Thunderstorm Asthma

Many patients in clinic are reporting troubling hayfever and tight-chest symptoms over the past weeks especially on days when storms are about.

Thunderstorm asthma is a condition that causes asthma symptoms to worsen or trigger an asthma attack during or shortly after a thunderstorm. Other allergic symptoms may also flare at this time, e.g. atopic eczema.

The increase in allergencity of the pollen during this period is thought to be caused by the release and fragmentation of pollen grains into the air by the high winds and rain associated with thunderstorms.

The pollen grains are rendered smaller by the storms and can then be inhaled by people with asthma, triggering an allergic reaction that can lead to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Hayfever symptoms are also typically more troubling at these time.

Thunderstorm asthma is most common in people who have seasonal allergies, such as hay fever. It is also more common in children and young adults.

Symptoms of thunderstorm asthma can start suddenly and become severe very quickly. If you have asthma and you experience any of the following symptoms during or shortly after a thunderstorm, it is important to seek medical attention immediately:

• Wheezing

• Coughing

• Chest tightness

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing that is worse when you breathe out

• Difficulty speaking

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of being affected, including:

• Take your asthma medication as prescribed by your doctor.

• Keep a reliever inhaler (often Blue in colour) with you at all times.

• Try avoid being outside during thunderstorms, especially if you have seasonal allergies.

• If you start to experience symptoms of thunderstorm asthma, seek medical attention immediately.

Thunderstorm asthma is a serious condition that can be fatal is severe asthma develops and is left untreated.

Here are some additional tips to help you stay safe during a thunderstorm asthma event:

• Stay indoors and away from windows.

• If you must go outside, wear a mask to protect your airways.

• Avoid strenuous activity around these weather periods

• Monitor your asthma symptoms closely and use your inhaler as needed.

• If you experience any symptoms of an asthma attack, seek medical attention immediately.

• Be sure to have your allergies properly assessed and managed. Ideallyyou would treat your grass pollen allergy with immunotherapy to the relevent pollens