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Breathing Problems: Helping a Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler and Mask Spacer
How to help your child use the inhaler
Before using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a mask spacer:
- Talk with your doctor about how to use it. Be sure your child uses it just as the doctor prescribes.
- If your child is old enough, teach them how to check to make sure it's the right medicine. If your child uses several inhalers, label each one. Then make sure your child knows what medicine to use at what time. You might try using colored stickers to teach the difference between medicines.
- Keep track of how many puffs of medicine are in the inhaler. This may help you keep from running out of medicine. Refill the prescription before the medicine runs out. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to keep track of how much medicine is left.
- If your child is using corticosteroids, have your child gargle and rinse their mouth with water after use.
Using a metered-dose inhaler with a mask spacer
Follow these steps for using a metered-dose inhaler with a mask spacer.
1. Shake the inhaler for 5 seconds. Remove the cap.
2. Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece at the bottom. Then place the mouthpiece of the inhaler into the spacer.
3. Place the mask spacer securely over your child's mouth and nose. Be sure to get a good seal. The mask must fit snugly, with no gaps between the mask and the skin.
4. With the mask spacer in place, press down on the inhaler to spray 1 puff of medicine into the spacer.
5. Keep the mask spacer in place, and have your child breathe in and out normally for 5 or 6 breaths.
6. If your child needs another puff of medicine, wait 1 minute between puffs.
7. Replace the cap on the inhaler.
8. Have your child rinse their mouth with water if the inhaler has corticosteroids, such as fluticasone. (Controller inhalers usually have corticosteroids.) Do not let your child swallow the water.
Current as of: August 6, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
