Top Asthma and Allergy Management Tips for Seasonal Changes

Asthma is a chronic condition that never really gets cured but gets better, if you learn how to manage it in an effective manner. It is a major public health concern in the Indian subcontinent, as numbers increase year after year. More young children are affected than adults, which is why teaching children how to manage their symptoms at an early age becomes very important. Asthma, as we all know is a condition where some agent causes inflammation of the airways- causing it to swell, lead to greater mucus production as a protective measure – and lead to breathlessness as a symptom, as the airways get narrower and there is not enough space for oxygen rich air to move into the body. Though asthma is pretty manageable, it can turn fatal if not treated in time. So, let us look at some asthma and allergy management tips in this blog.

Seasonal Asthma Triggers-

Asthma is normally caused due to some kind of triggering agent- and this is different for everyone. Some of the most well known triggers include pet fur, dander, pollen, dust, smoke, strong perfumes or even stress. Symptoms are known to get worse with changing seasons or when air is drier, colder or hotter and more humid than before (read the times between winter or monsoon or summer).  When an asthma attack occurs, your airways begin to spasm in protest and produce more mucus, making you wheeze and cough- in an attempt to clear the airway better. Most individuals  tend to get asthma when they are kids, but older individuals can also get affected, though occurrence is much rarer with adult onset. There are different kinds of asthma too- allergy induced, occupational asthma, asthma due to COPD as an underlying cause, exercise induced or even a cough-variant one, respectively. 

Allergy Control During Weather Changes

Since asthma is mostly based on a trigger, learning more about what can cause your symptoms to flare up can help dramatically. With respect to weather change-related allergies and asthma, these are some helpful tips to follow, so you don’t have to deal with asthma attacks too often- 

• Try to wear a mask when you clean the house, rugs and carpets, or bedding, and keep windows closed, so pollen, dust or mold don’t get in easily. 
• For some people who are especially sensitive, drying your clothes indoors may also help. 
• Bedding, blankets, and pillows- all of them need to be washed and aired out in the sun whenever possible, on a regular schedule. This is to keep dust mites away. 
• If your doctor has given you a maintenance inhaler, then use it before going out or exercising, to reduce the probability of an attack occurring. Keep it with you at all times, so you can feel better if you are unwittingly exposed to some trigger when you go out. 
• You should look at the weather forecast religiously- and check if it is too hot, cold, or humid outside. Use a scarf or a mask, so that the air you breathe in is not too cold or hot. 
• Focus on hydration throughout the day and wear warm clothes. Try to move your outdoor exercise routine indoors. 

Natural Remedies For Asthma

Some well-known remedies include- 

Eating a diet rich in Vitamin C, anti-inflammatory spices and herbs – like ginger and honey tea, boiling tulsi leaves to make a decoction, turmeric milk or rasam with pepper and garlic, using carom seeds, garlic or mulethi regularly can help. But, remember, these are not the same as taking your medications or using an inhaler.

Conclusion

Managing pollen allergies with the change in seasons can seem daunting if it is a known asthma trigger for you, but don’t worry too much. Following some basic rules like using a mask or scarf while going out, keeping the inhaler with you at all times, and being more mindful of other triggers can help you avoid sudden flare-ups for the most part. Thankfully, Indian kitchens are normally full of good spices, herbs, and decoctions- which can help soothe you and provide relief. Talk to a doctor if your flare-up is severe, if you are not able to sleep peacefully, or have skin rashes along with wheezing and related symptoms. Allergy management needs specific care, so talk to a specialist without any delay!

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