Five expert tips to tame fall asthma flare-ups

Asthma attacks can strike at any time of the year. But the most frequent flare-ups seem to occur in the fall, says Stanley Fineman, M.D., a retired allergist in Metro Atlanta and past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). “We see more [asthma-related] hospital and emergency room visits in October and November than any other time of year,” he explains.

But with the right knowledge and tools, you can go about your daily routine during the autumn months free of flare-ups, Dr. Fineman says. Here are five ways to keep your asthma under control this fall. 

1. Learn what can trigger your asthma  

Many people don’t realize that allergies can trigger an asthma attack. Pollen and mold are two of the biggest allergen offenders in the fall. But don’t just self-treat seasonal allergies. Ask a doctor the following questions:

• Should I be screened for allergies?
• If so, what precautions should I take if I have a dual diagnosis?
• What do I need to know about medication?

Uncontrolled asthma can be deadly. So, it’s important that you understand maintenance medication and whether that’s the best way to treat your allergies. You can find more helpful information about asthma and allergies on the ACAAI website.

2. Protect yourself while outside

Fallen leaves are a breeding ground for mold and a haven for pollen. Raking stirs up both and releases them into the air, so it may help to wear a mask when doing any kind of yard work. The ACAAI recommends a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health–approved N95 particulate filtering mask. You can find a list of suppliers on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Other habits that can help: removing your shoes when you come back inside and showering before bed, as recommended by the American Lung Association.

3. Change up your workout

Being physically active, especially outside, can do wonders for your health. However, exercising in the cold, dry air of autumn can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and a sore throat.

Decreased endurance and an upset stomach during workouts may also be sneaky signs of asthma. Warm, humidified air is less likely to trigger asthma, so swimming is a great choice for people who have this condition, says Dr. Fineman. If you must be outside, wear a scarf or face mask that covers your nose and mouth; this will warm and moisten the air before it reaches your lungs.

4. Get vaccinated and wash your hands

“Cold and flu viruses clearly trigger asthma,” says Dr. Fineman. People should get an annual flu shot if they’re able to.  

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from the flu virus and related complications, says Michael Jhung, M.D., associate director for epidemiologic science in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Division. Dr. Jhung’s advice is to get vaccinated in September or October before the virus starts spreading in your community. Protection kicks in about two weeks after getting the shot. If you miss that window, you should still get vaccinated. Flu season stretches through the spring, so you’ll want the protection.

Another smart tip: Ask about the “senior flu shot.” These flu shots, for people ages 65 and older, contain either a higher dose or an extra ingredient to help weakened immune systems mount a stronger response to the vaccine. Your doctor can help you decide if either of these three options is right for you:

• High-dose flu vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) contains four times the amount of flu virus antigen. That’s the part that sparks the immune system.
• Recombinant flu vaccine (Flublok Trivalent) does not use the flu virus or chicken eggs in the manufacturing process.
• Adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad) contains an adjuvant, an ingredient added to the vaccine to help create a stronger immune response.  

If you get one of these shots, you may experience mild side effects, such as headache, muscle aches, or redness or swelling at the injection site. These usually resolve within one to three days.

People with asthma should also get vaccinated against pneumonia, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), regardless of their age. These illnesses can be more serious for individuals with asthma.

Another reason to roll up those sleeves? To wash your hands. Do it often, with soap, for a minimum of 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when you can’t get to the sink.

5. Know your work and school plan

If you are a parent, caregiver, grandparent, or generally around children, it’s important to understand how classrooms bring extra challenges for kids with asthma, including wayward cold germs. Chalk dust, dander from class pets, and pollen and mold wafting in through open windows can all pose problems. Ask a doctor to talk with your child about his or her triggers and how to avoid them. Also, learn what school staff should know and whether you should provide the nurse with a quick-relief inhaler and/or epinephrine pen.

Adults with asthma should also ask their care provider about rescue medicines and let one or two coworkers know what to do if they have an episode while on the job. If you have asthma, it’s important for your coworkers to know the following:

• The name of your inhaler
• What your inhaler looks like  
• The location of your rescue medication and inhaler
• An emergency contact for you
• Top triggers to your asthma

Be sure to label any rescue medicine with red tape so that it’s easy for coworkers to find. And with this information, they can also assist with removing potential triggers from your surroundings.