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Asthma Society of Ireland Urges Festival Goers to Pack their Asthma & Allergy Medication
The Asthma Society of Ireland is appealing to people with asthma attending any music festivals this summer to bring their asthma medication and to be aware of the large number of triggers at outdoor events that may affect their asthma and allergies. Possible asthma triggers include weather changes, dust, pollen, moulds, air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, aerosols and dry ice, exercise, and alcohol, all of which are part of the festival environment.
Following previous awareness campaigns run by Asthma Society of Ireland highlighting important health information for asthma and allergy sufferers attending festivals, Director of Patient Services at the Asthma Society, Frances Guiney commented: “History has shown, there is commonly a large number of people at festival medical tents who forget to bring their inhalers to the festival. Our advice is to remember to bring your asthma medication with you and bring a back up in case you lose your inhaler.”
If pollen is a trigger for your asthma or allergies, check the pollen forecasts on our website in the region of the music festivals or outdoor events you are attending and also to ask a friend to pitch your tent as pollen and spores may be disturbed by this action.
Sharon Cosgrove, CEO, Asthma Society of Ireland said, “Weather changes, high pollen counts and second hand smoke are all part of a large list of triggers at outdoor music festivals that can exacerbate asthma symptoms. People with asthma need to ensure they are prepared, have their asthma under control before they go and know what to do in an emergency. There are so many festivals taking place around Ireland and with good planning people with asthma, hay fever or other allergies should have an enjoyable experience. If anyone is concerned about their asthma, I would urge them to visit their health care professional in advance of the event to ensure they are prepared for what should be a great weekend. The Asthma Society Asthma Adviceline is also open Monday - Friday from 10am-1pm, which people can call in confidence and speak to an Asthma Nurse specialist. The number is 1850 44 54 64.”
Festival goers are urged to remember the following essential health advice:
• Don’t forget to bring your inhalers with you and have your reliever inhaler on you at all times
• Know how to deal with an emergency- What to do in an Asthma Attack.
• Carry an Asthma Attack card at all times. Contact the Asthma Society of Ireland to request an Asthma Attack card.
• Know where the medical tents are.
• Inform friends if you have asthma.
• Get someone else to put up your tent.
• If you drink alcohol, make sure it is in moderation.
• Don’t smoke.
• Do not take recreational drugs.
In the case of an emergency, firstly alert a friend, go to a medical tent and keep calm. Ensure your friends are aware of the following steps:
• Take your blue reliever immediately.
• Sit down and loosen tight clothing.
• Stay calm – don’t panic.
• If no immediate improvement, continue to take the reliever inhaler every minute for five minutes or until symptoms improve.
• If symptoms don’t improve, call a doctor.
• If you don’t have a reliever inhaler, go straight to the medical tent.
For more information call the Asthma Adviceline on 1850 44 54 64.
