What is thunderstorm asthma?
Thunderstorm asthma is asthma that is triggered by a particular type of thunderstorm when there is high amounts of grass pollen in the air (typically between October and end December). It can result in people wheezing, feeling short of breath, and tight in the chest with coughing. This can be sudden, serious, and even life threatening.
You are at risk of thunderstorm asthma if you:
- have asthma (or have had asthma in the past)
- have hay fever (allergy affecting the nose) during Spring.
If you feel short of breath, tight in the chest, wheeze or cough during pollen season – you might have undiagnosed asthma.