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What's an Asthma Action Plan?

Medically reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD

Having a plan makes almost anything easier, even asthma.

What's an Asthma Action Plan?

An asthma action plan is a set of instructions your doctor will give to you and your family. It will tell you how to keep your asthma under control and prevent asthma flare-ups (sometimes called asthma "attacks"). It will also tell you what to do if a flare-up happens.

An asthma action plan helps you keep your asthma under control. And when your asthma is controlled, breathing problems won't keep you from playing sports, having fun, and doing whatever you want to do. 

What's in the Asthma Action Plan?

What Medicines to Take

Many kids with asthma need to take medicine every day, even when they feel good. This medicine helps make the airways less inflamed. It’s sometimes called controller, long-term control, or maintenance medicine. If you need it, your plan will say how much of it to take, and when.

Asthma Action Plan button

Sometimes you need to take medicine because you are coughing more than usual or have other asthma symptoms. That’s another kind of asthma medicine. It works right away to make the symptoms go away. This is sometimes called quick-relief, fast-acting or rescue medicine.

What Makes Your Asthma Symptoms Worse

Some things — like smoke, pollen, and pet dander — can make asthma symptoms worse and cause a flare-up. These things are called triggers. Your plan will tell you what your triggers are.

Other Stuff

Because each kid's asthma is different, each plan is different. Here's some other stuff that might be in your plan: