While dealing with icy weather is rarely a picnic for anybody, the winter months pose additional challenges for those living with asthma: seasonal triggers causing asthma flares and attacks. In this article, Kerri Mackay discusses common winter asthma triggers and offers tips to help reduce their impact.
I live in Winnipeg, Canada – a city that, at times, has been colder than Mars and the North Pole. Temperatures in January average out to about five degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius), but the lowest temperature on record was -54 degrees F (or -48 degrees C).
Having lived in one of the coldest cities in the world for the past ten years, I've learned how to manage my asthma in extreme subzero conditions.
Preparing ahead of time can help to ensure you’re not caught off guard when icy winds start hurting your face and lungs.
If you’re like me and struggle with cold air triggering your asthma symptoms, these tips can help you get ready for the dark days of winter:
I’ve slowly learned how to adapt to cold weather and heart rate-increasing activity with asthma. The two together, though? Nightmare!
When it comes to cold air, the easiest way to avoid it is to stay inside. However, we’re not bears, and it’s not easy to hibernate all winter. So, to get myself moving on cold days, I do the following:
Your thresholds for exercise and/or cold exposure may vary. I choose to do outdoor activities like ice skating on days where it is a more acceptable type of cold (to me) — like minus 4°F and warmer with the wind chill versus minus 22°F to minus 40°F.
I get around using public transit, and my bus stop is a moderate walk from my house. On days when it's extremely cold, I reschedule plans or make other transportation arrangements.
Perhaps in the nicer seasons, your go-to is opening your windows to keep your home feeling fresh. In the depths of winter, we want to keep the heat in and the cold out. As a result, opening our windows for fresh air isn't on the cards, and we're stuck with stale, humid air with high levels of C02.
Less air movement makes it more difficult to move dust mites out of our homes. Dust mites may thrive in our homes during winter. Optimum conditions for dust mite growth are around 75 to 80°F (about 24 to 26°C) and 70 to 80 percent relative humidity. Keeping your thermostat between 68°F and 74°F (20°C to 22°C) and layering on the clothes can help prevent a dust mite takeover.
Fireplaces in the home can also cause problems for those with asthma. Smoke and fumes from wood burners may be the more apparent cause of triggering asthma. However, some people link gas fireplaces and stoves with increased asthma symptoms, too.
Stay warm with electric heat sources, layered clothing, and blankets instead of cozying up around the fire if you have asthma.
With winter comes cold and flu season, which can be especially tricky for those with asthma. Boosting your immune system and avoiding germs is essential for this time of year.
So, washing your hands, resting, eating well, and exercising regularly can help keep your body primed to fight germs. It's also helpful to stay current with preventive care and vaccines.
Winter is still my worst asthma season. Fortunately, I've learned ways to manage my asthma during a decade's worth of the coldest winters possible.
The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.
The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen-
NPS-ALL-NP-01457 JANUARY 2025