Asthma attacks can come at any time and occur anywhere — at school or work or while traveling. Depending on where you are when an attack occurs, the people around you might not always recognize what’s happening or know what steps to take. This can be dangerous because time is of the essence during a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.

An asthma medical ID bracelet or another form of medical identification lets people around you know the appropriate course of action in the event of an asthma attack. If you are the parent of a child with asthma, knowing that your child is wearing a medical ID can give you peace of mind when you can’t monitor them, such as when they’re at school or involved in other activities.

How can a medical ID help? What types of medical IDs are available? Is wearing one right for you? Read on for important reasons you or your child with asthma might consider wearing a medical ID bracelet.

1. A Medical ID Helps Others Know What To Do

An asthma ID bracelet communicates that you have asthma and provides directions on what can be done during an attack.

If you or your child is considered an asthmatic, you know how frightening an attack can be. During an asthma attack, many people lose the ability to speak for themselves and ask for help. An asthma bracelet is an important safety measure that lets others know what’s going on and informs them of other vital information, such as any medications you take or allergies you have. Wearing a medical ID can help those around you know how to respond to an asthma attack.

In addition to obtaining a medical alert bracelet, you can ask your child’s health care professional for an asthma action plan to keep on file with your child’s day care provider or school and give to any babysitters. An asthma action plan lists asthma medications, including rescue medications, and explains when to seek emergency care.

2. An ID Can Provide Access to Your Medical Information

When asthma calls for emergency medical care, a bracelet or another form of medical ID can immediately inform first responders (like EMTs) or emergency department staff about the details of your or your child’s condition. Paramedics usually check for medical information on a person’s body, in a wallet or purse, and on their phones.

A survey conducted by American Medical ID found that more than 95 percent of respondents look for medical IDs during health emergencies. Medical IDs like asthma bracelets provide vital health information to others.

Generally, a medical ID is customized to reflect the wearer’s unique health status. Your medical ID will likely include medical information such as:

• Your full name
• Your diagnosis, as well as any other medical conditions you may have (like a heart condition, autism, or severe allergies to food or medication)
• Any medications you take, such as asthma inhalers
• Emergency contacts, such as a parent, partner, or close friend

When health care providers can rapidly access this information, it helps them give the safest and most effective treatment possible. Knowing what medications you or your child takes can help avoid dangerous interactions. If you have allergies to medications, it can prevent an allergic reaction that may make asthma symptoms worse. And if you take any maintenance medications to keep your health conditions under control, you can avoid missing a dose and risking other serious health consequences on top of the attack.

3. A Medical ID May Increase Peace of Mind

Obtaining a medical ID bracelet or other medical ID solution will help you feel more comfortable when you’re traveling to unfamiliar places or around others who don’t know about your condition.

If you have a child with asthma, any extra reassurance that they’ll be properly cared for can make it easier to cope with their diagnosis and allow them to be independent. For example, a child with exercise-induced asthma may be less anxious about participating in after-school sports or a physical activity when wearing a medical ID.

In addition to easing your child’s anxiety, a medical ID can address some of the anxiety that you might have as a parent. It can be hard to let your child do everyday things like go to school or spend time with their friends when you worry about their asthma. Knowing they have a medical ID could calm these fears because you know that anyone helping your child will have access to the information they need to treat them quickly and effectively.

With a medical ID, you know that whatever happens, you or your child will be more likely to get the appropriate care in an emergency, and your contacts will be notified.

Other Types of Medical IDs

A medical ID bracelet is one of the easiest, most recognized, and most effective ways to communicate medical conditions in an emergency. Medical ID bracelets don’t require service, upkeep, or batteries that run out.

Additional options for medical IDs include watches, necklaces, ID cards, tags, pendants, and key fobs. Most medical jewelry allows you to engrave the information of your choice, while others provide slots for paper inserts. In the United States, medical IDs usually have the Star of Life symbol, representing emergency medical services. This signifies that the wearer has a medical condition that emergency services staff should note.

Depending on the style of medical alert jewelry and the seller, you can spend a few dollars for a silicone bracelet or $15 and up for custom-engraved metal styles. You can also find free medical ID cards online to print at home.

When a child gets to choose the color or design of a medical ID bracelet, they may be more willing to wear it. Try to involve your child in the process as much as possible to help them get on board with the plan.

Asthma jewelry is just one form of medical ID. Other options might also suit your needs or those of your child.

Audio Recorders

Audio medical IDs are small audio recorders that clip onto clothing. They allow you to save information in an audio file for emergency responders to hear. You can record a message that includes details about first aid or any relevant medical information. In the event of an asthma attack when the individual can’t speak, first responders can easily press play to listen to your prerecorded information. If you parent a child whose asthma needs to be addressed in a specific way during a medical emergency, these devices can allow you to leave instructions even when you aren’t physically present.

USB Devices

Another alternative is a USB device that holds your medical information, including PDFs of documents, which you can attach to a dog tag or wristband. Keep in mind that medical information is confidential and should only be stored and accessed securely. When looking to buy a USB medical ID, make sure it has an encryption feature with proper security guarantees from the manufacturer.

Medical Tattoos

Some adults with asthma opt for medical ID tattoos — tattoos that provide the same identifying information as traditional medical IDs. Talk to your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to get a tattoo.

Smartphone Apps for Medical IDs

Some smartphones have features that let people access specific types of medical information from the lock screen. This allows medical professionals to see your health information without needing a password for your phone.

If you or your child with asthma has an iPhone, you can set up a smart medical ID by following these instructions. If you have an Android or other non-iOS phone, you may need to download an app. Simply search for “medical ID app” on the Google Play Store or your phone manufacturer’s app store.

Near-field communication (NFC) allows smartphones and similar devices to communicate with other technologies and transfer information — including medical information — over short distances. If you have a wristband, wallet card, or key fob that uses NFC, medical personnel can access your medical information on a secure website in case of an emergency situation. This information can include anything you think would be important in a health emergency, including care plans, prescriptions, and medical documents.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyAsthmaTeam is the social network for people with asthma and their caregivers and loved ones. On MyAsthmaTeam, more than 11,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with asthma.

Do you wear a medical ID bracelet or carry another form of medical alert? Has it been useful? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.