Throughout grass pollen season — which begun on 1 October — there is a heightened risk for thunderstorm asthma.
“Thunderstorm asthma is triggered when during certain types of thunderstorm weather, high numbers of pollen grains swell and burst, releasing its contents into the air that we breathe,” explains Respiratory Consultant Dr Joy Sha.
“This can lead to an increase in asthma symptoms, and in some instances, severe and fatal asthma attacks.”
It is important for people who suffer from hay fever and/or asthma to be well prepared.
Protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma:
• Speak to your doctor about what you can do to protect yourself this pollen season
• Learn the 4 steps of asthma first aid
• Be aware of thunderstorm asthma forecasts and pollen counts during pollen season
• Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms – especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm
For more information on thunderstorm asthma, and to learn how you can protect yourself and others, visit: http://ow.ly/RJk150KXEuI