An urgent warning to anybody with asthma has been issued ahead of Bonfire Night celebrations this weekend.
There will be a lot of firework around the country this weekend as lots of us head out to enjoy Guy Fawkes displays.
However, celebrations could be cut short for some as fireworks and bonfires can spark terrible reactions for asthma sufferers.
Particles of smoke caused by fireworks and bonfires could trigger symptoms in 3million asthma sufferers - making it hard for them to breathe.
The smoke particles can impact a person's airways, causing them to tighten. This means that reactions could even be fatal in some cases.
Coughing and wheezing could result in a dangerous asthma attack.
A huge 5.4million people across the UK receive treatment for asthma - that is around one in every 12 adults.
Figures show that more than 7,600 people in November 2018 in the UK were admitted to hospital as an emergency with asthma.
Three people in the UK die from asthma attacks every day, according the Asthma UK.
Asthma UK says the number of asthma admissions are likely to be due result of cold weather, cold and flu and air pollution, such as that caused by bonfire night, as they are among the most common triggers for asthma attacks.
Asthma suffers often experience symptoms in different ways, meaning not everyone with asthma will be impacted over the weekend. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers.
Advice for people with asthma attending bonfires or firework displays
- Stand well back from the bonfire or fireworks
- Make sure to have you blue inhaler on hand
- Move away and get some fresh air if you start to feel breathless
- Make sure your friends and family know what to do if your asthma symptoms suddenly become worse
- Cold air can also trigger symptoms so wrap a scarf loosely around your mouth and nose to warm the air before you breath it in
- Always take any preventative prescribed medications such as brown inhaler
Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma UK and a practicing GP, said: “Fireworks and bonfire displays might look pretty but if you have asthma triggered by smoke, they could land you in hospital.
"While many people will be looking forward to watching firework displays, the increased levels of soot in the air can get into people’s airways and trigger asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath or even an asthma attack.
“The good news is if people with asthma follow our top tips such as taking their preventer inhaler (usually brown) as prescribed, keeping their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them in case of emergencies and making sure their family and friends know what to do if they have an asthma attack, they should not have to miss out on festivities. "
For more information visit asthma.org.uk/bonfire-night.
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