Why Asthma Gets Worse in the Fall (and What to Do About It)

Many people love autumn, but for asthmatics, the fall season can be a mixed bag of good and bad. People with asthma can experience worse symptoms in the fall for many different reasons. Here are a few of the factors that make asthma worse during the autumn months.

 

  Air Becomes More Dry in the Fall

 

As the days get shorter going into fall, the air becomes cooler and drier. Although this is a welcome change in terms of comfort after the hot, humid summer, it is also a factor that can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Dry air acts as a respiratory irritant and makes both asthma and COPD worse. Though this effect of dry air is more pronounced in winter, it can also contribute to the worsening of your symptoms in the fall.

 

  Ragweed Pollen Is Being Spread

 

Just like spring, autumn is an allergy season. In the case of the fall months, ragweed pollen is the main culprit. Ragweed is distributed widely in the United States and is responsible for giving even people without asthma severe allergic reactions. If you suffer from asthma, ragweed pollen can irritate your respiratory system and make your symptoms worse. Some people even suffer from both asthma and ragweed allergies.

 

  Leaf Cleanup Is Going On

 

Fall leaf cleanup is a chore that almost all households have to deal with. If you have asthma, though, leaf cleanup can be a real problem. Fallen leaves often have mold growing on them if they’re wet, while very dry ones will produce leaf dust. In either event, leaf cleanup can worsen your asthma symptoms. It doesn’t help if you live near someone who burns leaves, as ash and smoke from fires can also trigger asthma attacks.

 

  What Can You Do?

 

If your asthma gets worse in the fall, there are several steps you can take. One major way to protect yourself is to ask or hire someone to take care of your fall lawn cleanup, since that will prevent you from being exposed to some of the worse autumn irritants. You should also try to limit your exposure to ragweed by avoiding spending too much time outdoors. If possible, try to keep a change of clothes handy so that you can quickly change when you come home. Pollen can accumulate on your clothes and shoes while you’re outside, then bother you in your home later as a result.

 

To keep yourself breathing comfortably at home, a residential air purifier is the best solution. A good air purifier can remove mold spores, ragweed pollen and even smoke and ash from leaf fires. If dry air is bothering you, a small humidifier can also be a good way to keep your symptoms under control.

 

Have questions about using air purifiers or humidifiers to keep your asthma symptoms from getting worse in the fall? We’re here to help. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and we’ll help you pick out the perfect air purification system for your needs.