Life With Asthma: Seasonal Hacks

Living with asthma can be tough because it can impact your everyday life. Some days may be more challenging than others. On a given day, you may have to manage symptoms, avoid specific triggers, or explain your condition to someone who does not understand it.

Asthma can also be tricky because asthma control can vary from day to day or season to season. This is when life hacks come in handy. These clever tips and tricks help us function better during those more challenging days or seasons with asthma.

We asked our community members to share some of their life hacks for managing asthma during the fall and winter seasons and we have compiled some of them here.

Fall asthma life hacks

While others may be out enjoying a campfire or the fall leaves, for those with asthma, fall can be a triggering time of year. Our community members shared several life hacks they use during the fall season.

Stay on schedule

Many participants shared that they make sure to stay on top of their daily medicine routines. Others said it was important to remember to take drugs for their asthma exactly as prescribed by their doctor.

"During the fall, what I do is I remember to take my controller medications every morning and night. If I can stay on top of it, I can give myself the best chance possible to be able to breathe well during the fall months."

"I take my daily inhalers, and make sure I have enough nebulizer meds and rescue inhalers on hand."

Check the air quality

Several community members commented that they check the air quality before going outside so they can be aware of any triggers they may endure.

"I check the weather, such as the air quality, before I walk the dog."

"I watch the air quality alerts."

"Daily, I start in September checking for the most common pollens."

Stay indoors

Some participants shared that they prefer to stay indoors during the fall months. Some also try to maintain good air quality inside the house by using air purifiers and staying on top of cleaning. This reduces dust or other triggers that might be in the air. Other folks take care to minimize triggers they bring in from outdoors.

"I stay inside most of the time. If someone is having a bonfire, I close the windows."

"I stay indoors, away from the outdoor environmental elements that attack me at this time of the year."

"I have an air purifier in my living room."

"I use an air purifier in the house and vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum."

"I spend a lot of time outdoors around triggers like hay and garden plants. So, the first thing I do when I come in from completing a chore is wash my hands and face (including the inside of my nose)."

Wear a mask

Community members also mentioned that they wear a face mask in the fall to protect them from some of their asthma triggers. Masks also protect from germs that may cause their asthma to flare.

"I wear a mask every time I step out of my door. And anyone except close family who enters my house, I ask them to wear a mask also."

"I wear a mask or scarf on the colder days."

Winter asthma hacks

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms or has the same asthma triggers. We had over 200 community members say that they experience worse asthma symptoms in the winter than they do in the fall. It’s good to learn about what you may be exposed to in the winter months and what tips may help keep asthma symptoms at bay.

We asked the community to share their winter asthma hacks. Here are some of the highlighted tips from the forum.

Covering faces to keep the cold out

Several people shared that their winter asthma hack was to keep their mouths, noses, and/or ears covered from the cold. Some suggested ways to do that included masks, gaiters, earmuffs, and scarves.

“Basically, I wear a scarf anytime it's in the 40s. If I don't cover my mouth in that cold and/or wind, I get asthma symptoms.”

“I'll be wearing a ski mask/gaiter this year along with my face mask since the pandemic.”

“I really try and remember to keep air from entering through [to] my ears.”

“Keep wrapped up well when outside, wear thermal clothing if possible.”

Do you use a face cover in the winter to keep the cold air from triggering your asthma?

Keeping up with cleaning

Several people mentioned that they try to keep their houses clean in various ways, likely to reduce exposure to triggers. Some even mentioned using air purifiers and trying to manage the humidity of their home.

“I have the house cleaned often to keep dust mites down.”

“I also have my apartment cleaned twice a month.”

Asthma medications

A couple of community members shared that their long-term medications or maintenance inhalers are also important in keeping asthma away in the wintertime. Discuss what medication regimen is best for you with your doctor.

Staying warm

While not everyone can stay indoors all the time during the winter, some folks mentioned that staying inside when they can is a way to help manage their asthma.

Share your own seasonal hacks for managing asthma

To read everything our community members had to say or to share your own fall season hack, you can visit the original forum.

Do you have any winter asthma hacks that you’d like to share with the community? Read the original thread here, and add to the conversation!