Asthma and Allergies During Smog Season: How to Stay Safe

What is Smog? 

Smog is a form of severe, visible air pollution, presenting as a thick, gray-brown haze that reduces visibility. The term itself combines "smoke" and "fog." This toxic mixture is formed when pollutants react with sunlight, but it is primarily composed of harmful gases and fine particulate matter.

Smog's primary components include fine particulate matter (known as PM2.5 and PM10), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants originate from consistent year-round sources such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and construction dust.

This baseline pollution is then severely amplified during specific seasons, particularly post-monsoon and in the early winter. Two major factors contribute to this seasonal crisis: the large-scale agricultural burning of crop residue (stubble burning) in northern states and the concentrated smoke from festival fireworks, such as during Diwali.

Meteorological conditions in these months, including lower temperatures and decreased wind speed, prevent these pollutants from dispersing. This traps the toxic air close to the ground, creating a stagnant blanket of smog that hangs over many cities for days or weeks at a time.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, or bronchial tubes. This inflammation causes the lining of the airways to swell and, in many cases, to produce excess mucus. Concurrently, the muscles surrounding these airways can tighten, a process known as bronchoconstriction. 

This combined reaction significantly restricts airflow, leading to recurring symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. People with asthma have sensitive airways that can react to various environmental triggers, which can worsen these symptoms and lead to an "asthma attack."

How Smog Connects Asthma and Allergies

Smog is not just a passive blanket of dirty air; it is an active agitator for both the immune system and the respiratory tract. Its components create a dangerous synergy that triggers and worsens asthma and allergies.

The primary danger comes from fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These microscopic particles are small enough to bypass the body's natural defenses in the nose and upper airways, penetrating deep into the lungs. Once there, they lodge in the bronchial tubes and act as a direct physical irritant. This irritation causes immediate inflammation and swelling in the airway lining, which is already sensitive in a person with asthma.

Furthermore, these particles intensify allergic reactions. Pollutants in smog can bind with common airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mold spores. This combination allows the allergens to be carried deeper into the lungs than they would normally travel, provoking a more severe inflammatory response from the body.

This repeated exposure to pollutants makes the airways "hyper-reactive." This heightened sensitivity means that the lungs are primed to overreact. As a result, other, milder triggers—such as a change in temperature, cold air, or even minor dust—can be enough to set off a significant asthma attack.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

It is critical to monitor for symptoms that indicate the pollution is actively affecting your respiratory health.

• Increased Asthma Symptoms: A noticeable increase in persistent coughing (especially at night), audible wheezing, chest tightness, or feeling short of breath during simple activities.
• Frequent Rescue Inhaler Use: Needing to use your short-term rescue inhaler (bronchodilator) more often than your normal baseline, such as more than two times per week.
• New or Worsening Allergy Symptoms: The onset or aggravation of symptoms like a runny nose, persistent sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and a scratchy or irritated throat.
• General Pollution-Related Symptoms: Experiencing headaches, unusual fatigue, dizziness, or a dry, irritating cough that is not productive.

How to Prepare and Stay Safe During Smog Season

• Consult Your Doctor: Work with your physician to create or update a personalized Asthma Action Plan. This plan is your guide on which daily medications to take, how to spot worsening symptoms, and what steps to take in an emergency.
• Check Your Medications: Before the smog season begins, ensure all your prescriptions (both long-term controller inhalers and short-term rescue inhalers) are filled and are not expired.
• Monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI): Check the local AQI forecast daily. Use this information to plan your schedule. On days classified as "Poor," "Very Poor," or "Severe," limit your time outdoors as much as possible.
• Avoid Outdoor Exercise: Do not perform strenuous outdoor exercise like running, jogging, or playing sports on high-pollution days. This causes you to breathe more deeply and rapidly, pulling harmful pollutants further into your lungs.
• Wear the Correct Mask: If you must go outside on a high-smog day, a cloth or surgical mask is not effective. You must wear a well-fitted N95 or N99 mask, which is designed to filter out fine PM2.5 particles.
• Time Your Outings: If travel is necessary, try to avoid peak traffic hours. Pollution levels are often highest during a heavy commute, in addition to the early morning and late evening when smog can settle.

Managing Your Indoor Environment

• Keep Pollutants Out: Keep windows and doors closed, especially during peak pollution hours in the early morning and late evening, to prevent smog from entering your home.
• Use Air Purifiers: Run an air purifier equipped with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. This type of filter is essential as it is specifically designed to trap fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the air.
• Control Indoor Pollutants: Do not add to the pollution load indoors. This means strictly avoiding smoking, burning incense sticks (agarbattis) or mosquito coils, and limiting the use of harsh chemical cleaning sprays, air fresheners, or paint.
• Clean Effectively: When cleaning, use a damp cloth or mop to wipe down surfaces and clean floors. This traps dust and other particles. Avoid dry sweeping or dusting, which can kick settled irritants back into the air.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

An asthma attack triggered by smog can become a medical emergency. Go to the nearest hospital immediately if you or someone else experiences any of the following:

• Severe shortness of breath, a feeling of suffocation, or gasping for air.
• The rescue inhaler (blue inhaler) provides no relief, or the relief lasts for less than four hours.
• Difficulty speaking in complete sentences without stopping for breath.
• A blue or gray tint on the lips, fingertips, or fingernails.
• Feelings of severe drowsiness, confusion, or dizziness.

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Better Health Across Gujarat

At Sterling Hospital, we provide the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier life. We've got you covered if you are looking for the best pulmonologist in Vadodara, Rajkot, or  Gandhidham. 

Our pulmonary department is built with a team of the best pulmonologists in these regions to provide premium treatment and the best results. Contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a healthier future.