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.

4 asthma triggers to navigate this winter

1. Cold wind and weather

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:

• Ensure you have extra medication available. I like to keep extra medication in my bag and jacket pocket to ensure it's available when needed. That way, I never have to worry about accidentally leaving my medication at home.
  
  
• Speak with your doctor. They might offer advice on handling your asthma in winter through medication, lifestyle changes, or strategies that suit your location.
  
  
• Have a scarf or mask on hand. Wearing a cold weather face mask or scarf can help warm the air before it reaches your lungs. Scarves or masks trap the humidity from your exhaled air and help mix it with the cold, dry air from the environment. This warms and re-humidifies the outside air before it shocks your lungs. I wear glasses, so this is a challenge due to fogging, but it's one of my few surefire strategies to help manage cold air-induced asthma symptoms. 


2. Exercising outdoors

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:

• Warm-up indoors. A few jumping jacks, dancing to a couple of tracks, or 10 minutes of gentle aerobics followed by some stretches are a good start. My lungs are getting used to the prospect of a workout without the immediate addition of icy winter air, too.
  
  
• Keep your core warm. Now your indoor warm-up has got your blood circulation going, it's time to venture outside. A light, insulating fleece with a hip-length gilet over the top will keep your arms and legs free to move.
  
  
• As mentioned above, use a cold air barrier over your mouth and nose, such as a scarf or mask. Ensure the barrier isn't too thick – just enough to warm the air when you breathe through your mouth.
  
  
• Don’t forget your prescribed medication. You may not need it, but better safe than sorry. Wear a jacket or bottoms with zip pockets (you don't want to lose it), or keep it in a small, light pack around your waist.
  
  
• Keep it short. Sometimes, on particularly cold days, my workout may only be a brisk walk to the bus stop on the way to an appointment. It’s not ideal, but at least I’m not sedentary.
  
  
• Use a gym. Expensive, yes, and, depending on where you live, not always very convenient. However, if you live close enough to a gym so that it's not a giant hassle, consider getting a membership. It'll be useful when cold air limits outdoor activity.

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.

3. Indoor fires, dust, and still, dry air

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.

4. Cold and flu viruses

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