Being Prepared for the Summer Months

I would say the thing that most has the worst effect on my asthma is grass and tree pollens. If I look back at all my hospital admissions as a child, teenager, and adult, the one thing they all had in common was that they - nearly all - took place during the hottest months of the year. I have had some pretty close calls with my asthma, so whenever the weather warms and we come closer to the summer season, I try my hardest to stay on top of things. How do I do this? Well, the first thing I sort out is my medicine routine.

Adjusting my medications (with advisement)

If I notice my breathing getting short or wheezy, I will double up on my inhaler intake. Normally, this means an extra puff or two in the evenings of my preventer inhaler (Seretide). I must say, I do not take any extra action without consulting my primary care physician to make sure it is safe as well as necessary. So, increasing my Seretide helps build a stronger defense against any unwelcome allergens.

Next, I make sure I have a good supply of antihistamines in my apartment. I take it twice a day, one in the morning and the other just before bed. I find that this aids in keeping the inflammation down and, again, it protects against any irritations such as pollens, house dust, etc. Keeping well hydrated is essential for me. This helps my skin as well as my asthma. I think it is a great thing to do because it allows my body to flush out all the toxins in my system, leaving me feeling cleansed.

Keeping property well ventilated

Another important factor to consider is the ventilation of your property. Making sure there is good air circulation is key in keeping my asthma at bay. I have a Dyson fan that is an absolute Godsend in the summer months.

Also, vacuuming regularly is crucial. Especially in my case as I have atopic dermatitis and this means I shed a lot of skin. During the summertime, I tend to shower twice a day. This is another really important thing I do to keep my asthma at bay because it essentially means that I am washing off any allergens that may have been caught up in my hair and skin that day. Then I can go to bed knowing that there is nothing that will worsen my condition.

Avoiding summer asthma triggers

Lastly, I make sure I become a little stricter with the triggers which I know can set my asthma off. I avoid going to parks or places where there is a lot of greenery. Don't get me wrong, if it is a big family occasion or something, I will attend. But where possible, I will avoid places where I know the pollen will be high.

Avoiding crowded areas is essential, too. Knowing that there are big open spaces keeps me calm and reassured that I am in complete control of my breathing.

What are your tips for managing summer asthma triggers? Share in the comments below!