AUSTIN (KXAN) — As heightened humidity levels have lingered in Central Texas over the past few weeks, so, too are exacerbated asthma symptoms for area sufferers.
Austin-area residents have been greeted by hazy skies, high humidity levels and increased heat index figures the past few weeks, and local health experts said those can all reflect in worsening symptoms for those with asthma.
“Just like dry, cold air can flare up asthma, hot, humid air can also flare up asthma,” said Dr. Hetu Parekh, a medical doctor and allergist at Austin Regional Clinic. “So we will see people who have baseline asthma have worsening symptoms, and maybe [not have] as much control as they used to have on their daily inhaler.”
Not only does the high humidity levels impact more profoundly those with asthma, but Parekh said recent rainstorms have stirred up some of the grass pollens in the region. As a result, that can lead to unseasonably rough allergy symptoms for those more sensitive to these pollens.
“If there’s a lot of rain, we do see higher grass pollens and mold spores after rain periods too,” he said.
As of Sunday — a few days after the last substantial rainfall in Austin — grass levels were low, but mold counts were in the medium threshold.
Not only are hot and humid days stressful for those with asthma, but those weather patterns tend to be when the air quality index — a measurement of the amount of pollution in the air — goes up.
Typically, Parekh said Austin is one of the bigger cities in the country that has lower AQI levels compared to other metroplexes. However, over the past few weeks, he acknowledged the Austin area’s AQI has been in the moderate to high category, meaning more fine particle air pollution is present in the air.
“If you are going out and you have asthma or something, then you may consider wearing a mask,” he said. “It’s not just the pollens that are going to get in here. It’s going to be some fine particle pollution, which can trigger symptoms.”
Those interested in monitoring local AQI levels can do so online.
For those with breathing issues or lung sensitivities, Parekh still encouraged people to go outside and get fresh air during the cooler parts of the mornings and evenings but suggested a mask can help minimize symptoms. When indoors, he recommended dehumidifiers as a way to alleviate breathing issues, as well as checking to make sure HVAC filters are clear while running air conditioning.
If asthma sufferers begin experiencing symptoms like chest tightness, wheezing and coughing and aren’t seeing improvements from their inhaler, Parekh said they need to visit their doctor to see if they need to be on a different medication or health plan.