Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with asthma, there’s a good chance that you have allergies. Spring and summer are the most common allergy seasons, and if you have allergies, you also have an increased risk of experiencing asthma attacks during those months. Asthma attacks can be dangerous because they can cause your airways to swell up, which makes it difficult to breathe. If you experience an asthma attack, the key to preventing complications like respiratory arrest or even death is knowing how to respond correctly when it happens—and those responses can vary depending on the cause of the attack.

What Is Thunderstorm Asthma?

Thunderstorm asthma is a condition where severe weather triggers an asthma attack. The condition is most common in the spring and summer when thunderstorms are more likely to occur. Those with thunderstorm asthma may not have any other history of asthma or allergies. However, they may be more sensitive to pollen, mold, and other allergens that are present in the air during a thunderstorm. When these allergens are breathed in, they can trigger an asthma attack. Symptoms of thunderstorm asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. In severe cases, thunderstorm asthma can lead to hospitalization or even death.

What Causes an Attack?

Thunderstorm asthma is a condition where bad weather, allergies, and asthma come together to create a perfect storm for an asthma attack. The main trigger for thunderstorm asthma is pollen, which is kicked up into the air by the wind and can be breathed in by people with allergies. This can cause an asthma attack even if the person doesn’t have a history of asthma.

What Can I Do to Avoid An Attack?

If you have asthma, it’s important to be extra careful during allergy season. That’s because thunderstorm asthma is a real phenomenon that can cause serious asthma attacks.

When allergens from plants, grass, and trees get wet, they create a thick cloud of pollen. Thunderstorms can also mix in additional allergens like mold spores or animal dander. When that mixture is stirred up by winds and thunder, it can cause asthma attacks for people with allergen sensitivities. But how do you avoid an attack? If you live in an area that’s prone to thunderstorms in early spring, here are some things you can do to protect yourself during allergy season

How Can I Prepare Myself for an Attack?

If you have asthma, it’s important to be extra careful during allergy season. Thunderstorm asthma is a real phenomenon that can cause serious asthma attacks. Here are some tips for how to prepare yourself and stay safe

To protect yourself, keep your asthma medications and inhaler with you at all times. Also, make sure you stay inside during periods of high pollen or spore counts. If a thunderstorm is coming, keep an eye on its trajectory and head indoors before it gets close to your location. Thunderstorms can send pollen into the air for hours after they’ve passed, so don’t wait until it’s too late to seek shelter. If a thunderstorm warning is issued where you live, be sure to listen to local news stations for updated information about how long it will be in effect or whether there are any precautions that need to be taken.

How Are Attacks Treated?

There is no specific treatment for thunderstorm asthma. However, if you have asthma, it’s important to follow your asthma action plan. This plan will help you control your symptoms and prevent an asthma attack. If you don’t have an asthma action plan, talk to your doctor about creating one.