A nebulizer runs off a small compressor machine powered by electricity and is used either in hospital or at home to treat more severe attacks.
Liquid medication is poured into the reservoir of the equipment, and either air or oxygen is blown through the liquid to produce a fine mist.
Your child then inhales this mist through a face mask or preferably a mouthpiece.
It can be very useful, but there are disadvantages, for example, the noise the machine makes in use, the time taken to administer the medication, and its weight and size which makes it less portable than other devices.
How to keep a nebulizer at home? If your child is very young and has already had several severe asthma attacks, or of there is more than one asthmatic in your family, it is worth considering keeping the equipment at home.
Your doctor will be able to advise you whether this is necessary in your case.
You will need to keep the face mask and tube clean and dust free and replace them every few months.
Most of the companies that supply the equipment provide stickers of favorite cartoon characters to make the machine more appealing to a child.
When not in use the nebulizer should be stored in its own carrying case.
Some hospitals loan this equipment to asthmatic patients for home use, you can ask at your hospital if this is possible.
If you are planning to take your nebulizer abroad, check whether you will need to take an adaptor for the plug.
Keep nebulizer face masks and tubes clean and replace them every few months.
Sit with your child while he uses the equipment and make sure he inhales the full dose.