Weather Changes Linked to Asthma Flare-ups in Children   Frank Barnhill M.D.
 

The September issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology includes discussion of a 2-year study that shows a strong relationship between fluctuations in temperature and humidity and flare-ups of childhood asthma. Apparently the key finding in this study of children seen for acute asthma in a large-city hospital emergency room between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005, was that asthma flare-up were statistically more common in kids exposed to abrupt changes in temperature and humidity during the 5-day period prior to onset of symptoms.

Family physicians who provide medical care for children, have long known that weather conditions can adversely affect kids with allergies and asthma. The National Institutes of Health guidelines now includes “change in weather” as a trigger for asthma fares.

Changes in weather that might cause asthma flares include sudden or extended:

Rain or dramatic increase in humidity

Dry conditions and abrupt lack of humidity

Windy conditions including hurricanes and tornados

According to the study, barometric pressure changes did not appear to cause asthma flare-ups. Many parents have thought their child suffered an asthma attack because of changing altitude and elevations during trips from the beach to the mountain. It appears such is not the case in most childhood asthma flares, if there were no dramatic changes in humidity or temperature during the 5-day period before and during travel.

So, what should a parent do to prevent asthma attacks occurring in the absence of infection or exposure to a known allergy inducing substance?

Our advice is simple, even though your child’s prevention plan will be complex and should be individualized for your child with allergies and asthma.

1. Plan your child’s travel, appropriate dress, exposure to the elements, and use of preventative medications based on the extended weather forecast. In times of excessive humidity, use dehumidifiers throughout the house. When the environment is going to be excessively dry for more than 2 days, start up the old humidifiers. Use meters to watch the indoor humidity and determine which level is best for your son’s or daughter’s respiratory health.
2. Avoid traveling into areas that will or are experiencing sudden or prolonged weather changes. If you must travel into areas of drought or excessive rain or moisture take your humidifier or dehumidifier with you. 
3. Do not skip your child’s allergy or asthma medications during the week before travel and of course during the period you are away from home. Always carry extra medicines on long trips!
4. When you run into unforeseen changes in weather, immediately start pre-treating your asthmatic child just like you would if he or she were about to engage in an athletic competition. Be sure to follow your child’s doctor’s instructions when doing so, because excessive use of inhalers might cause rapid heart rates, nausea, vomiting, and even make an asthma attack worse!
5. Be sure to keep immunizations up to date, especially flu and pneumonia vaccines!!

Hope you and your asthmatic child have a great fall and winter. 

Dr. Frank

Reference:

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009;103:220-224.

Accessed Medscape. September 24, 2009.

drhuggiebear, drhuggiebear.com and contained materials are the copyrighted and/or registered properties of Frank Barnhill, M.D. and may not be reproduced for profit without the express written permission of the author.  All materials may be photocopied in whole for educational use.  For information please contact us at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com.