Below what temperature would you say it is cold?

[Wheezycat]

For the first time in my life I have struggled with the cold weather, the cold snap of a couple of weeks ago was particularly bad. Not bad as in needing medical intervention, but feeling sorry for myself and generally hampered by it. Just now I went out for a walk, and I still got significantly breathless though it is +10 outside. Yesterday I walked further with no problems, or very little.

Has anyone any idea of a definition for ‘cold’ when it comes to asthma? Or, do you know what the temperature has to be to affect you? I would be really interested to know.

[emmasue]

Interesting question. It might not be the "cold" affecting you. It could be the humidity or a specific pollen in the air. Or it could be too cool for you. For me, I am affected if it is below freezing or too humid, especially hot and humid. That's why I prefer the UK to my native Pennsylvania were it gets really hot and humid in the summer. At gets humid here but at least not as hot. Maybe you are also fighting off a bug or something. Take care of yourself and hope you feel better soon. x

[Wheezycat in reply to emmasue]

Thank you for your response! As I am now back inside I am fine! I find it difficult as I grew up in a cold climate, with no ill effects, used to ski etc etc. (Northern Scandinavia). And last year the cold didn’t get to me, but I wasn’t quite so sure about humidity.

Yesterday I was fine walking out a bit, today not so much. The recent snow and attendant cold affected quite noticeably, even when I wasn’t out in it, but as it got warmer the effect went. I have never had problems with hot and humid, at least not breathing wise, but my legs swell up so I don’t love it. 18 month’s ago it was 42 when we were in Spain. Pollen? Not so sure. I don’t have hay fever, bar the very occasional effect once or twice, when there is a really high pollen count, but even that was never proven. So, at present I am keeping an eye on degrees, to see if there is a clue in there. But the way things are going I may have to get used to reacting to more things than I used to. So far viral chest infections type stuff is by worst.

Hope you are feeling better, and that even the breathlessness is easing off, at least bit.

[emmasue in reply to Wheezycat]

Thanks. I am still quite breathless but sleeping a lot. Hopefully I feel better soon. x

[hypercat54]

Hi I find if the wind is cold that it can trigger my asthma. I wear a loose scarf round my nose and mouth to stop the cold air going in. x

[Wheezycat]

Yes, I have also done the scarf bit, but today it seemed quite mild, and I didn’t notice a wind. So I am frustrated and puzzled.

[PMRPete]

Below -20 C is where I feel the cold worse, but if it is dry I can go lower down to -40

I worked in the Soviet Union for several years.

[Wheezycat in reply to PMRPete]

I feel envious. I used to manage -17, -20, -25, but no longer.