Asthma nebulizers and compressors are used for babies and young children who cannot use other inhaler devices properly. Even
though other portable inhaling devices are less expensive, some children simply do not respond well to them.
A compressor is powered electrically and sends air to a nebulizer chamber. Using the compressed air, the nebulizer then converts
the liquid asthma medicine into an aerosol (mist) form. The aerosol is breathed in either with a mask or a mouthpiece.
How to use a compressor
Get the compressor ready
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Put the compressor on a clean table or counter.
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Plug in the machine.
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Get the medicine ready
Follow these steps to get the medicine ready:
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For premixed medicine:
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Open the nebule.
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Put the medicine into the nebulizer chamber.
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Connect the tubing from the compressor to the nebulizer chamber and mask.
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OR, for medicine you have to mix:
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Fill a syringe, with the amount of medicine your doctor tells you to. Be sure to remove all air bubbles.
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Put the medicine in the nebulizer chamber. You can put more than one type of medicine in the nebulizer chamber. For example,
you can mix Pulmicort and Ventolin and give them to your child at the same time.
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You may need to add normal saline to the nebulizer chamber so that there are 4 mL of liquid in total. Normal saline is sterile
salt water you can buy at the drug store.
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Connect the tubing from the compressor to the medicine cup and mask.
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Give your child the medicine
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Put the mask firmly sealed over your child’s nose and mouth. Please do not leave a soother in your child’s mouth. If your
child uses a mouthpiece, have her put it between the teeth and wrap the lips around it.
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Turn the compressor on. The compressor will put out a fine mist of medicine through the mask.
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Have your child breathe slowly through the mouth. After every 3 or 4 breaths, have your child take a deep breath.
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When the mist stops coming out of the mask or mouthpiece, tap the nebulizer chamber 3 or 4 times to see if there is any more
mist. When the mist stops after you tap the nebulizer chamber, your child has taken all the medicine.
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Keep the mask on your child’s face until the mist stops coming out of the mask or mouthpiece.
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Take the mask off your child’s nose and mouth. Or take the mouthpiece out of the mouth.
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Turn off the compressor.
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Wipe your child’s face with a warm, damp cloth to clean off any medicine left on her face.
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Rinse your child’s mouth or give your child a drink after giving her the medicine.
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Clean the mask and the nebulizer chamber after every treatment
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Take the tubing, mask, and nebulizer chamber apart.
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Rinse the mask and nebulizer chamber in warm water.
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Shake out the extra water gently. Leave the nebulizer chamber and the mask to dry in the air on a paper towel or a clean dish
towel.
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One time every day, use mild dish soap to wash the nebulizer chamber and mask. Rinse them well with warm water. Leave them
to dry in the air on a paper towel or clean dish towel.
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Two times every week, soak the mask and nebulizer chamber in 1 cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of water for 30 minutes. Then
rinse the mask and nebulizer chamber in warm water. Dry them on a paper towel or a clean dish towel.
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You do not need to clean the tubing. If there is water in the tubing, turn on the compressor and blow the water out of the
tubing.
If you have a nebulizer chamber that is meant to be used more than once, use it for 6 months to 1 year before getting a new
one.
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