Hot weather - is this an asthma trigger?

[Kayleicia]

Hii there, I’ve only very recently been diagnosed with Asthma and this sudden heatwave makes me feel like I have someone sat on my chest... It feels so heavy and irritated - agh! Is there anything I can do? 😤😖

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Yes heat/hot weather (or humidity etc) can be a big trigger for asthmatics. Remember to take your reliever as you need, if you can (and it’s reliable) keep an eye on your peak flow and contact your doc if your reliever isn’t lasting 4hours. Other than that try and keep as cool as you can

Remember it’s not just you struggling atm, so you aren’t alone. Look after yourself and as I said talk to your GP if you are relying on your reliever (and follow your asthma plan if you have one, if not it’s worth trying to sort one!)

As you’re relatively new to asthma it may be an idea to give the AUK team a call. They are very nice and can help you work out what you need to do etc.

they can be reached on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728.

Hope this helps and you feel better soon

As you’re

[Kayleicia in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks Emma,

That’s really helpful. I’ll give them a ring soon actually - I didn’t know I was able to do this. I’ve been using my reliever but not sure about how often/how much I need to use it (and no plan in place yet!). Feeling a bit overwhelmed but will give them a call. 😅

Thanks again!

Kayleigh

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Kayleicia]

If you’re feeling overwhelmed give them a call! They’ll give you the best advice, but if you keep needing your inhaler you should speak to your GP, to see if they can give you some short term relief with pred etc. A well controlled asthmatic has no symptoms and doesn’t need their reliever, so if you’re symptomatic and using your reliever multiple times a day speak to your GP

I think lysistrata has given you a whole load of useful info so definitely a good idea to read up on that!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Kayleicia and welcome! Sorry to hear about the diagnosis but this is absolutely the place to find out more.

Heat can definitely trigger asthma - a lot of people are struggling at the moment. If you're using your reliever inhaler more than three times a week it's a sign you're not well controlled, and you should talk to your GP or asthma nurse. Are you currently on any preventer medication? If not you may need to start some, or tinker with it a bit if you're still getting symptoms (though it can take a bit of time to take effect if you've only very recently started on it).

It's also worth discussing an asthma action plan with your GP or asthma nurse, if you don't have one already; this page on the AUK website will tell you more:

asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

You can also give the Asthma UK nurses a call: they're lovely and very knowledgeable so can advise you further. Their hours are Mon-Fri 9-5 and it's 0300 2225800 or for the WhatsApp [phone].

Claire_ALUK is one of the asthma nurse team and she's done some helpful posts recently on heat and related issues that can trigger you like thunderstorms and air pollution. These posts also have links to the Asthma UK website for more information (and I've put those below too).

Hope that helps and you feel better soon - feel free to ask more questions here too.

Heatwave:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

Thunderstorms:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

asthma.org.uk/weather

Air pollution

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

[Kayleicia in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank-you so much! I will do some reading and calling around. I struggle with other allergies/health problems but have felt a little lost with Asthma. I didn’t really know the difference between controlled/uncontrolled so will try to get this sorted. Thanks for all of your advice - it’s really helpful and needed ☺️

[mixmix]

Hey kaylecia

Yep I felt like this this morning when I woke and still feel like it now. It’s really unnerving. A bath sometime helps to relax

[Kayleicia in reply to mixmix]

Oh I’d love a bath! Student life leaves me with a shower - haha. 😨 Yeah, it makes me feel really uncomfortable and on edge. I needed to go out to get groceries earlier and I had to use my reliever twice

[mixmix in reply to Kayleicia]

Are you not getting your food delivered? Sign up to Tesco and pay for the daily saver £7.99 for unlimited deliveries. If it gets worse maybe call your dr. But only you know your level.

Maybe bowl a kettle and pour in a bowl cover head in towel and steam?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to mixmix]

Just a note to be careful with steam or recommending steam - it can be a trigger for some people's asthma. It is for me - any kind of steamy, humid atmosphere can be a problem. (As is Vicks (the eucalyptus in it) - not that congestion is the issue here!)

Even apparently harmless home remedies can be tricky for some people, so I would avoid recommending them or trying them without making it clear that it can be quite an individual thing. (eg some people's asthma reacts badly to a warm bedroom and central heating, others to a cold room - so window open or closed is very individual).

