Tips on Preventing an Asthma Attack Outdoors

As the weather gets warmer, many of us are excited about spending time outdoors with loved ones. However, for people with asthma, pollutants and irritants in the air can make outdoor gatherings a source of anxiety and potential health hazards. Luckily, there are lots of ways to keep yourself safe and prepared for an asthma event, so you don’t have to miss out on joining your friends and family in enjoying the sunshine. Here are some handy tips to keep yourself or a loved one with asthma safe outdoors this summer.

What Is Asthma?

Many people assume asthma is a condition that mainly affects children. In reality, asthma is a complex respiratory condition that affects everyone differently. Some people acquire asthma in childhood, and others develop the condition as an adult. Some people may experience symptoms frequently or over a long period of time, whilst others will only experience asthma sporadically or following exposure to a trigger such as pollen, dust, or cold weather. People suffering from asthma have more sensitive airways, which can become inflamed and narrow, making it difficult for air to be transported through the airways into the lungs. When this narrowing of the airways occurs, it is called a flare-up. An asthma flare-up can cause serious breathing difficulties, and even lead to a medical emergency. Whilst there is currently no cure available for asthma, there is a lot that can be done to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups or attacks. These prevention and treatment strategies can potentially save one’s life.

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

Effective management of asthma starts with knowing what signs and symptoms to look for, so you know that it is asthma you are experiencing. Symptoms occur as a result of narrowed airways, reducing the amount of airflow available throughout the body. This can cause a range of symptoms, which may differ from person to person. However, common symptoms often include difficulty breathing, wheezing, persistent coughing and tightness in the chest area. Some people who have asthma can also have what is called ‘silent symptoms’ meaning their inflamed airways don’t produce the more obvious signs such as wheezing or coughing. In these cases it is vitally important to have an Asthma Action Plan that can notify others of your unique symptoms and signs, so that you can be supported to access treatment as soon as you need it. 

What Are Some Common Asthma Triggers During the Holidays?

People with asthma have airways that are more sensitive, or sensitive to things that may not bother someone without asthma. Things that cause irritation or signs and symptoms of an asthma flare-up to occur are called triggers. There are a wide range of triggers, and individuals with asthma may be sensitive to some triggers but not others. Common environmental triggers for asthma include dust, smoke, pollen, air pollution, animal dander and thunderstorms. Avoiding the impacts of these triggers can be done by limiting your exposure where possible, or by managing your condition effectively with preventative medicine. Other lifestyle triggers can include respiratory illnesses like colds and flu, exercise, sex and laughter. People with asthma shouldn’t necessarily avoid these activities, but it is a good idea to seek advice from your doctor for medication or other preventative treatment options to prevent a flare-up as a result of these lifestyle factors. Some people experience worsening asthma symptoms as a result of emotional triggers, certain foods, hay fever, and local pollutants like mold or dampness. It is important to seek a formal diagnosis and thorough testing to understand your unique triggers and the most effective options to manage them.

Tips on Preventing an Asthma Attack

There is no cure for asthma, so learning to live with the condition requires a close understanding of how it affects you. You should also share this information with your loved ones, so that there are multiple people who know how to support you. Some ways you can be prepared and help prevent an asthma attack from occurring include:

Identify Your Triggers

Knowing what triggers are most significant for you, as well as the early signs that your asthma is being triggered is the first step in effective prevention. Some triggers may be determined during your diagnosis process, whilst others may not be discovered until later. Keeping a diary of your symptoms will help you to know what situations require additional management such as preventative medications like albuterol. This diary can also help inform your decision-making, letting you know which environments are likely to cause severe symptoms, such as smoking areas, high pollen areas, and extremely cold environments. You can then make plans to spend time outdoors in areas where your triggers may be less prevalent. It is also a good idea to ask friends and family to help manage your asthma by not smoking in your car, home or anywhere else that you spend a lot of time. Smoke can be extremely triggering and lead to serious asthma attacks. 

Avoid Getting Colds and Flu

Taking steps to maintain good overall wellbeing and avoiding catching colds and flu from others can help avoid an asthma flare-up. Avoid close contact with people who are unwell, as catching their illness can make your asthma worse. Wash your hands after being in contact with unwell people or after spending time in busy public spaces. Consider getting your annual flu shot and make sure you are up to date with any other vaccinations or medical checkups you may need. 

Remove Allergens From Your Living Space

Taking steps to maintain a clean and allergen or trigger-free home environment can help avoid asthma symptoms. Keeping the home free of dust, animal dander, and other irritants can help you to breathe easier, with the support of domestic assistance if cleaning and housekeeping is difficult for you. Avoid feather or down pillows, or laundry detergents with strong odours or chemicals, as these can also be sources of common asthma triggers. If you find that the air in your home is consistently causing breathing difficulties or irritation, investing in an air purifier may be helpful in managing or reducing the impact of your asthma symptoms.

Immunotherapy Allergy Shots

If you have allergies, you may want to consider immunotherapy allergy shots. Strong allergic reactions can make your asthma symptoms worse, so treatment that prevents severe allergies can also play a role in preventing asthma attacks. Allergy shots work by injecting small amounts of the allergen under the skin periodically, allowing your body to build up a base level of immune response so that you are not as severely affected when exposed to the allergen in your daily life. 

