This written, personalized worksheet can provide steps to prevent asthma from getting worse. You can share it with caregivers, schools, and employers to offer care guidance and instructions for medical care in the event of asthma emergencies.

An asthma action plan is designed to help people with asthma avoid an emergency room (ER) visit or hospitalization if their symptoms flare up. The plan also allows them to manage their symptoms and recognize worsening asthma symptoms.

The plan also reminds you of your daily and emergency medications. An asthma action plan can be your lifeline.

The American Lung Association (ALA) recommends that everyone with asthma should have an action plan.

Everyone deserves to know what to do in case their asthma flares to help understand asthma symptoms and reduce the need for going to the hospital for an asthma attack.

A 2019 research shows that having a written plan is effective and beneficial for people with asthma. This helps them not only to better understand their condition and symptoms but also to improve their quality of life.

However, this 2022 research also shows that even though these action plans are effective, not all written plans are prepared in the same way. That means some plans may not provide the necessary instructions or care guidance to be most helpful.

Researchers pointed out that action plans for children with asthma may not be as effective as they could be.

Understanding your asthma

If you have asthma, your plan will help you recognize your daily asthma management. The American Lung Association (ALA) uses three colors to indicate the state of your asthma:

  • Green: you have no asthma symptoms and should continue routine management of your asthma
  • Yellow: worsening asthma symptoms and gives steps for self-management
  • Red: severe asthma symptoms requiring emergency attention, with instructions on what to do and who to contact

You can learn more about asthma symptoms here.

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Yes. Every person with asthma needs an action plan.

Even mild asthma can flare up in the presence of different triggers, such as environmental exposure, pets, dust, cigar smoke, or exercise, among many others.

It is not possible to avoid all the triggers, and that’s why it is important to understand how to manage your condition if asthma symptoms flare up.

The plan will also give you early warning signs, such as variations in peak flow, a measure of the airflow volume out of your lungs using a peak flow meter.

The ALA provides clear examples and step-by-step instructions on creating an asthma action plan. Your plan may include:

  • your asthma triggers
  • the dose and type of your medications
  • symptoms that indicate an asthma flare up
  • symptoms that indicate an asthma flare up requiring urgent medical care
  • contact details of your doctor, local hospital, and emergency contact

Your healthcare team can help create an action plan based on your specific care and asthma needs.

Create your own personal Asthma Action Plan

Visit the American Lung Association (ALA) to start working on your Asthma Action Plan, along with guidance from your healthcare team.

The most important pieces in an asthma action plan are your individual instructions for what to do if you fall into the yellow or red zone. Self-management is important in responding to worsening symptoms.

What will also be unique to you are your specific asthma triggers. You can learn to recognize and manage asthma symptoms and possible triggers, including:

  • exercise
  • environmental factors (pollution, smoke, mold, dust, mites)
  • allergens (pollen, pets)
  • cleaning products
  • viruses
  • stress

I always tell my patients to carry a copy of their asthma action plan in their wallet or purse, post another copy on their refrigerator, and give a copy to important people in their lives, such as their:

  • partner
  • roommate
  • co-worker
  • child’s teacher or caretaker
  • anyone else they spend time with who might help them to manage an asthma attack

You can store physical copies of the asthma action plan in your wallet or purse, on your refrigerator, and with anyone you spend a lot of time with.

You may also want to have digital copies available with those same people, with employers or school officials, and your doctor’s office.

An asthma action plan can help you better understand asthma symptoms and reduce the need for going to the hospital after an asthma attack. Your healthcare team can work with you to create this type of action plan, which often includes specifics on your asthma triggers and care instructions.

You can share these plans with school officials or work colleagues in the case of an emergency.