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THURSDAY, Sept. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News)<\/p>\n
People with asthma<\/a> and other respiratory illnesses need to be aware of the threat that wildfire smoke poses to their breathing<\/a> and take steps to protect themselves, an allergy<\/a> expert warns.<\/p>\n Wildfires are raging across western U.S. states, and the smoke is spreading across much of the country.<\/p>\n It’s important for everyone — especially children and people with asthma<\/a> and other respiratory illnesses — to stay indoors in order to avoid wildfire smoke, said Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the American College of Allergy<\/a>, Asthma<\/a> and Immunology.<\/p>\n “Smoke from fires is a dangerous irritant to the eyes and respiratory system. It can make heart<\/a> conditions and lung diseases like asthma<\/a> worse. Children are especially vulnerable because their lungs<\/a> are less developed, and they are closer to the ground, and thus more likely to take in more smoke,” Meadows said in a college news release.<\/p>\n If you can smell smoke outdoors, try to stay inside. If you have asthma<\/a>, control it with proper use of your medications, and consult your allergist if are having difficulty breathing<\/a>, he advised.<\/p>\n If you have to go outside, an N95 mask, properly worn, will offer some protection from wildfire smoke. Paper or cloth dust masks do not protect your lungs<\/a> from smoke, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> says.<\/p>\n People near fire areas who may have to leave quickly should keep a supply of asthma medications<\/a> ready to go. If you must go to a shelter, inform officials about anyone in your family who has asthma<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even after smoke levels fall, keep alert for any asthma symptoms<\/a>. Contact your health care provider if you have trouble breathing, shortness of breath<\/a>, a cough<\/a> that won’t stop, or other persistent symptoms. For medical emergencies, call 911 or go right away to an emergency department, Meadows said.<\/p>\n — Robert Preidt<\/p>\n ![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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