Breathing difficulties also affect people who are very allergic to some types of shellfish, nuts, medications and insect bites. These people can suffer an allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This reaction begins within minutes of exposure to the substance causing the allergy. During this type of allergic reaction, the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Soon, the heartbeat races and blood pressure drops. Anaphylactic shock can kill if a person is not treated within 15 minutes.

Breathing difficulties from some things may require emergency care.

In children they include:

• Wheezing
• Croup, a virus with a "barking cough" common in young children
• Epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat that closes off the windpipe
• Diphtheria, which is a very contagious throat infection
• Heart defects children are born with

In children and adults they include:

• Severe allergic reactions
• A face, head, nose or lung injury
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Harsh chemical burns in the air passages
• Choking
• Drug overdose
• Poisoning
• Asthma
• Bronchitis and pneumonia

In adults they include:

• Emphysema
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart attack
• Blood clot in a lung

• Avoid allergic substances or agents that induce asthma, if you have it.
• Do not walk, run or jog on roads with heavy automobile traffic.
• If you have a gas furnace, have it checked once a year for carbon monoxide leaks.
• Never leave your car running in a closed garage.
• Make sure immunizations against childhood diseases, especially diphtheria, are up-to-date. This is part of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) vaccination.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Keep small objects a child could choke on out of reach and do not give gum, especially bubble gum, nuts, hard candy or popcorn to children under five years old.
• Lock up all medications and poisonous substances so small children can't get to them.

Has breathing stopped and is there no pulse?
	Perform CPR and Get Emergency Care(See CPR.)
Has breathing stopped, but there is a pulse?
	Perform "Rescue Breathing" and Get Emergency Care (See "Airway and Breathing" under CPR.)
Has breathing stopped due to choking on a swallowed object?
	Perform Heimlich Maneuver and Get Emergency Care (See "First Aid for Choking".)
Are there signs of anaphylactic shock? Difficult breathing Swollen tongue, eyes or face Unconsciousness Difficulty in swallowing Dizziness, weakness Pounding heart Itching, hives
	Inject the substance from the emergency kit some very allergic people carry with them, ifmavailable and Get Emergency Care. Follow all the instructions in the kit.
Are any of these problems present with difficulty in breathing? Signs of a heart attack such as chest pain, pressure or tightness, pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw, irregular pulse Serious injury to the face, head or chest Signs of a stroke such as blurred or double vision, slurred speech, one side body weakness or paralysis. Signs of drug overdose such as drunklike behavior, slurred speech, slow or rapid pulse, heavy sweating, enlarged or very small eye pupils
	Get Emergency Care and Give first aid for problem at hand. (For example, see "Chest Pain" for first aid for heart attack, see "Head Injury" , see "Drug Overdose".)
Is it so hard to breathe that you or someone else can't talk (say 4 or 5 words between breaths) and/or is there wheezing that doesn't go away?
Is bloody sputum being coughed up?
Does the difficulty in breathing occur with a cough in a baby and does it make the baby unable to eat or take a bottle?
Is there? Breathlessness at night or at rest Pink or frothy phlegm being coughed up and/or A high fever along with the rapid and labored breathing
Is a greenish-yellow or grey phlegm being coughed up?

For people affected by air pollution or pollen:

• Put on a face mask that covers the nose and mouth
• Most hardware stores carry inexpensive ones.
• Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke

  (Note: This applies to anyone with breathing difficulties.)

• Install an air filtering system in your home or an air purifier, especially in the bedroom. Tests show that air filters help clear the air of allergy-causing agents.

For people allergic to molds, breathing problems can be avoided or lessened if you:

• Do not rake leaves that have sat on the ground for awhile. Molds and mildew grow on leaves after they've been on the ground for a few days.
• Keep your basement dry, well ventilated and well lighted. Use dehumidifiers and exhaust fans to reduce moisture in the air.
• Get rid of house plants.

If you or anyone in your family has serious allergies, it is a good idea to wear a medical identification tag such as ones available at drug stores or ones custom made by Medic Alert Foundation.