Can Summer Weather Make Asthma Worse?
Jake Newby
| 5 min read
Jake Newby is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue...
Key Takeaways
- Summer heat, humidity, pollen and poor air quality can all trigger asthma symptoms and flare-ups.
- Check daily air quality and pollen forecasts before spending extended time outdoors during the summer.
- Air conditioning, lower indoor humidity and avoiding smoke can help reduce common summer asthma triggers.
- Follow your asthma action plan, carry your rescue inhaler and talk to your provider if symptoms worsen during summer.
If family vacations, backyard barbecues and long days outdoors are some summer highlights, allergies and asthma triggers are some of the lowlights.
While many associate asthma flare-ups with winter, summer weather can worsen asthma symptoms for some people. Heat, humidity, high pollen counts, poor air quality, ozone pollution, mold spores, wildfire smoke and thunderstorms can all trigger asthma flare-ups.
Understanding your triggers – and taking preventive steps to avoid them – can help you enjoy the summer weather while keeping your asthma under control.
Why summer weather can make asthma worse
Hot, humid weather can be especially hard on the lungs. Heat and humidity may cause the airways to tighten, making it more difficult for people with asthma to breathe, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Hot weather also contributes to higher levels of ground-level ozone, a major component of smog that can irritate the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms.
Humidity presents another challenge. Moist air can feel heavier to breathe while creating an environment for mold to thrive. Mold spores are a common asthma trigger, particularly during the warm, damp months of summer, according to the Allergy & Asthma Network (AAN).
It’s important to note that not everyone experiences asthma the same way. Some people notice fewer symptoms during the summer because they're exposed to fewer respiratory viruses and spend less time indoors around dust mites and other indoor allergens. The AAN states others may find heat, pollen and air pollution lead to more frequent flare-ups.
Other common summer asthma triggers to watch for
Several seasonal factors can increase the likelihood of asthma symptoms.
In addition to thriving mold spores, pollen from grasses, weeds and trees tends to peak during the summer, which can pose problems for people with allergic asthma.
Air pollution is another concern, as hot weather can trap pollutants close to the ground, per the ALA. This can increase ozone levels and reduce air quality.
Signs your asthma may be worsening during the summer
On poor air quality days, even routine outdoor activities can trigger:
- Coughing, especially during outdoor activities
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Needing to use a rescue inhaler more often
- Waking up at night because of breathing problems
Other common summer triggers, according to the AAN, include:
- Smoke from campfires, grills and wildfires.
- Fireworks smoke.
- Vigorous outdoor exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
- Thunderstorms, which can stir pollen into the air and, in some cases, trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
- Chlorine fumes around some swimming pools.
Because triggers vary from person to person, it's helpful to identify which environmental factors make your symptoms worse. If symptoms become severe or do not improve with prescribed medication, seek medical care immediately.
Tips to reduce summer asthma flare-ups
While you can’t control the weather, you can reduce your exposure to common asthma triggers.
The best first step is to check your local air quality forecast before spending extended time outdoors. If ozone or pollen levels are high, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends moving activities indoors or planning walks and exercise earlier in the morning, when temperatures and pollution levels are often lower. Wearing properly fitting masks outdoors may help some people manage their asthma triggers.
Keeping your home cool as much as possible is also worth prioritizing. The AAN recommends trying to keep indoor humidity between about 30% and 50% to discourage mold growth. Air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help create a more asthma-friendly environment during particularly humid stretches.
If smoke from campfires, fireworks or wildfires are present, limit your exposure whenever possible. The EPA says closing windows and using high-efficiency air filtration indoors can help reduce airborne irritants. You can check the U.S. Air Quality Index to see the levels of fine particulate pollution and when you may want to stay indoors depending on your risk level and sensitivity.
Always be sure to continue taking your prescribed asthma medications, even when you're feeling well. Summer activities and vacations can disrupt routines, but maintaining your treatment plan and carrying your inhaler can help prevent minor symptoms from turning into a serious asthma attack. If you notice that your symptoms consistently worsen during the summer, talk with your primary care provider about updating your asthma action plan before the season reaches its hottest months.
Asthma action plans are personalized, written documents created by yourself and your healthcare provider that outline how to manage your asthma.
Summer asthma FAQs
Is hot weather bad for asthma?
Hot weather can trigger asthma symptoms for some people because heat may irritate the airways and contribute to poorer air quality and higher ozone levels.
Hot weather can trigger asthma symptoms for some people because heat may irritate the airways and contribute to poorer air quality and higher ozone levels.
Can humidity trigger asthma?
Yes. High humidity can make the air feel more difficult to breathe and may encourage mold growth, which is a common asthma trigger.
Yes. High humidity can make the air feel more difficult to breathe and may encourage mold growth, which is a common asthma trigger.
Does air conditioning help asthma?
Air conditioning can help reduce exposure to outdoor allergens and keep indoor humidity levels lower, which may reduce asthma symptoms for some people.
Air conditioning can help reduce exposure to outdoor allergens and keep indoor humidity levels lower, which may reduce asthma symptoms for some people.
Can thunderstorms trigger asthma attacks?
In some cases, yes. Thunderstorms can break pollen into smaller particles that may be easier to inhale, increasing the risk of symptoms in sensitive individuals.
In some cases, yes. Thunderstorms can break pollen into smaller particles that may be easier to inhale, increasing the risk of symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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