
Some children may resist wearing the face mask or sitting still for the time required to take the medication. You can make the treatment more enjoyable by pretending the mask is a pilot mask or space mask. You can also buy animal-shaped masks, allow your child to decorate the nebulizer machine, let your child sit in your lap during treatment or turn on her favorite television show. It is also important to make the nebulizer a part of your daily routine.
Considerations
According to KidsHealth, studies show that it really doesn't matter which method of taking asthma medication is used, as long as it is used properly. You should use whichever method your child likes and get the medication recommended.
