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At the moment pollen counts are high & lots of people are reporting terrible #hayfever
If this is you - then this post may be useful.
This thread is about #thunderstorms & specifically a v.v. rare but serious phenomenon called #thunderstorm asthma.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-658695…
At the moment pollen counts are high & lots of people are reporting terrible #hayfever
If this is you - then this post may be useful.
This thread is about #thunderstorms & specifically a v.v. rare but serious phenomenon called #thunderstorm asthma.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-658695…
2/
Normally pollen is too large to enter the lungs, but when a thunderstorm is brewing, updrafts of air can lift whole pollen grains up into the clouds. When exposed to moisture, these grains rupture into tiny pieces and this makes them highly allergenic.
Normally pollen is too large to enter the lungs, but when a thunderstorm is brewing, updrafts of air can lift whole pollen grains up into the clouds. When exposed to moisture, these grains rupture into tiny pieces and this makes them highly allergenic.
3/
Windy downdrafts then carry these fragments to ground level, resulting in a “pollen shower” & people can inhale the minute fragments deep into their lungs.
If you have hay fever then this can trigger an asthma attack - even if you don't have asthma.
Windy downdrafts then carry these fragments to ground level, resulting in a “pollen shower” & people can inhale the minute fragments deep into their lungs.
If you have hay fever then this can trigger an asthma attack - even if you don't have asthma.
4/
Not every thunderstorm causes thunderstorm asthma even if pollen counts are high. A number of factors need to come together.
In fact serious outbreaks are v.rare.
But it is worth knowing about it nonetheless.
If a thunderstorm is forecast, take the following simple steps:
Not every thunderstorm causes thunderstorm asthma even if pollen counts are high. A number of factors need to come together.
In fact serious outbreaks are v.rare.
But it is worth knowing about it nonetheless.
If a thunderstorm is forecast, take the following simple steps:
5/
Remain indoors with windows closed before & during & just after a thunderstorm
If you have to go outside, wear a mask to avoid inhaling pollen fragments. I tell my pats to carry a mask in case they get caught out.
Antihistamines may help (& won't harm) but this is debatable
Remain indoors with windows closed before & during & just after a thunderstorm
If you have to go outside, wear a mask to avoid inhaling pollen fragments. I tell my pats to carry a mask in case they get caught out.
Antihistamines may help (& won't harm) but this is debatable
6/
If you develop a severe asthma attack & have an asthma reliever:
Take 4 puffs of your reliever & wait 4 mins.
If no improvement take 4 more puffs & wait 4 mins.
If no improvement, 999 & take 4 more puffs of your reliever every 4 mins until help arrives (Asthma Australia)
If you develop a severe asthma attack & have an asthma reliever:
Take 4 puffs of your reliever & wait 4 mins.
If no improvement take 4 more puffs & wait 4 mins.
If no improvement, 999 & take 4 more puffs of your reliever every 4 mins until help arrives (Asthma Australia)
7/
If you have asthma make sure it is well controlled going into the pollen season & you are taking your preventer inhalers & you have your reliever inhaler with you when going out.
If you have asthma make sure it is well controlled going into the pollen season & you are taking your preventer inhalers & you have your reliever inhaler with you when going out.
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A few years ago the brilliant @DrLindaDykes (worth a follow) & myself put together an infographic about #thunderstorm #asthma for healthcare professionals & patients.
A few years ago the brilliant @DrLindaDykes (worth a follow) & myself put together an infographic about #thunderstorm #asthma for healthcare professionals & patients.
9/
If you want to know more about thunderstorm & seasonal asthma, hay fever, food allergy, allergy prevention, anaphylaxis - or know someone with allergies - then this is a brilliant book😉
Easy to read, it's full of practical tips & had great reviews!
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/024…
If you want to know more about thunderstorm & seasonal asthma, hay fever, food allergy, allergy prevention, anaphylaxis - or know someone with allergies - then this is a brilliant book😉
Easy to read, it's full of practical tips & had great reviews!
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/024…
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