Airborne allergens include pollens, molds, dust mites, cockroaches, and animal dander. In addition to affecting those with asthma, ozone can impact those with other chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis, and may increase the risk of respiratory infections. During the summer ozone season, this information is often reported during weather forecasts, printed in newspapers, and posted on Web sites. Stay indoors as much as possible during ozone alert days, especially in the afternoon when ozone levels are highest. Avoid outdoor exercise in the late afternoon on days when ozone levels are high.
Exercise increases the effects of ozone because more of it enters the lungs.
Use air conditioning which keeps air cool and dry while filtering out pollens and molds so they do not enter the home. If you have a child with asthma, make sure that camp counselors, coaches, teachers and other care givers are aware of high ozone days, follow preventative measures and have access to medications. If you suffer from a respiratory illness like asthma, talk with your allergist about developing a special treatment plan to manage your symptoms on high ozone days. Avoid spending great amounts of time outdoors during peak ozone times, especially when exercising, and work with your allergist to create a good long-term asthma management plan that treats the underlying airway inflammation, the root cause of asthma. Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes and affects more than 17 million Americans.