There's a connection between
asthma
and weather. Some people find their asthma gets worse at certain
times of the year. For others, a storm or sudden weather change may
cause a
flare-up
.
Cold, dry air can be an asthma
trigger
, especially for people who do winter sports and who have asthma
symptoms when they exercise. Hot, humid air can also trigger asthma
symptoms. In some areas, heat and sunlight combine with pollution
to make ozone (say:
oh
-zone), which is also an asthma trigger.
Wet weather and dry, windy weather can both be problems, too.
And many people with asthma have symptoms during thunderstorms.
Your doctor can help you figure out if weather is causing some
of your asthma symptoms. He or she can put this information into
your
asthma action plan
. Once you know what your weather or seasonal triggers are, you can
take steps to avoid them. You can:
- Watch the forecast for
pollen
and mold counts as well as weather that might affect your asthma.
(An adult can help you do this.)
- Stay indoors on days when your triggers are strongest.
- Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose outside during very
cold weather.
- Keep your windows closed at night. If it's hot, use air
conditioning, which cleans, cools, and dries the air.
- Stay indoors early in the morning (before 10 AM) when pollen
levels in the air are at their highest.
- Stay away from freshly cut grass and leaf piles.
- Keep your
rescue medication
with you all the time - whether the weather bothers you or
not!
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: June 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.