Reducing the risk of ‘thunderstorm asthma’ during summer

The local NHS is urging people with asthma to use their preventer inhalers in the build-up and during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of their condition getting worse. In addition, the advice is to also carry their reliever inhalers before and during stormy weather.

Thunderstorms can lead to more pollen being carried on strong winds, especially over summer. This can result in pollen being broken down into smaller particles which can reach deeper into people’s lungs and lead to asthma attacks.

Some 116,000 people across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West have asthma while changes in weather, pollen, air pollution and thunderstorms can trigger breathlessness, wheezing and coughing. People with hay fever are also at risk.

Tips include:

• Use your preventer inhalers regularly in the days leading up to an expected storm.
• If possible, stay indoors before, during and after a storm, with windows closed.
• If outdoors, wear a mask to reduce pollen exposure.
• Be aware of weather forecast alerts for high pollen.
• Carry a reliever inhaler on you before and during a storm.

You can read more about managing asthma in the BOB ICB news story.