Take Asthma Medications as Prescribed

Asthma medication is not only for when you are in the middle of experiencing symptoms. People with asthma often need to take long-term asthma medication on a daily basis, even if they are feeling well. This medication, called controller medication, differs from quick-relief medications that are used to alleviate symptoms during an attack. Controller medication helps to reduce and prevent inflammation in the airways so they are less likely to become restricted when exposed to triggers. Taking your medication consistently is an important way of preventing serious illness.

Check the Weather Forecast

Some triggers are very particularly risky, and also difficult to avoid. Epidemics of thunderstorm asthma can be serious, as thunderstorms often combine high winds with high pollen counts, creating serious risks of emergency asthma events. Keeping an eye on the weather forecast can give you a heads up about conditions that pose a risk for thunderstorm asthma. This can then help you to plan your outdoor gatherings on days where the risk is more low or moderate. You can even set up alerts for your local area so that you are notified on days where there is a high thunderstorm asthma risk, empowering you to make plans without the fear of being seriously triggered and having an asthma attack.

Follow Your Asthma Action Plan

Every person may experience their asthma differently. Your doctor can work with you to create and maintain a personalised, up-to-date asthma action plan to help you stay on top of your symptoms and manage your asthma effectively. Your asthma plan can help remind you to take your medication, keep a reliever on you at all times, and identify and respond to any signs or symptoms that a flare-up is likely to occur. This plan can be used to help inform friends, family, colleagues and other people of how to support you in the event of a flare-up.

Tips on Being Prepared for an Asthma Attack

Despite the very real risks of some triggers that are common in outdoor settings, people with asthma can still enjoy spending time outside with loved ones in a safe and controlled way. You can protect yourself by being thoroughly prepared for exposure to triggers or the onset of signs and symptoms, and having a plan for how to manage a flare-up or asthma attack when and if it occurs. The following tips can help you be prepared to manage an asthma attack and your next outdoor gathering. 

Have Your Rescue Inhaler/Medication on Hand

Experiencing an asthma attack can be scary, as it can come on quite suddenly or unexpectedly. Make sure your rescue inhaler or medication is close to hand, as well as your spacer if you use one. Consider explaining your inhaler and its use to those you are catching up with, so they can support you in the event that you need to use it. 

Get Away From the Trigger

If you are spending time outdoors and suddenly notice your asthma symptoms worsening, note what the likely cause is and try to remove or limit your exposure to the trigger. If the trigger is pollen in the air, for example, try to get somewhere inside. You can also wash your hands, face, and arms to remove any particles that may still be on your skin. The nature of the trigger will determine to what extent you can realistically get away from it, however reducing your exposure as much as possible can make a difference.

Focus On Breathing

In the midst of an asthma attack, you may experience anxiety or fear as a result of feeling breathless or having a tight chest. Try your best to stay calm and focus your attention on taking full, deep breaths. The narrowing of the airways that takes place during a flare-up can reduce the amount of oxygen being transported around your body, making it even more important to remain calm and focus on conscious breathing.

Know and Perform Asthma First Aid

An asthma attack can sometimes quickly become an asthma emergency. If management strategies like taking reliever medication do not sufficiently address the asthma event, it is helpful to know how to perform Asthma First Aid. If you or someone you love is experiencing a serious asthma attack, it may be safest to assume Asthma First Aid is required, which involves the following steps. 

1. Sit the person upright. Speak to them in a calm and reassuring tone, and don’t leave them on their own.
2. Give the person four puffs from their reliever medication using a blue or grey inhaler, with a spacer if available. Give the person one puff at a time, followed by four regular breaths.
3. Wait four minutes. If the person is still having difficulty breathing, give another four puffs from their reliever, followed by another four regular breaths.
4. If the person still cannot breathe properly, call 000 and request an ambulance, explaining that there is a person having a serious asthma attack. Continue giving four puffs of reliever at four minute intervals whilst you wait for the ambulance to arrive.

More About Asthma Action Plans

Asthma Action Plans are one of the best ways to effectively manage your asthma, both on a daily basis and in events where you experience flare-ups or attacks. Your doctor should support you to create a plan that is custom to your unique condition, triggers, current management and medication regime. To find out more about what Asthma Action Plans look like, and the information they contain, you can browse the National Asthma Council’s templates. Your Asthma Action Plan should be easily available at all times, so it is a good idea to keep printed copies in your home, car, workplace, and anywhere else you spend a lot of time. It’s also a good idea to give copies to important people in your life, such as family, friends, colleagues, medical professionals and support workers or nurses so that everyone is well equipped to address symptoms wherever and whenever they occur. Taking a photo or scan of your written Asthma Action Plan to store on your smartphone is another handy way to make sure it is always available when you are out and about.

Have a Loved One Suffering From Asthma?

Asthma is a serious condition, but it doesn’t have to reduce your quality of life or prevent you from having fun and making memories with loved ones. Being prepared can drastically reduce your risk of serious asthma attacks, and leave you feeling calm and reassured that you know how to manage your asthma symptoms. If in any doubt, or if you want more support to manage your asthma, always speak to your trusted medical professional before making any changes to your asthma management strategies.