You may be exposed to these substances when you step into the green space or are next to flowers and plants. But you can reduce the possibility of asthma and allergy symptoms with these measures:
1- Allergy test: Most people who are at risk of a fatal asthma attack do not know that they are at risk. Allergy test can determine the risk of an asthma attack in just three minutes.
2- Get asthma under control. The best way to reduce asthma symptoms while gardening is to avoid contact with allergens. If you are taking medicine, continue taking it as prescribed by your doctor and if you do not have medicine, see your doctor. Have regular medical checkups to keep your disease under control. Carry your mouth spray just in case.
3- Allergy control: Research shows that all people with asthma who are also allergic to pollen can reduce the risk of an asthma attack by treating allergies. For this, they should use nasal steroids, antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops as prescribed by the doctor.
4- If necessary, use a mask. Wear a mask during the pollination season, when collecting seeds, and any other time when there is a possibility of triggering asthma.
Do not allow allergens to enter your respiratory system. Put on a hat, gloves, glasses, and block all ways of allergens entering your body. Before entering the house, take off your gardening clothes to prevent allergens from entering the house. As soon as you get home, wash your hands immediately and take a shower if possible.
5- Avoid gardening activities during the pollination season. Different people may be allergic to different pollens that are released in the air at different times of the year. Therefore, it is better to know which plants’ pollen bothers you the most and when these pollens are released in the air. Note that the number of pollens is usually higher in the early morning and in the evening, so it is better not to garden at these times if possible.
6- Pay attention to weather conditions. Pollen is more likely to be present in hot, dry and windy weather, so it is better not to go outside in these weather conditions. Avoid gardening right before or after a thunderstorm. The exact cause is not known yet, but in such a situation where the humidity is high, the wind blowing during a thunderstorm causes a lot of pollen and spores to be scattered in the air and divided into much smaller particles. When pollen and particles settle on the ground, the smaller pieces of pollen and spores enter the narrower airways of the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms.