Max Lab
Updated on: Oct 24, 2025
If someone’s asthma symptoms are flaring up in sync with seasonal changes or allergies, they might be dealing with seasonal asthma. You may wonder, what do asthma and seasonal changes have in common besides making your life uncomfortable? Quite a lot, actually.
For many people, a certain time of the year seems to go hand in hand with breathing troubles. Triggers like changes in weather, airborne pollen, dust, and pet dander can all contribute to worsening symptoms. That is why seasonal asthma is often referred to as allergic asthma.
To help you better understand and manage this condition, here is all you need to know about asthma caused by seasonal variations:
Seasonal asthma is a type of asthma that is triggered in specific seasons due to certain allergens and weather changes. Unlike normal asthma, which persists throughout the year, seasonal asthma can come and go depending on triggers, such as pollen from trees or weeds, mould, dust mites, or cold air.
When you are allergic to something, your immune system perceives the allergen as a threat that must be eliminated. It releases immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that trigger the release of molecules like histamine that cause allergic reactions like nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes or skin reactions. In people with asthma, this process can affect the lungs and airways, leading to asthmatic symptoms.
Here are some common seasonal asthma symptoms in adults and children:
Seasonal asthma is often caused by allergens such as dust, mould, or pollen, which is why you may also notice allergy symptoms, such as:
Depending on a person’s health and allergies, certain triggers can cause asthma flare-ups. Some of the common triggers for seasonal asthma include:
Pollen
Pollen is a powdery substance released from trees, grass, weeds, and ragweed. It is one of the most common triggers of seasonal asthma and is usually most abundant during the spring season. So, if you are experiencing seasonal asthma during spring, pollen could be the reason.
Cold Weather
While asthma in winter is not always common, some people might experience it. During cold weather, you are more likely to stay indoors, which can increase your exposure to allergens like dust mites, cockroaches, mould, etc. Even outside, breathing the cold, dry air can dry out the airways, triggering asthma symptoms.
Hot Weather
Besides winter, asthma can also be triggered by hot weather. During summer, the heat and humidity can cause your airways to tighten and narrow, resulting in breathing problems, wheezing and other symptoms that can increase the likelihood of asthma. Humid air can also trap lung irritants, such as pollen, and encourage mould and dust mites to thrive, diminishing the air quality and triggering seasonal asthma symptoms.
Mould and Mildew
Mould and mildew are both types of fungi that thrive in hot and damp weather. They release tiny spores into the air, which, when inhaled by individuals sensitive to them, can trigger an allergic reaction and asthma flare-ups. Thus, the cause of asthma in the rainy season and summer is often mould and mildew.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that are commonly found in the soft surfaces of your home, including carpets, soft furniture, pillows and mattresses. While they do not bite, their faeces and body fragments contain proteins that cause allergic reactions by inflaming the airways. For people with asthma, it can trigger asthma attacks.
The diagnosis of asthma caused by seasonal variation is quite difficult. It usually involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and some tests. The doctor will ask whether the individual has chest tightness, long-lasting colds, wheezing, allergies, asthma, or a family history of asthma, allergies, or trouble breathing. They will also conduct some tests to diagnose asthma, including:
Seasonal asthma is a long-term condition that does not have a cure. However, its symptoms can be managed with the help of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments.
Besides medications, some home remedies can also help. While home remedies are not a replacement for medication, they can definitely help alleviate symptoms and support the ongoing seasonal asthma treatment.
Here are some home remedies for seasonal asthma:
To manage asthma in the winter season, you must:
To manage asthma during hot weather, you must:
To manage seasonal asthma during pollen season, you must:
If the symptoms of asthma persist, it is best to immediately seek medical help. Some symptoms that warrant urgent medical care are:
In conclusion, seasonal asthma can make certain times of the year challenging, but with the right precautions and treatment, it can be managed. Understanding the meaning of seasonal asthma and recognising what triggers it can help you stay prepared and breathe freely, no matter the season.
You may have seasonal asthma if you are experiencing symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness during certain seasons.
The seasonal months for asthma in India are generally March-April and September-October. During these months, asthma flare-ups are due to high pollen count, smog, pollution from festivals like Diwali, and the return of school-related viruses.
To test for seasonal asthma, doctors generally ask for detailed questions about your symptoms and history of asthma or allergies. They can also perform tests like:
While seasonal asthma is a long-term condition and has no cure, its symptoms can be managed and controlled through medications like inhalers and allergy shots, avoiding triggers, controlling indoor allergens, and practising a healthy lifestyle.
Monsoon and pre-monsoon generally trigger asthma the most because of the increased humidity, mould growth, and rising levels of dust mites and pollen. Additionally, seasonal asthma in the spring and early autumn is also common due to increased pollen levels, which can trigger allergic asthma flare-ups.
While asthma is not always dangerous, if poorly managed, it can lead to severe asthma attacks, which are potentially life-threatening. Managing it effectively and avoiding triggers can definitely help reduce the risk of an attack.
You may have seasonal asthma if you are experiencing symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness during certain seasons.
The seasonal months for asthma in India are generally March-April and September-October. During these months, asthma flare-ups are due to high pollen count, smog, pollution from festivals like Diwali, and the return of school-related viruses.
To test for seasonal asthma, doctors generally ask for detailed questions about your symptoms and history of asthma or allergies. They can also perform tests like:
While seasonal asthma is a long-term condition and has no cure, its symptoms can be managed and controlled through medications like inhalers and allergy shots, avoiding triggers, controlling indoor allergens, and practising a healthy lifestyle.
Monsoon and pre-monsoon generally trigger asthma the most because of the increased humidity, mould growth, and rising levels of dust mites and pollen. Additionally, seasonal asthma in the spring and early autumn is also common due to increased pollen levels, which can trigger allergic asthma flare-ups.
While asthma is not always dangerous, if poorly managed, it can lead to severe asthma attacks, which are potentially life-threatening. Managing it effectively and avoiding triggers can definitely help reduce the risk of an attack.
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