Seasonal Allergies and Asthma: What Philadelphia Residents Should Watch For During Outdoor Workouts

While many of us look forward to spending time outside in the summer months, this time of year can be especially challenging for patients with seasonal allergies and asthma. Global warming is contributing to warmer temperatures, longer pollen seasons, and higher ozone pollution.

In this post, we’ll discuss several of the factors that may impact patients with seasonal allergies and asthma who wish to workout outdoors:

1. Pollen - Spring pollen including tree and grass pollen can affect patients’ allergies in the Delaware valley from March into early July. Fall pollen can also affect patients’ allergies beginning in August through early November.
2. Mold spores - Mold spores are also at increased levels in warmer and more humid weather.
3. Ozone pollution - Ozone pollution is created when precursor gases including nitrous oxide and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight and heat, thereby being at highest levels in the summertime.
4. Weather/humidity - Warmer temperatures and humidity through the summertime can be irritating to the airways in the lung and flare asthma symptoms. Thunderstorms can also stir up pollen and mold spores thereby contributing to increased allergy and asthma symptoms as well. Be sure to check the air quality index in your area before exercising outdoors.
5. Smoke - Smoke from campfires, fire pits, barbecues, grills, and fireworks can also act as irritants for the airways in the lung and flare asthma symptoms.
6. Chlorine - Chlorine is used to disinfect pools and keep water safe for swimming, but it is chemical that is noxious when inhaled and also irritating for the airways in the lungs.

Seasonal Allergy and Asthma Tips:

• Check pollen counts in your area before deciding to workout outdoors vs. indoors. A great resource is the National Allergy Bureau website: http://pollen.aaaai.org
• Avoid working out on windy and dry days, when pollen counts may be higher
• Early morning workouts are optimal as pollen counts typically rise throughout the course of the day
• Take a shower and change clothes after being outdoors for prolonged periods of time, as pollen can collect on hair, skin and on clothing and be tracked indoors
• Don’t stop medications you’ve been recommended to take for your allergies and asthma unless otherwise discussed with your allergist
• Asthma patients can use their short-acting reliever inhalers 15 minutes prior to exercise outdoors
• Wear hats and sunglasses, which may reduce pollen exposure to your hair and eyes
• Avoid exposure to irritants such as smoke or heavily chlorinated pools, especially in poorly ventilated areas, if these trigger your asthma symptoms
• Consider modifying the length and types of workouts outdoors. Shorter duration workouts and switching from high intensity cardiovascular exercise such as running to weight training/resistance exercises may be helpful to reduce further stress on your body during peak summer months

When to See an Allergist:

If you’re struggling with flares of allergies or asthma, we’re here to help. At ENT & Allergy Associates, our board-certified allergists, like Dr. Patel, are ready to navigate your allergy & asthma care needs through the summertime and beyond. They specialize in getting to the root of your symptoms and providing customized treatment options to help you feel better.

In our Willow Grove, Richboro, and Northeast Philadelphia offices, our allergy & asthma specialists have been serving our communities throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties including Willow Grove, Dresher, Ambler, Jenkintown, Abington, Richboro, Jamison, Southampton, Bensalem, Langhorne, Yardley, Newtown, Chalfont, Warrington, Warminster, Doylestown, Lansdale, Montgomeryville, North Wales and Northeast Philadelphia.