7 Tips for Managing Asthma Symptoms in Winter

Chicago’s cold, billowy winter weather makes asthma challenging to control. Though some people are more sensitive to the cold than others, winter increases everyone’s risk of asthma flare-ups.

Our Michigan Avenue Primary Care team works closely with our asthma patients. We help you prepare for cold weather changes, recommend preventive treatment, and fortify your asthma management plan.

How winter affects asthma

Winter is challenging because cold air irritates your airways. Inhaling cold air causes airway swelling and tightens the muscles lining the passageways. Both activities narrow your airways, triggering an asthma attack.

The air is also drier in winter than the rest of the year. Dry air dehydrates your airways, making them tighten, reducing airflow and adding to the effect of cold air.

Cold, dry air can affect everyone with asthma. However, it may pose a more serious problem if you have exercise-induced asthma.

When breathing at a natural pace and inhaling through your nose, structures in the nose warm and humidify the air. Warm, moist air is more compatible with your lungs and less likely to trigger an asthma flare-up.

But when you exercise, you breathe faster and may inhale through your mouth instead of your nose. As a result, the air that reaches your lungs is colder and drier than usual, triggering asthma.

Seven tips to prevent winter asthma

Following these tips will lower your risk of asthma flares due to cold temperatures:

1. Wear a scarf

One of the best ways to warm the air is wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose. Though many people don’t like face masks, wearing one under your scarf adds extra warmth and humidity to the air before it reaches your lungs.

2. Avoid mouth breathing

Be aware of how you breathe when out in the cold air, especially when active. Purposefully breathe in through your nose instead of your mouth.  

3. Limit outdoor activities

Nearly everyone with asthma is sensitive to cold air, but it’s a more powerful trigger for some. Limit outdoor activities on the coldest days if you’re highly sensitive to the temperature.

4. Use room humidifiers

Being inside lets you escape the irritating cold air, but you still face a potential winter asthma trigger, and that’s dry air. Heating pulls moisture out of the air, leading to air that may be dry enough to aggravate your asthma.

If your budget allows, a whole-house humidifier is a great way to solve this problem. However, room humidifiers come in a wide range of prices and work well, too.

However, be aware that your indoor humidity level can get too high, which promotes dust mite and mold growth. The optimal humidity range is 35-50%.

5. Carry an inhaler

Always be prepared by carrying a short-acting rescue inhaler with you while outside. If cold air causes more frequent asthma flares or your symptoms worsen, schedule an appointment to revise your asthma treatment plan.

6. Prepare before going outside

Talk with your primary care provider to learn how to prepare before going outside in cold weather. For example, if you plan to enjoy winter sports, your provider may recommend pre-treating your airways by using a short-acting albuterol inhaler 15-20 minutes before exercising.

7. Revisit your indoor asthma triggers

Even if you enjoy winter sports, you’ll probably spend more time indoors than you do during warm weather. As a result, you're exposed to indoor asthma triggers like mold, dust mites, and pet dander.

Winter brings new challenges, even if you’re not bothered by traditional indoor triggers. For example, smoke from your fireplace or having a fresh Christmas tree may lead to a flare.

You can lower your risk of asthma flares by replacing filters and using HEPA filters to reduce dust and allergens in the air. It also helps to dust and vacuum more frequently and use allergen mattress covers.

Overcome winter asthma

Call Michigan Avenue Primary Care today or use online booking to schedule an appointment and learn how to manage your asthma during winter.