An asthma attack during the pollen season is known as thunderstorm asthma. It might impact a large number of people simultaneously, which might lead to a widespread asthma attack.
When severe asthma symptoms are brought on by a combination of pollen and meteorological factors, thunderstorm asthma happens. This could cause many people to get asthma symptoms within a short period during a heavy thunderstorm.
It can be fatal to be unprepared for an asthma attack. Preparing for unexpected asthma symptoms may involve knowing what to anticipate from impending weather occurrences. In the event of thunderstorm asthma, having an asthma action plan, up-to-date medicine, and rescue inhalers can be useful.
Can thunderstorms cause an asthma attack?
Indeed, asthma attacks can be triggered by thunderstorms.
During pollen season, a thunderstorm may concentrate pollen at the ground level. The concentrated pollen is subsequently dispersed into the ambient air, a process known as aerosolization. Because of the high concentration of allergens in the air, the first 20 to 30 minutes of a thunderstorm are the most likely times to trigger an asthma attack. Under these circumstances, an asthma attack can happen to anyone, even non-asthmatics with seasonal allergies.
However, not every thunderstorm will cause an asthma attack. Allergens must be accumulated at a high ground level. Typically, mold spores or grass pollen are included in this. Usually, these allergens are too big to breathe in, but during a thunderstorm, the high humidity and intense rain make it easier to breathe in pollen, fungus spores, and other allergies.
Asthma related to thunderstorms is uncommon in the US. On the other hand, Melbourne, Australia, saw an epidemic-level thunderstorm asthma outbreak in 2016. Nine people died from asthma during this intense storm, and about 8,500 people visited the ER for asthma-related problems.
Symptoms of thunderstorm asthma
- chest tightness
- wheezing
- coughing
- shortness of breath
Treatment options for thunderstorm asthma
You should proceed according to your usual plan of action if you are experiencing a thunderstorm-related asthma attack.
Typically, this entails inhaling your rescue inhaler a few times. Your airways will widen as a result, making breathing simpler for you.
Nebulizers may be necessary for little children or people with severe asthma to administer their medication.
A nebulizer or rescue inhaler should offer some degree of instant relief, and after 15 to 20 minutes, the majority of the symptoms should go away. You can provide the treatment again if they haven’t. Call 911 or arrange for someone to drive you to the closest emergency room if the treatment is ineffective.
Do antihistamines help thunderstorm asthma?
In most cases, antihistamines are not the primary line of treatment for asthma. However, antihistamines can be useful if you don’t have an emergency inhaler on hand because a thunderstorm asthma attack is comparable to an allergic asthma attack.
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diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
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loratadine (Claritin)
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cetirizine (Zyrtec)
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fexofenadine (Allegra)
What precautions should be taken for thunderstorm asthma?
- Watch the weather: Keep an eye out for any storms or other events that can cause an increase in airborne allergies.
- Be aware of the pollen count: When the pollen count in your location hits high levels, many apps can notify you.
- Stay indoors: During a storm, stay inside and close windows and doors.
- Update your asthma action plan: Retain up-to-date records and keep them close at hand, particularly during peak pollen seasons.
- Know where your inhaler is: Have nebulizers, rescue inhalers, or asthma prescriptions close to hand.
Thunderstorm asthma and climate change
The hazard to respiratory health around the world is growing due to climate change and extreme weather events, such as thunderstorms. Events that cause mold infestation, poor air quality, and increased pollen production include heat waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
Additionally, they have been connected to an increase in hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses including asthma. The heightened occurrence of these extreme weather phenomena may lead to overcrowding in medical facilities and worse asthma results.
Takeaway
An uncommon but possibly severe result of an extreme weather event is thunderstorm asthma. A thunderstorm’s increased allergens may cause an asthma attack, particularly in those who have allergic asthma.
An asthma attack during a thunderstorm may be avoided by keeping an up-to-date asthma action plan, being aware of where your rescue inhalers are, and keeping an eye on any impending weather changes. It can also be helpful to monitor the daily pollen count if you suffer from severe allergies or allergic asthma to better understand your symptoms.