Asthma action plans offer guidelines and procedures to follow in the event of an asthma attack. They also offer information that can help reduce or prevent asthma symptoms. Asthma action plans are crucial for children who have asthma, and for the caregivers who watch over them. Parents, relatives, babysitters, school officials, coaches and other caregivers should be aware of a child’s asthma action plan, and know how to use it properly in the event of an asthma attack.

Once asthma has been diagnosed in a child, a physician will work with the patient and his or her parents to develop step-by-step instructions for what to do when symptoms begin to appear. Asthma action plans categorize symptoms according to three colors, with each color indicating an appropriate level of response. These levels dictate how a child and caretaker should respond to asthma symptoms:

• Green: Indicates that the child is doing well, with no significant asthma symptoms.
  
  
• Yellow: Symptoms and warning signs such as coughing, wheezing and mild shortness of breath indicate an asthma attack may be imminent.
  
  
• Red: Symptoms such as frequent and severe coughing, severe shortness of breath and rapid breathing indicate that immediate medical attention is needed.

Asthma action plans also include basic information about a child’s asthma condition. This information usually includes:

• Listings of the child’s usual symptoms
  
  
• Allergens and irritants known to trigger the child’s symptoms
  
  
• Normal peak flow meter readings for the child
  
  
• Medications the child takes and instructions for how, and when to take them

Asthma action plans also contain all information vital to treating a child’s asthma, such as medications and dosage levels, emergency phone numbers, and a physician’s phone number.

As children’s asthma symptoms change over time, their asthma action plans should be updated as well. This should always be done in consultation with the child’s physician, and should take place at least annually. Emergency contact information should also be checked and updated regularly.