Why asthma gets worse in spring

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Spring means warmer days and flowers starting to bloom

Unfortunately, it also brings pollen and unstable temperatures, which make managing asthma more difficult.

What triggers your asthma in spring

In spring, the biggest challenge comes from allergens and environmental changes that irritate the airways, causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. “Asthmatics have inflamed airways, and the change of season can cause further swelling and excess mucus, making it harder to breathe,” explains Dr Andre Nortje, a pulmonologist at Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt.

According to our expert pulmonologist, these are the tips to follow for managing your asthma during spring:

• Check your pollen forecast: If you experience hay fever, pollen is a trigger for your asthma.
• Manage your hay fever symptoms early: Managing hay fever is an important part of overall asthma care since it can exacerbate asthma.
• Keep a low-allergen garden: Gardens can harbour allergens that can trigger asthma, hay fever and allergy symptoms. Avoid compost heaps or gardening on windy days when pollen may be airborne. Also, try to avoid plants with strong fragrances, such as jasmines.
• Minimise exposure to household allergens: Dust and dust mites can irritate sensitive airways. Maintain a home that is as allergen-free as possible through regular cleaning and dust reduction.

Managing your asthma with your doctor

Spring doesn’t have to come with the anxiety and fear of constant asthma attacks. Knowing your triggers, following your asthma action plan from your doctors and taking your prescribed medication and adding these precautions can make a big difference.

Communicating with your GP before spring starts if you’re struggling to control asthma or allergy symptoms can help with identifying your triggers and finding ways to reduce or avoid them.