Are you heading off to a festival this summer? Make sure to pack your inhalers as well as your wellies! Avoiding asthma triggers like cigarette smoke, vapes and e-cigarettes and changing weather can be tricky at festivals, but there’s no need for your asthma to stop you from having fun.
If you have asthma and you’re off to a festival with your mates, here are a few ways to have great time and stay safe!
Don’t ditch your preventer routine. You’ll probably have lots of late nights and lazy mornings – but remember to take your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed. This is the best way to keep your asthma under control. You could leave it next to your sleeping bag or set a reminder on your phone in case you forget.
Pack your asthma action plan. If you’re worried about losing it, try taking a picture of it on your phone. Share your plan with your friends too.
Make sure you tell your friends about your asthma. Let them know your asthma triggers and explain what they should do if you have an asthma attack. Tell them where you keep your reliever inhaler so they can grab it for you if your symptoms come on.
Hay fever can make your asthma symptoms worse, and you’ll probably spend lots of time outside. Make sure to pack some antihistamines if pollen triggers your asthma. You could also speak to your local pharmacist about hay fever treatments before you head off to any festivals.
You don’t want to be running back to the tent while your favourite artists are on, so keep your reliever inhaler on you at all times just in case you start to get symptoms.
There's not much privacy at a busy festival, but there’s no reason to be embarrassed about using your inhaler in front of your friends or other festival goers. Asthma is a common condition – lots of other people there will have asthma too!
Festivals are all about having fun. However, alcoholic drinks can trigger asthma symptoms for some people as they contain ingredients called histamine and sulphites. And knowing the facts about how recreational drugs can affect your lung condition can help keep you safe.
Check where the first aid tents are when you arrive, so you don’t end up trying to find them in an emergency. Take a mate with you so they can quickly fetch a medic if your symptoms worsen.
And, finally - have fun!