IslipDid you know that summer thunderstorms can trigger severe asthma attacks in some people? This phenomenon is called thunderstorm asthma, and it happens when pollen grains are broken up by the storm and released into the air as tiny particles. These particles can enter the lungs and cause inflammation, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Thunderstorm asthma can affect anyone, even if they don’t have a history of asthma or hay fever. However, people allergic to grass pollen are at higher risk, especially if they also have asthma. Thunderstorm asthma can be life-threatening in some cases, as it can overwhelm the healthcare system and prevent people from getting timely treatment. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared and take precautions to avoid thunderstorm asthma.
Key actions you can take to keep yourself and your family safe:
- If you have asthma, take your preventer medication daily, and always carry your reliever inhaler. If you feel any asthma symptoms, use your inhaler as instructed and seek medical help if needed. Make sure you have an up-to-date asthma action plan and follow it closely.
- Check the weather forecast and pollen count regularly and avoid going outside when thunderstorms are expected or happening, especially if the pollen count is high.
- If you have hay fever, take antihistamines or nasal sprays to reduce your allergic reaction to pollen. Wearing sunglasses and a face mask can also help to prevent pollen from entering your eyes and nose.
You can find more information and advice on how to manage your asthma and hay fever on the NHS website and Asthma and Lung UK. You can also find out about local air quality on our website OxonAir including the latest air pollution forecasts.
Stay safe and breathe easy this summer!