Anyone else severely triggered by tobacco smoke?

[drjlm]

Hi folks,

I posted earlier about my difficulty with renting a car that has a smell of smoke in it - but this is a separate question worth asking I figured. And sorry if this has been asked before - I just have a smartphone with me and it's not easy to look up past threads.

Basically I'm SEVERELY sensitive to cigarette smoke. My father was a smoker and although he generally tried not to smoke in the house I believe that led to me developing a severe reactivity to it.

Of course, I avoid any forms of cigarette smoke (whether second or third hand) and keep up my inhaler regime.

But are there any add on therapies that specifically are known to be useful for asthmatics with this sensitivity?

TIA

[starveycat]

I'm sorry I don't know of and therapies except to take your reliever puffer. All sorts of smells trigger a response. If I meet any one new if they smoke I have to step back and explain in asthmatic and cannot breathe near them . In one way I am lucky as my voice goes and I croak when " smelly people " come near me. Good luck I'm sure someone who knows more than me will be able to help

Sorry for the typing errors I'm just an old bid lol

[Singinglouder]

Could you be allergic to tobacco? I know I am (react to the pollen of the growing plant as well as to the smoke). If so, things used to treat allergic asthma might help.

Incidentally, I find cigar smoke even worse than cigarettes - don’t suppose it’ll help, but wondered whether your car might be from a cigar smoker. Good luck for the journey home!

[Hope680]

Hi drjlm

I recently read some reserch that says eucalyptus oil inhaled can relieve breathing symptoms. A few drops of the oil can be inhaled in hot water or on a tissue. Be aware that this does not substitute any prescribe medication from your gp. Good luck.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Hope680]

Just a warning to anyone reading this that eucalyptus can trigger asthma in some people - be careful with this especially if you are triggered by other plants and scents. It may be fine but it may also set you off. If can help with decongestion if you have a stuffy nose; I don't know if it helps with asthma as such but if not a trigger probably ok to try.

To reply to the original post - I am also very sensitive to cigarette smoke as I think many asthmatics are. I am not aware of any specific treatments as it seems to trigger most people regardless of what asthma type they have. If you're not well controlled anyway it is worth looking at additional therapies to make your airways a little less twitchy (I appreciate the smoke will probably still trigger you but every little helps!).