How to Manage Your Asthma During Summer Vacations

Summer vacations are fun — unless you have asthma that gets out of control this time of year! No one wants to struggle with breathing when they’re trying to enjoy the outdoors or relax in warm weather. Asthma symptoms and shortness of breath definitely can get in the way of fully enjoying your summer break.

And summer vacation can often be a time when people let their asthma management slip. Uncontrolled asthma leaves you more vulnerable to flare-ups and asthma attacks that could require a trip to the emergency room, which is definitely not a disruption you want in your summer vacation.

Let Dr. Erick Madrigal and the team of family medicine providers at Living Water Community Health & Wellness Clinic give you the information you need about summer asthma management. We provide ongoing support to adult and pediatric patients with asthma from our locations in Porterville, Lindsay, Woodlake, and Visalia, California.

Why asthma is a problem in the summer

Multiple factors make asthma flare-ups especially likely in the summer months. When you have all the information, you can take steps to prevent asthma problems from ruining your summer fun both at home and when you’re away.

Asthma triggers in the summer season

Asthma attacks often relate to specific triggers that cause respiratory distress. Many familiar asthma triggers become more common or likely in the summertime. These include:

• Athletic or physical activity
• Air pollution
• Hot, humid weather
• Pollen and other seasonal allergens
• Chlorine
• Campfire smoke

All of these triggers can set off an asthma attack. If you’re traveling, keep in mind that the very dry air on planes or dust mites and mold that could be trapped in the seats or carpeting on public transportation can also trigger an asthma flare-up.

Summer routine changes

Summer can cause problems for people with asthma if they change their daily routine. Research shows that stopping your asthma treatment plan in the summer, or not sticking to your regular asthma action plan, may set you up for more serious asthma flare-ups later in the year.

If you or your child use medications to manage asthma, it’s important to ensure that summer routine changes don’t interfere with taking medications as scheduled. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends paying extra attention to making sure that children and adults take all prescribed asthma medications regularly throughout the summer season.

Tips for summer asthma management

If you have asthma, do you need to skip summer vacation? No! But you might need to take extra steps or precautions in order to keep your asthma under control. Here are some actions that can make all the difference for your summer vacation.

1. Keep up with medication management

Your provider at Living Water Clinic works with you to create your personalized asthma management plan. During the summer, keep up with your asthma treatment routine, including all prescribed medications. 

You may need to pre-medicate before facing triggers that arise with outdoor activities or on poor air quality days. If you’re traveling, keep your quick-relief inhaler with you at all times.

2. Avoid or reduce exposure to outdoor triggers

When it comes to handling outdoor asthma triggers, information and planning ahead is key. Check weather forecasts for information about air quality and pollen levels. When elevated air pollution or pollen are forecast, set up an alternative plan for that day that doesn’t involve extended, vigorous outdoor activity.

3. Communicate your asthma management plan 

Make sure others know about your asthma management needs. This is especially true for children with asthma. Letting your child’s coach or camp counselor know about their care needs can make all the difference when it comes to preventing asthma attacks.

Our primary care team at Living Water Community Health & Wellness Clinic supports you in putting together a customized asthma action plan to keep you breathing easy all through the summer season and beyond. Contact us online or over the phone to schedule your appointment today.