Anyone who has lived in Atlanta for any length of time knows that a good rainstorm will create rivers of yellow as it washes away the pollen that has built up over allergy season. Despite what you might think, the rain actually makes allergy symptoms worse for most people, instead of better. That’s because the rain bursts the pollen particles prior to washing them away, putting higher concentrations of particles into the air.
This is particularly troublesome for people with asthma, especially when you take into account that nearly 95 percent of people diagnosed with asthma also have seasonal allergies. The severe symptoms asthma sufferers experience when it rains is known as “thunderclap asthma,” which is really an asthma attack triggered by pollen, not rain.
The best thing to do is to stay indoors during rainy weather, and when you do have to go outside, make sure you shower and change clothes when you return home. Otherwise, you could be shedding pollen on your bedding and around your home. Running the air conditioner and making sure air filters are kept clean can also help limit pollen exposure and reduce both asthma and allergy symptoms.
