Summer asthma triggers – 5 key factors to watch for

Understanding Summer Asthma Triggers and How to Manage Them

As the weather warms up and we spend more time outside, it’s important for people with asthma to be mindful of the subtle seasonal triggers that might set off their symptoms. With summer in full swing, there are several factors that can exacerbate asthma, making it crucial for individuals to understand and manage these risks effectively.

Five Key Summer Asthma Triggers

Hot Weather

Warmer weather can cause people’s airways to narrow, which can bring on asthma symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. This is because high temperatures can increase the sensitivity of the airways, making them more reactive to other triggers.
Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms can also trigger your asthma, causing asthma attacks and making symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing and coughing worse. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as thunderstorm asthma. Not everyone with asthma is affected, but those with hay fever, poorly managed asthma, or undiagnosed asthma may be at higher risk. Younger adults under 30 are also more likely to be affected.
Pollen

The summer also coincides with the height of pollen season, particularly for grass and weed pollen. Hay fever, a common seasonal allergy, can trigger asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest pain, or a tight chest. The hay fever season runs from March through to September, so people with asthma need to be aware of pollen levels when they are out and about.
Air Pollution

Strong sunshine can cause the level of ozone and other air pollutants in the atmosphere to rise, which can trigger asthma symptoms. Barbecues in the summer can be particularly problematic, as smoke from them can irritate the airways and worsen symptoms.
Mould and Dust

Irritants like mould and dust are still rife in the summer months and can be a trigger in different places. If you are going camping in the summer, for example, be mindful that tents can be a breeding ground for mould spores.

How to Identify Your Specific Triggers

Sometimes it’s not always obvious what your specific triggers are and it can be a bit of a detective mission. Noting down symptoms as and when they happen can be helpful. Keeping a diary can help you track things over time and can help you spot any patterns. Think about what you were doing when you started getting asthma symptoms. What time of day was it? Where were you? You can also use your peak flow scores to help work out what’s triggering your asthma symptoms.

Tips for Managing Summer Asthma Triggers

Check the Met Office App

You can keep an eye on the weather forecast, pollen levels, and air pollution levels on the Met Office website or app.
Avoid Exercising Outdoors in the Middle of the Day

If you are planning to exercise outside, it might be good to think about doing it earlier in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler and the pollen levels are likely to be lower. Also, make sure that you’ve got a drink with you to stay hydrated and always have a reliever inhaler with you.
Use a Fan

Keep a room cool by using a fan. However, make sure that the fan is clean. If it has been sat in a cupboard for a year, wipe any dust off with a damp cloth.
Follow Your Asthma Action Plan

An asthma action plan tells you what to do to keep well every day, so following that basic care advice is really important. For anyone with a lung condition, it’s important to carry on taking your medications as prescribed, even when you feel well, to manage that sensitivity in the airways. Make sure you have a reliever inhaler with you at all times, so if you do start to feel those symptoms, you can use it.
Clean Your Tent Before Going Camping

If you’re going camping, get your equipment out and make sure it’s clean. Make sure you remove any black or white or green patches on the equipment before you use it. If mould is a trigger for you, ask a friend or a family member if they can help.
Avoid Busy Roads

Try to stay away from main roads or congested areas and consider taking the back roads instead where there’s less congestion and less pollution.
Take Antihistamines

If you know when you tend to start getting hay fever symptoms, start taking some antihistamines a couple weeks before those symptoms usually start and then continue to take them across the season. That will give you the best protection.