Often a change in the weather, rather than a certain temperature, can act as an asthma trigger.
Spring and autumn, in particular, are times when many people find their asthma symptoms get worse.
Winter can also be a troublesome time for people with asthma; however this is often due to colds and flu rather the weather itself.
What to do if you think the weather may affect your asthma:
- Take extra care to take your medication as prescribed throughout the seasons you find affect you.
- Take your usual dose of reliever inhaler before going out on cold, dry days.
- Wear a scarf over your face if it’s cold and windy. This will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in.
- Try to avoid going out in the middle of the day on hot, smoggy days.
Wet and Windy Weather Conditions:
Wet and windy weather can often cause problems for asthma sufferers.
Wet weather encourages mould growth and if it is also windy, this mould is blown through the air. If a person with asthma breathes in airborne mould, it will often triggers their asthma symptoms.
If you know wind and rain triggers your asthma, make sure to always keep an eye on the weather forecast. Try to stay inside during particularly bad days with the windows closed and keep your reliever inhaler close at all times.
Winter Survival Guide
Our top tips for managing your asthma through the winter!
1. Take Medication as Prescribed
This is vital all year round! It will help you control your asthma better and hopefully prevent an asthma attack. To check your technique, watch our inhaler techinique videos.
2. ALWAYS Carry Your Blue Inhaler
Having this inhaler with you ensures that in an asthma emergency you have a tool which will help ease and relieve your symptoms. However, if you are taking it more than twice a week it could be a sign that your asthma isn’t controlled and you should visit your GP or healthcare professional.
3. Have an Up-to-Date Asthma Action Plan
The Asthma Action Plan helps you manage your asthma and can help you identify if your symptoms mean you need a check up. You can download an Action Plan and complete it with the help of your GP or our free Asthma Adviceline (1800 44 54 64).
4. Use Your Nose
Breathing through your nose is ideal during the winter as it warms the air up before bringing it to the lungs. This can help reduce the impact of cold air as a trigger for asthma symptoms.
5. Make Your Home Asthma Friendly
When winter arrives, we spend an extraordinary amount of time indoors. With the cold, many fires and candles are lit. A lot of homes bring animals indoors due to the weather outside. All of these factors can trigger your asthma. To find out more on what you can do to make your home more asthma friendly, visit https://tinyurl.com/asi-indoor
6. Flu Jab: Better Late Than Never
Protect yourself against the flu this season. Visit your local pharmacy or GP to get the vaccine, if you haven’t already.
