After a long chilly winter, most people look forward to the warmer temperatures and budding flowers that come with Spring. Unfortunately, for asthma sufferers, the drifting pollen that accompanies warmer weather can seriously take its toll. Asthma can difficult to manage during the Spring allergy season, but it isn’t impossible. Here are a few things you can do to help you get through the worst of it.

Be Ready

Like the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Before allergy and asthma season hits your area in full force, talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent an asthma attack. If you have a rescue inhaler, be sure to carry it with you everywhere you go, even if you think you won’t need it. It is always better to have and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Also, if you suffer from severe asthma, make sure you have your peak flow meter as well as your rescue inhaler. A handheld device that measures the user’s air flow, a peak flow meter is often provided to an asthma sufferer as part of their individual care plan.

Develop a Plan

Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This is true when it comes to treating your asthma. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that every asthma sufferer has a fully documented asthma plan. Developed with the help of your doctor, an asthma plan documents your personal strategy for managing your asthma. A good plan will include benchmarks such as the patient’s optimum peak flow meter levels and a list of all medications and their dosages.

Your asthma plan should include instructions for what to do if you find yourself in breathing distress and direction on when to seek emergency care. The plan is designed to be used as a guide for your family and health care providers should you be unable to communicate or help yourself.

Limit Exposure to Your Triggers

While what brings on an asthma attack may vary person to person, there are some common triggers. These triggers include dust mites, tobacco smoke, pet dander, mold, air pollution, and pollen. Knowing what triggers your asthma and then controlling your exposure to these substances is the key to managing your asthma.

During asthma and allergy season, when pollen counts are high, remove your coat and shoes before entering your home to help keep from tracking in pollen from outside.

To control dust mites, change your bedsheets at least once a week.

Exposure to the flu or the common cold can lead to the development of severe respiratory issues for asthmatics. To help prevent the spread of cold and flu, practice good personal hygiene such as washing your hands frequently. Also, speak with your doctor about getting the flu vaccine for the best prevention.

Another effective way to help fight pollutants and allergens in your home environment is to invest in a high-performance air purifier. Austin Air’s HealthMate model is widely recognized as the best air purifier for removing asthma triggers from indoor air. The Austin HealthMate HM400 provides medical-grade air purification that removes even the tiniest pollution particles.

Getting through asthma and allergy season can be a challenging task, but it isn’t impossible. A little preparation can go a long way in helping asthmatics and their families worry less and enjoy the warmer weather.