Asthma flares- what helps you?

[coffeelover9]

Up until recently I have had mild asthma so much so that sometimes I would stop taking preventer (naughty) and the use it when i had a cold / hayfever.

Past few months it is really flaring up, so have been good about my preventer but wasn't working so went to see asthma nurse. She said I could go up my preventer dose or prescribe a combi inhaler so i gave upping a dose a try and tbh hadn't much improved my asthma. I have contacted my nurse about switching to combi.

I am well aware that lifestyle can reduce inflammation so other than meds what do you find helps you?

I am an 'allergic' person. Hayfever, mollusc shellfish allergy (being sick and stomach pains not anaphylactic), some pets (if I am not around that pet a lot), had eczema as a child but thankfully outgrew it.

I had some bevvies at the weekend. Not a heavy drinker usually and my asthma flared up following that.

We live in an old house where some low traffic areas get mould and I try to keep on top of that.

Our cleaner's spray sets me off as it is VERY strong fragrance so asked them to switch to fragrance free. My asthma is SO sensitive atm! It didn't used to be. It is getting me a bit down as I suddenly feel I am being high maintenance as a lot is setting me off.

Please share what you find helps alongside medication.

You sound like me ! I really need help with wanting to fly ? But so worried as everyone sprays purfume in the duty free !! I bloody hate this condition … never had as a child only skin condition….. any advice too ❤️

Day to day - an antihistamine every day and avoiding fragrance like the plague. It is totally OK at work to ask for fragrance reduction as a reasonable adjustment - people do not need to have reed diffusers everywhere if it is causing a colleague asthma.

I find using a combi inhaler on a MART regime much better and can stall some flares, for example every time I have a cold I used to need steroids.

Having said that, if it isn't settling then I go and get the steroids early. There is no point me waiting it out and hoping it will get better, it just doesn't.

Finally have a think about where you go on holiday. I used to come back from every holiday with an asthma attack - Amsterdam was dreadful, Venice not much better. I now check where I am going for pollution and avoid anywhere with cruise ships/a lot of diesel. Some places are now off the holiday list but never mind, there are loads of other places.