Can this cold weather make asthma worse, and can you feel more nasal congested

[Tedi2]

Asthma info please

[twinkly29]

Yes cold weather, and in fact weather changes generally, are very common asthma triggers.

I don't find the cold itself causes congestion but central heating (which is of course linked to it being cold) can do - and moreso the change in air temps going in and out.

Wearing a face buff or scarf or actually a face mask outside when it's cold helps me. If it's a very cold wind I end up with several layers!

[Tedi2 in reply to twinkly29]

Thankyou

[Wanttobehapppy in reply to Tedi2]

Breathing in the cold air triggers me, definitely keeping my chest warm helps me as well, my nose runs in the cold as well, I hate winter and summer for the pollen, I need to be in permanent spring, we are all different

[LHP118 in reply to twinkly29]

And does a puffer help in these cases?

[twinkly29 in reply to LHP118]

If the shortness of breath/wheeze/coughing (the symptoms will vary across individuals) is caused by asthma then using a reliever inhaler should help. If it's a recurring problem then one should be on a preventer inhaler which should help to stop it happening in the first place.

If the symptoms are not caused by asthma then a reliever inhaler won't help (cold air can make non-asthmatics feel briefly short of breath, but it definitely can cause issues in asthmatics).

[Jolu29]

Yes asthma always gets worse in the cold, do find my sinuses and head aches. Only thing can help is to try not to go outside especially in the snow. Antihistamines and nasal sprays can help recently put on spiriva inhaler that helps with tight chest.

[GFloss]

I agree with twinkly29, I find the heating makes me feel so much stuffy in my nose and can make my cheeks flush. I've noticed it is much worse in the house I live in now than the flat I used to live in in the same city. So, I wonder whether there's something different here that I react to when it's warmed up, e.g. the chemicals in the carpets or paint. Or maybe I'm just growing more sensitive with every year! Asthma UK also has a guide for the cold weather here: asthma.org.uk/about/media/n...