Why Are My Asthma Symptoms Worse in Summer?

Asthma is a common condition that affects an estimated 25 million Americans. It is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the airways in the lungs become narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Many different things can trigger asthma, including exercise, poor air quality, irritants in the air, as well as pollen, dust mites, and mold, or other allergens. Many people with asthma find that the weather affects the severity of their symptoms. Dry, cold air in winter is a known asthma trigger, but hot summer weather can be a trigger for many people with asthma as well. Why do asthma symptoms worsen when the air is hot and humid? What can you do to reduce the effect of the summer heat on your asthma symptoms? Continue reading to learn more.

Does hot weather make asthma worse?

Yes, hot air and humidity in the summer can make your asthma worse. The reasons are not entirely clear but experts believe it is because breathing hot air causes the airways to become narrow, making it difficult to breathe and causing shortness of breath and coughing. Another reason could be that the levels of pollutants and grass pollen in the air are higher in the summer, triggering what is known as allergy asthma.

What season is asthma worse?

Many people with asthma report that their asthma is worse in the winter season when the air is cold and dry. This is because breathing cold, dry air causes irritation of the airways in the lungs. Also, the airways produce more mucus when it’s cold, causing them to become narrow and making it harder to breathe. What’s more, cold and flu are common in the winter, and these are triggers for asthma. Also, when the weather is cold, people tend to stay indoors, which exposes them more to indoor triggers and allergens like dust, mold, pet dander, and cigarette smoke.

Some of the things you can do to reduce cold air induced asthma are:

Wear a scarf loosely around your nose and mouth when outdoors. This will warm the air before you breathe it in, making it less likely to trigger asthma symptoms.
Stick to your routine of preventive inhaler use. If your asthma is well controlled at a baseline, it is less likely to be triggered or worsened by cold weather.
Keep your home well ventilated by occasionally opening windows or using an extractor fan. This helps reduce the load of allergic triggers indoors, such as dust mites, pet hair, mold, and dampness.

What climate is best for asthma?

Extreme temperatures, i.e., too dry and cold air or too hot and humid air, are bad for asthma. Doctors suggest keeping the air conditioning in your home set at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and perhaps a little cooler at bedtime. They also recommend keeping humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent. These temperatures and humidity levels can help you breathe better and keep allergens like dust mites and mold under control.

The truth is that there is no perfect weather for asthma. Many people with asthma find that consistency in temperature is what works best for them. It helps to keep symptoms under control, along with controlling irritation from allergens and pollutants.

What is summer asthma? What can I do about it?

If heat and humidity trigger asthma symptoms for you, you could have what is called summer asthma. If this is the case, you should talk to your doctor about managing your symptoms in the hot weather. Here are some tips on managing your condition most effectively:

Visit your doctor for a review at the start of the summer season. Discuss managing your asthma symptoms with medication during the hot weather.
Develop a written action plan with your doctor so you know what to do if dust mites, heat, and humidity, or other asthma triggers make your symptoms worse in the summer season.
Use your preventive inhaler regularly to reduce the chances of getting asthma symptoms. Keep your reliever inhaler on hand so you can use it if symptoms appear.
Store your inhalers in a cool, dry place to ensure they work properly.
Keep an eye on air quality and high pollen counts. Stay on top of taking your antihistamines for hay fever to prevent allergy asthma.
Plan outdoor activities for earlier in the day when the air quality tends to be better.
Summer is also the time of year when thunderstorms are common. Stay indoors during thunderstorms and keep windows closed. Humidity in the air can be very high in the lead-up to a thunderstorm, causing asthma symptoms to worsen. Also, thunderstorms can cause pollen to blow around and break up into smaller pieces, which can irritate the lungs when you breathe them in.
Weather changes (a rapid increase or decrease in temperatures) can be particularly difficult for people with asthma. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and stay indoors as much as possible to tide over any weather changes.

There is no cure for asthma, but it is a treatable condition. If you have been diagnosed with asthma and find that weather is a strong trigger for your symptoms, you can do several things to reduce the impact of temperatures on your breathing. The first step is figuring out what makes your asthma worse--whether it is humid air, dry air, cold air, or hot air. The second step is reducing exposure to allergens like pollen and keeping seasonal allergies under control. The third and most important step is going to see your doctor regularly and taking your inhalers and medications as prescribed. These simple measures will help optimize your health and keep your asthma under control, no matter what the season.

References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653

2. https://www.aafa.org/asthma-facts

3. https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/weather/