I suspect in this weather also, steam may not help - but would also say to anyone reading that sudden temperature changes and contrast can also trigger asthma, so tempting though it may be, don't rush to drench yourself in icy water if you're too hot - it might set things off! (I should take my own advice with that and eating ice cream to cool down - tastes so good but yes my lungs do notice, especially if I got very hot first).

[Kayleicia in reply to Lysistrata]

Sadly I can’t even use a lot of things to cool me down because I have a problem called cold urticaria which can cause anaphylaxis if my body is too cold - utter nightmare! Lungs don’t like the heat, rest of the body fears the cold 😂🙄

[Kayleicia in reply to mixmix]

No, I can’t seem to get any slots lately so I’m having to go out to get it 😅 - yeah I think I will do

[Hardy31]

Basically, keep out of the hot weather. My asthma is certainly not helped by any humid weather. Fortunately for me, the last time I was admitted to hospital, a doctor provided me with a montelukast tablet. Ever since I have taken one of these each night, I have never needed to use an inhaler, other than a night and morning couple of Trimbow puffs as a preventative.

[Claire_ALUK Partner ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi Kayleicia, welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear you are struggling though. Anything urgent please ring 111 or your GP now, asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

Please don't hesitate however to give us a ring on 0300 2225800 or for the WhatsApp [phone] Mon-Fri 9-5 😊👍.

asthma.org.uk/advice/diagno...

[MrsCMK]

Hey! Sorry to hear you’re struggling. This kind of weather is particularly bothersome, even for the most well controlled asthmatics. It can also feel pretty scary and overwhelming too when you try and breathe in this thick, heavy air.

The advice already offered is no better than I can give, however pleas ensure that you don’t sit and wait for it to get better 🙏🏽

Stay well and look after yourself

[Danny_Z7]

Sorry to hear how you are feeling. Above has some really interesting and helpful tips and guidance.

Another thing I would add is to try to manage any stress or anxiety too.. As worrying about going out or being in the heat can make our symptoms feel worse. I’m currently trying mindfulness everyday, and this seems to have calmed my “normal” breathing down and relaxed some of my muscles around my neck and chest.

I spoke to an Asthma UK nurse recently and they were brilliant. Worth a call, even if it’s to discuss symptoms and options.

[Kayleicia in reply to Danny_Z7]

Yep, definitely! I think stress/worry exacerbate most problems. I’ve found that meditation helps to keep mentally sound but sometimes I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with illnesses 😨

[Nutzs47]

I have struggled with the hot humid weather along with high pollen counts over the last couple of years but my asthma nurse prescribed me montelukast the year before last and then my dr changed my antihistamine from cetrizine to fexofenadine which as helped a lot I was also prescribed a steroid nasal spray so maybe your dr could prescribe something similar

[Kayleicia in reply to Nutzs47]

I have actually been prescribed montelukast so I’m hoping when that kicks in it’ll be good! I also live off of fexofenadine (4 a day 🙄) which tends to help with my hives but I think I need a nasal spray

[hilary39]

It's exacerbating my asthma so much this week! I feel you!! Sleeping with a fan has helped me sleep but I am pretty miserable in the afternoons when it's especially hot. Oof. Hoping this heatwave ends soon!

[Kayleicia in reply to hilary39]

Me too! I’ve only just started on a preventer inhaler so I’m really hoping that kicks in soon! Feels bloody awful

[Hpaddict]

Yes heatwaves seem to be a trigger for me too. I have had asthma since I was 18 months old and the hot weather triggers me off. I think it is because the hot air we are breathing in narrows the airways but not 100%. My only advice is to try and keep cool, and take your reliever inhaler if you need to as that is what I am trying to do to calm mine down. Hope this helps.

[Kayleicia in reply to Hpaddict]

Thank-you! Yeah, I’ve been living by the fan lately, I just hope the weather starts to cool down and calm down

[B_Asthma]

The worst for me is hot weather with humidity. Many times I feel like I am inhaling through a straw. Some Ventolin will help me breath better. If not then it is a sign, I am heading for a potential flare-up.