How to Avoid an Autumn Asthma Attack

By Robin Westen

With the temperatures turning cooler and the leaves changing color, autumn is a lovely time to be outdoors. But for folks with asthma, it may be a season more likely to trigger an unexpected asthma attack. Here are the hidden health dangers of autumn weather and tips from the American Lung Association on how to avoid them:

Change in Temperature Sudden cold air can be an asthma trigger. Keep a scarf handy. If it turns cold, wrap it around your mouth and to help the air you’re breathing stay warm.

Allergies Ragweed is around long past autumn and it’s a common culprit leading to asthma attacks. If the pollen count is high, remain indoors if possible between the hours of 10 am – 3 pm when it’s most potent.

Staying Warm Gathering around the fireplace, or warming your home with a wood-burning stove, is an autumn pleasure but their smoke can trigger an asthma episode. Kerosene and gas space heaters can also worsen asthma symptoms, so try to limit or avoid exposure if possible.

Leaves Mold can grow on dead leaves when they become wet, and mold can trigger asthma symptoms. Plus, the drier fall temperature makes it easier for mold spores to float in the air. If you’re raking leaves, wear a surgical mask to avoid breathing mold spores into your lungs, as well as gloves, long sleeve shirts, and long pants to keep mold off your skin. Also, remove your clothes and wash them as soon as possible to limit exposure to mold spores in your home.

Outdoor Fires If you live near neighbors who burn leaves, be aware the smoke contains tiny particles that contain a number of pollutants, which can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. These tiny particles can cause respiratory infections or trigger an asthma episode. Stay indoors.

Camping Out Campsites can be a breeding ground for asthma attacks. But if camping is something you truly enjoy doing in autumn, don’t deprive yourself. Instead, take precautions. Be sure to bring along a quick-relief inhaler with you at all times and use it at the first sign of worsening symptoms.

Robin Westen is ThirdAge's Medical Director. Check for her daily updates. Her latest book, co-written with Dr. Alyssa Dweck, is "V is for Vagina."