How to prepare for a hurricane when you have asthma or allergies

It’s crucial to prepare for a hurricane well in advance, especially if you have asthma or allergies. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a more active-than-usual storm season. Alongside hurricanes, we’re dealing with the typical seasonal allergy and asthma triggers. The combination of high temperatures, humidity, and allergens like pollens and mold, as well as the effects of wildfires and thunderstorms, can all cause or worsen asthma and allergy symptoms.  

Do hurricanes make asthma worse?

A hurricane’s weather conditions can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. Here’s how:

• Humidity. Increased moisture in the air causes high humidity, a known asthma trigger.
• Thunderstorms. Thunderstorm asthma is a strange phenomenon.  According to the American Lung Association, pollen and mold spores are swept into the clouds. There, wind, humidity, and even lighting break the pollen and spores into smaller particles that are easier to breathe deep into the lungs.
• Wind gusts. Strong wind redistributes the highly concentrated pollens and mold spores during the storm. 
• Rain. If your home leaks during a hard rain, it can cause mold. Mold can cause an allergic reaction or irritate your lungs. Mold can also be left behind after flooding subsides.
• Stress. Preparing for staying or evacuating for a hurricane can be stressful. Stress can trigger an asthma attack. 

Prepare for the hurricane with your doctor

Luckily, we get a few days’ notice to prepare for staying or evacuating, which is usually stressful. If you prepare sooner than later, you will help reduce your stress. Consider seeing your asthma or allergy specialist to discuss how to manage your conditions during and after the storm: 

• Bring your medicines, supplements, and over-the-counter treatments to your doctor. Check for expiration dates, renew prescriptions, and discuss which medications to take and when to take them. If you usually use a nebulizer, ask for a back-up inhaler in case you can’t access the device.
• Stay current on vaccines. If you end up in a crowded shelter, you’ll want to be protected from infections like flu, Covid, and pneumonia. 
• Update your Asthma Action Plan. Discuss the steps to take if your symptoms increase and when you should seek emergency care.
• Take your medications as directed by your doctor.

Stay safe during a hurricane

I have one room in my house that I call my “breathe easy” space. This room does triple duty as my office, spare bedroom, and asthma-friendly haven. I stay in this room when the air quality is low, allergens and asthma triggers are high, during storms and wildfires. 

Here’s how I keep my room as trigger-free as possible:

• Dehumidifier. Because I live in a humid climate, I use a dehumidifier daily. Dehumidifiers remove extra moisture from the air, encouraging the growth of dust mites and mold spores. Ideally, the humidity in your home should be under 50%. You can measure the humidity levels in your home using a simple hygrometer, which can be found at home improvement stores or online.
• My personal air filter, the portable Wear A+ from Respiray, and charger. I use my Wear A+ almost daily. It’s an innovative wearable air purifier with a HEPA filter that purifies the air I breathe through my mouth and nose. It fits comfortably around my neck and is quiet enough to wear during phone and video calls during work.
• Air purifier. My air purifier is not large enough to clean the air in my entire house, so I use it in this one room. It has a HEPA filter, so it removes dust, pollen, and pet dander. Air purifiers are slow, so they must run continually to be effective.  
• Vacuum and dust at least once a week. I use a HEPA filter vacuum at least once a week. I also damp dust with a microfiber cloth. Damp dusting keeps the allergens from getting airborne and redistributing around the room when cleaning. 
• Allergen spray. If you have a pet that triggers your asthma or allergies, it’s best to keep the pet out of your room. However, I like having my dog with me, especially during storms. I use my Wear A+ and spray the room with an allergen spray to reduce the pet dander and other allergens.
• Scent-free zone. No fragrances are allowed in the room; no scented candles, personal care products, or cleaning products. The same goes for the bathroom attached to the room.
• Seal windows and air vents. On extremely hot, cold, or bad air days, I cover the windows with plastic and secure it with duct tape. This helps maintain a comfortable temperature in the room and keeps unhealthy air and moisture from sneaking into my home. You can do the same with air vents. 

Preparing an emergency to-go kit

You may need to evacuate your home during or after a hurricane or any other natural disaster. If you need to leave quickly, have a pre-packed bag to ensure you don’t forget any medications or treatments. Some items to include in your bag:

• Asthma and allergy medications, enough for at least two weeks,
• Treatments like nasal rinses or supplements,
• Any medical devices you may use, like a peak flow meter, a pulse oximeter, and a nebulizer.
• A copy of your Asthma Action Plan, with the phone numbers for your doctors.
• A mask, preferably an N-95 mask.
• Plenty of water. 
• The Wear A+ is going to be an important part of your emergency kit. Rigorous testing by SGS, a global leader in testing and certification, certifies the HEPA filter’s reliability in capturing 99.9% of airborne particles such as allergens, viruses, and pollutants. This will be a big help if you end up in a crowded evacuation center. Remember to bring it’s charger

After the storm

Hopefully, hurricanes will come and go, leaving little damage. Often, they cause flooding and damage that needs to cleaned. 

• If you have asthma, try and avoid entering any structures that are currently flooded, or have been flooded. If there’s flooding, there’s more than likely mold. Flood waters can also contain sewage and bacteria.
• If you need to enter a flooded space, wear an N95 mask or respirator, tall rain boots, gloves, eye protection, and your Wear A+. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a helpful guide on how to safely clean after flooding. 

Hurricane season can feel unsettling, especially when living with chronic conditions like asthma and allergies. With a little thoughtful planning, we can better prepare for upcoming storms.