Allergic Asthma and Train Travel.

[Topcat1701]

I've had asthma for quite a few years and recently it has changed to Allergic Asthma. Through this side of asthma I had to leave my old job working in retail due to the different environments and the products the company sold. At the end of 2015 I joined a new company and explained all about my health and enjoyed working in retail again. Recently I have been out into other stores helping them and had to travel daily by train. It has become increasingly more noticeable that my condition and enclosed spaces and commuting don't go together. The aftershaves and perfumes, deodorant and odours has finally got me beat after being on an extremely packed and cramped train with no area to escape to. My Ventolin was a God send but seeing people's reaction to an attack and explaining what the cause was, well let's say they were shocked. The lack of understanding about Asthma in the world to some was a trigger to find out more and not just seeing a person use an inhaler as someone with a slight problem. More education is need so that more people understand what the different stages of asthma are and what causes ut

[flossiew]

Hi Top cat. I trust you're feeling better today

[Topcat1701 in reply to flossiew]

I am thank you. Each day on the train is a challenge. Some have good results but some bad. Life has changed for me and my family but to others, some show compassion, others it's "like you'll get over it". 2 sides to living with asthma.

[flossiew in reply to Topcat1701]

I'm still getting used to having asthma having been diagnosed at the end of October. I found out last night at a friend's birthday party that party poppers and my lungs aren't a match made in heaven requiring a visit outside and my inhaler!

[Topcat1701 in reply to flossiew]

Family BBQ's are a problem due to the smoke generated from the coal and even on summer evenings and the use of a chimnea are a problem because you can't sit with the family or close to them later unless they change clothes to get rid of the smell.

[ReedB]

Totally agree. Sometimes I do have a serious attack but sometimes I just need a puff or two in public to sort myself out. So many ppl stare or just don't understand the condition. Obviously it's nice that ppl show concern but most of the time I tell ppl that it's no different to taking a paracetamol...

[Mark_in_Wales_CVA]

Why society is so self-obsessed to cover themselves in toxic chemicals (not only affecting us asthmatics) will never cease to amaze me. But until we have an advert with models or David Beckham hacking up a lung in public as a result of sects/perfumes we will be fighting an uphill battle. I was walking around Ikea the other day and was assaulted by a chemical attack from a hidden scent generator. Apologies for the rant - I do hope you find some way of avoiding what is these days a constant pain.