Sometime, it might happen: Your child might be having an emergency. Here are some of the signs that you should look for that indicate his symptoms are getting worse (and which should be listed on your child's asthma action plan):

• He is sweating.

• He is breathing so hard that he has difficulty speaking.

• He is using his abdominal muscles to breathe out and skin is denting in around his ribs with breathing.

• He is showing a bluish color around his lips and fingernails.

• His nostrils are beginning to widen when breathing in.

• He is continuing to wheeze, breathe hard, or cough — even after the rescue medications have been given.

Now is the time to follow the directions on his asthma action plan that outline how to handle an asthma attack. Remember that it's better to seek medical care earlier rather than later during an asthma attack.