Everyone’s asthma or hay fever is different, so make sure you are well-prepared when summer temperatures rise.

Some people get asthma symptoms in hot humid air, while others are affected by hot dry air. Many people find extreme weather changes can trigger their asthma – especially when moving from a hot humid weather outside into a cool building.

While asthma triggered by the heat doesn’t normally cause extra symptoms, it is important to stay alert in case your asthma flares-up.

What you can do

Here are our top tips for helping you and your family keep healthy during these hotter periods.

Keep cool

• Your reliever puffer doesn’t like extreme heat, so make sure it’s not stored in your car glovebox or under a sunny window
• Avoid going out in the sun and make sure you cover up if you do go outside
• Swap your outdoor run for a gym session or swim
• Escape to an air-conditioned shopping centre, cinema or library
• If your house isn’t air-conditioned, use a portable fan to keep cool. This can work better if you close windows and doors and try to keep one room cool

Stay hydrated

• Dehydration can play a role in asthma and allergies, so it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and lessen your symptoms where possible

Plan your day

• Consider staying indoors or avoiding the outdoors in hot weather or poor air quality days such as when there is bushfire smoke as this can trigger your asthma
• Pollen levels are usually highest before 9am, so try and run errands mid-morning
• Visit pollenforcast.com.au to find daily pollen and mould counts for different Australia states

Take preventative action

Be aware of how you’re feeling. If your asthma symptoms start, act quickly to stop it turning into an asthma attack.

Remember:

• Don’t feel like you have to endure worsening symptoms during the hot and humid weather. If you’re having breathing difficulty and finding that it’s interfering with your normal activity, it’s important that you seek medical help.
• Ensure all of you medication is available and up to date. Over the summer months, it’s easy to get caught off guard with expired medication or find yourself without immediate access to the right medications.