How to Use a Nebulizer in Children

How to Use a Nebulizer in Children

A nebulizer is a device that turns liquid medicine into a vapor, or mist, that you can inhale. Your child may need to use a nebulizer if he or she has a breathing illness, such as asthma or pneumonia.

There are different kinds of vaporizers. With some, your child breathes in through a mouthpiece. With others, a mask fits over your child’s nose and mouth. The kind of vaporizer your child will use depends on his or her age. It is important that your child use the type that his or her health care provider recommends. Follow any special instructions that come with the device.

What are the risks?

Using a nebulizer that does not fit right, or is not cleaned right, can lead to the following complications:

  • Infection.
  • Eye irritation.
  • Incorrect dosage: not enough or too much medicine.
  • Mouth irritation.

How to prepare before using a nebulizer

Take these steps before using the nebulizer:

  1. Prepare the space where you will be giving your child the medicine. Make the space as calming as possible so that your child will be able to rest there. You may want to have a favorite book, quiet game, or television program to engage your child during the treatment.
  2. Check your child’s medicine. Make sure it has not expired and is not damaged in any way.
  3. Wash your hands with soap and water.
  4. Put all the parts of your nebulizer on a sturdy, flat surface. Make sure all the tubing is connected.
  5. Measure the liquid medicine according to the health care provider’s instructions. Pour it into the medicine reservoir of the nebulizer.
  6. Attach the mouthpiece or mask.
  7. Test the nebulizer by turning it on to make sure a spray is coming out. Then turn it off.

The best time to use the nebulizer is when your child is calm and breathing quietly. If your child is younger than one year, the best time may be when your child is sleeping. If your child crying when you use the nebulizer, the medicine will not reach deep enough into the lungs.

How to use a nebulizer

  1. Have your child sit quietly.
  2. Help your child relax if needed. You can do this by holding and comforting your child or having your child engage in a quiet activity.
  3. Do one of the following:
    1. If your child uses a mask to get the medicine, place it over your child’s nose and mouth. It should fit somewhat snugly, with no gaps around the nose or cheeks where medicine could escape.
    1. If your child uses a mouthpiece to get the medicine, place it in your child’s mouth and have your child press his or her lips firmly around the mouthpiece.
  4. Turn on the nebulizer.
  5. Have your child breathe out.
  6. Once the medicine begins to mist out, have your child take slow and deep breaths.
  7. Have your child continue taking slow, deep breaths until the medicine in the nebulizer is gone and no vapor appears.

How to clean a nebulizer

The nebulizer and all its parts must be kept very clean. Without proper cleaning, bacteria can grow inside the nebulizer. If your child inhales the bacteria, he or she can get sick. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your child’s nebulizer. For most nebulizers, you should follow these guidelines:

  • Wash the nebulizer after each use. Make sure to wash the mouthpiece or mask and the medicine area, but do not wash the tubing. Use warm water and soap.
  • After washing the nebulizer, place its parts on a clean towel and let them dry completely. Once they are dry, reconnect the pieces and turn the nebulizer on without any medicine. This will blow air through the equipment to help dry it out.
  • Store the nebulizer in a clean and dust-free place.
  • Check the filter at least one time every week. Replace it if it looks dirty.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your child’s breathing gets worse during a nebulizer treatment.
  • Your child’s nebulizer stops working, foams, or does not create a mist after you add medicine and turn it on.
  • Your child has trouble breathing.
  • You have trouble using the nebulizer.

Summary

  • Measure the liquid medicine according to the health care provider’s instructions. Pour it into the medicine reservoir of the nebulizer.
  • Once the medicine begins to mist out, have your child take slow and deep breaths.
  • Wash the mouthpiece and the medicine cup after each use, and allow them to dry completely.
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