Children-Friendly Nebulizers on the Increase

For a five-year old child an asthmatic attack can lead to life-long trauma if medical care and support are not provided. Asthma and other respiratory disorders have now become common due to changing lifestyles. Treating asthma in a child is particularly difficult as kids need to be persuaded to take their therapeutic treatments on time and without resistance. The idea of putting on a mask and inhaling medication can be scary for most children. Since nebulizers have become a prescribed form of medication now equipment makers are coming up with pediatric nebulizer machine.

Doctors prescribe both inhalers with a spacer and mask as also a nebulizer while treating kids with asthma. The form of treatment depends on the age of a child. Nebulizers may be used to provide aerosol therapy to patients too ill or too young to use hand-held devices and in situations where large drug doses are necessary. A nebulizer is a device used to administer liquid medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs. It opens up clogged airways. A nebulizer contains an air compressor, nebulizer cup, mask or mouthpiece and clean eye droppers or any measuring device to dispense medication. As the mask is an important part of the nebulizer device makers have come up with child-friendly masks. Masks that are made of see through plastic, fish-shaped masks, teddy bear shaped masks and even Mr Potato-head are available in the market.

While there are debates on what is the right device while treating children studies have shown that either device is alright so long as the technique is right. There are benefits to using both inhalers and nebulizers. While inhalers are smaller and require no power, a nebulizer is easy to use and adapt to different challenges. The same nebulizer can be used to administer a variety of drugs, and can be adapted to use with an adult or pediatric mask or a mouthpiece. People also feel that a nebulizer is right for a child as it allows them to see and feel mist coming out of the machine.

There are plenty of online resources that give guidance on the right technique of using a child nebulizer. However, besides the technique there should be proper case of hygiene conditions in maintaining the nebulizer, this is especially important in the care of kids as they more susceptible to allergens including dust. Always ensure that the nebulizer cup, mask, or mouthpiece is washed in warm, soapy water using a mild detergent, and rinsed thoroughly at the end of each day.