Asthma sufferers are being warned that a harmful combination of weather factors may cause serious respiratory problems, called 'thunder fever'.
Thunderstorms combined with very high pollen counts can be a big risk to those chest problems.
The warming temperatures we are expected to exprience in the coming weeks combined with potential thunderstorms could cause the phenomenon where pollen is absorbed and spread rapidly in the conditions.
Winds scatter the fine particles where they can easily be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and irritation and potentially causing an asthma attack.
It can potentially be fatal to the most vulnerable respiratory conditions and advice is those with asthma should perhaps stay indoors during thunderstorms.
It has been found acute outbreaks of asthma and a surge in A&E visits at hospitals have happened after this combination of weather effects.
How so how can you minimise the effects if there is a thunder fever storm?
How to minimise the effects of thunder fever
- Wear sunglasses to stop the pollen getting into your eyes
- Keep doors and windows closed when at home and overnight. Most pollen is released in the mornings and tends to fall to ground level in the evenings
- Keep car windows closed and fit a pollen filter
- Avoid drying your clothes outside when pollen levels are high. If you do, shake the items before bringing them inside or wearing them
- Vacuum regularly and avoid bring fresh flowers indoors
- Brush pets if they have been outside as they can bring pollen inside on their fur
- Shower and wash your hair if you have been outside
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Asthma UK estimates 3.3 million Britons had their asthma triggered by pollen.
Thunderstorms can trigger asthma attacks in people with asthma, especially children and young adults. It's not fully understood why this happens.
One reason could be that when it's very humid, the windy conditions during a thunderstorm blow lots of pollen and mould spores high into the air.
The moisture higher up in the air breaks them into much smaller pieces.
As these smaller pieces of pollen and mould particles then settle back down, they can be breathed in, irritating the smaller airways of the lungs. This can trigger asthma symptoms.
