If you have seasonal allergies, you are probably looking for a season when your allergies reduce, and you can live life without worrying about your allergies flaring up. But while you might think spring is the worst time of the year for you, thunderstorms pose an even bigger threat. While it may come as a surprise for many, thunderstorms have been known to aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms. Here’s all you need to know about thunderstorm-triggered allergies and asthma.
What is thunderstorm asthma?
As you might guess from the name, thunderstorm asthma, thunder fever, or thunderstorm-triggered asthma (TA) is an asthma attack that occurs immediately after a thunderstorm. Understandably, it may be hard to wrap your head around the fact that thunderstorms may trigger an allergic reaction or asthma attack. Don’t thunderstorms wash away the pollens in the air? While this may be true for regular rain, thunderstorms are a bit different. Based on an emerging body of research, thunderstorms can break up pollen grains and other allergens into smaller grains, thereby increasing the pollen count. Being smaller, these allergens become easily inhalable, light enough to be suspended in the air for longer, placing asthma and allergy sufferers at risk of experiencing an attack.
Another theory as to why thunderstorms increase allergies and asthma attacks revolve around the wind. Researchers espouse that strong thunderstorm winds may stir up ground-based pollens and molds that are not typically airborne. This makes it much more likely for people to get exposed to them and suffer an allergic reaction or asthma attack as a result. In addition, lighting is said to potentially charge tiny particles in the air, allowing allergens to stick to the lungs.
Tips for reducing thunderstorm allergies and asthma symptoms
Reduce time spent outside in storm season
Reducing exposure to allergens has always been the safest way to prevent symptoms from flaring and causing other complications in the aftermath. During storm season, it is advisable to stay indoors for the immediate period before and after storms. Managing the conditions and how you react to them will keep you safer than drugs taken after exposure will.
Follow weather reports about pollen, mold, and ragweed counts
Knowing what the conditions of the day will be before you leave the house will help you develop the appropriate action plan to combat your allergies. If it means you have to take your allergy medicines pre-emptively, it works best when you know what to expect and work with it. This will also help reduce exposure and help you avoid instances when you are caught unawares.
Have proactive asthma and allergic reaction action plan
If you know you have allergies, the best way to prevent the symptoms from affecting you as much is advanced planning. For those seeking allergy treatment in advance, having their medication on them or a routine to follow in the event they have an asthma attack is recommended. At Allergy and Asthma Care, we work with each patient to develop an individual plan so that patients know what to do in certain situations before looking for help.
The exact causes of thunderstorm-triggered allergies and asthma attacks may still be up for debate. That’s because, being short-lived events, thunderstorms don’t offer scientists adequate opportunity to study them in detail. Plus, not that many people react to thunderstorms, and as such, it’s once again challenging for scientists to establish an exact cause. Nevertheless, there’s no denying that thunderstorm season does come with an increase in allergies and asthma attacks, especially among people with undiagnosed asthma or allergies.
If you suspect that you are having an allergic reaction or need help handling your allergies and asthma, get in touch with Allergy and Asthma care in Metro-east, and let’s get you started on an allergy treatment tailored to your needs.