Get Ready for Poor Air Quality, Allergy and Asthma Flare-ups

Reviewed by Dr. Victor Marchione, MD.
Written by Mohan Garikiparithi
Published on

A haboob approaching the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan. A haboob is a type of intense dust storm carried on wind that occur regularly in Sudan. Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan, located at the confluence of the White Nile, flowing north from Lake Victoria in Uganda, and the Blue Nile, flowing west from Ethiopia. Khartoum is composed of 3 cities: Khartoum proper, Khartoum North and Omdurman.If you’ve got asthma or allergies and are trying to navigate through the COVID-19 epidemic, things might get a little more difficult in the coming days. A significant dust plume is traveling across the Atlantic Ocean and is estimated to reach the U.S. Gulf Coast soon.

Although it happens a few times a year, this dust plume is especially large. It originated over the Sahara Desert in North Africa and has been heading west. As of this writing, it is over the Caribbean region.

The plume can make it hard to breathe for everybody, but those with respiratory conditions or allergies will have the most significant challenges.

Tiny dust particles in the plume will likely lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation plus difficulty breathing. Combined with air pollution, other allergens, and COVID-19, this can be a very concerning and stressful situation.

If you notice your allergies acting up or asthma symptoms flaring in the coming days, do not panic. It might make sense to stay indoors, if possible, to minimize the effects of the dust plume and exposure to COVID-19.

When staying indoors isn’t an option, there are few other things you can do to prepare yourself.

One of the first things to do is to follow the weather. Use resources that report air quality so you can determine if it is safe for you to go outside. When you do go out, wear a face mask (something you should be used to during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Continue along with your current symptom management techniques and do your best to stay calm. Panic and stress can increase asthma symptoms, making them more severe and much harder to manage.

Trying to limit inflammation might help manage symptoms. You should also reduce your intake of inflammatory foods and include more anti-inflammatory foods. Avoiding items that cause an allergic reaction is essential, but fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats are recommended.

Avoiding allergies and asthma symptoms can be difficult and stressful under normal conditions. A dust plume and epidemic attacking the respiratory system doesn’t make it any easier. Do your best to limit exposure to these conditions and try to stay safe.


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On any matter relating to your health or well-being, please check with an appropriate health professional. No statement herein is to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventative, or cure for any disease, disorder or abnormal physical state. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Foods and Drugs Administration or Health Canada. Dr. Marchione and the doctors on the Bel Marra Health Editorial Team are compensated by Bel Marra Health for their work in creating content, consulting along with formulating and endorsing products.

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