Many children don’t get the full benefit of inhaler medicine because the technique is off — and that’s very common. A spacer makes it easier for asthma medicine to reach the lungs instead of sticking in the mouth or throat.
Step-by-step: inhaler + spacer
- Shake the inhaler (5 seconds).
- Insert inhaler into the spacer.
- Have your child exhale fully.
- Place the spacer mouthpiece (or mask) snugly.
- Press the inhaler once.
- Have your child slowly inhale and hold for 5–10 seconds (or take 5–6 slow breaths if using a mask).
- If a second puff is prescribed, wait 30–60 seconds, then repeat.
Pro tips parents love
- Rinse mouth after steroid inhalers (prevents irritation/thrush).
- Clean the spacer weekly (air-dry to reduce static).
- Practice when your child is calm — not during a flare.
At Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, P.A., we routinely review inhaler technique because it’s one of the fastest ways to improve control without changing medication.
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