Why More Delhi Children Need Nebulisers This Winter Smog And How To Reduce The Risk

Delhi’s

winter air isn’t just “bad AQI” on an app, it’s a seasonal pile-up of tiny particles (especially PM2.5) and irritant gases that inflame small, sensitive airways. Just when we thought we'd left the 'hazardous' and 'very severe' AQI levels in 2025, medical reports from 2026 show that there is a sharp jump in demand for children’s nebulisers and inhalers during severe pollution spells, peaking at up to 60% in some areas, mirroring the spike in cough, wheeze and breathlessness parents are seeing at home.

Why kids get hit harder than adults

Children breathe faster than adults, spend more time being active, and their lungs are still developing—so pollutants reach deeper and do more damage per breath. Global health agencies warn that polluted air can trigger asthma symptoms, worsen respiratory infections, and is linked to impacts that can extend beyond the lungs.

What’s “different” about Delhi winters

Winter meteorology traps pollution close to the ground. Cold, calm conditions and temperature inversions reduce vertical mixing, so emissions hang around longer. And it’s not only farm fires, research groups in India have repeatedly flagged how local sources (traffic, road dust, industry, garbage burning and solid fuels) can dominate and keep PM2.5 high even after stubble burning influence drops.

So why the nebuliser?

A nebuliser turns liquid medicine into a mist, which can help when a child is in distress, too young to coordinate an inhaler, or having a significant wheeze episode (as decided by a clinician). But it’s important to know: inhaled medicines are the mainstay for asthma/obstructive airway disease care, and correct technique (often via inhaler + spacer) matters as much as the device. Over-reliance on home nebulisers without medical guidance can be risky because it may delay urgent care when symptoms are severe.

How to reduce risk at home

• Track air quality and treat 'very poor/severe' days as 'indoor-first' days
• Seal smartly by keeping windows shut during peak pollution hours; ventilate briefly when levels dip
• Use an air purifier (HEPA) in the child’s room if possible; avoid candles/incense, frying smoke, and mosquito coils
• Do masking better by using a well-fitted N95/KN95 outdoors, that can reduce particle exposure
• If your child has asthma/allergies, ask your paediatrician for a written action plan and ensure inhaler/spacer technique is correct
• Know all the red flags. Fast breathing, chest retractions, bluish lips, trouble speaking/feeding, or 'silent chest' means urgent medical care is required