Does Pollen Affect Asthma?

Allergies and asthma often occur together. The same substances that trigger your hay fever (allergic rhinitis) symptoms, such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander, may also cause asthma signs and symptoms. In some people, skin or food allergies can cause asthma symptoms.

Does asthma get worse with pollen?

When rain droplets crash into airborne pollen, the pollen grains are broken into tiny particles. These particles can then get further and deeper inside your lungs than the larger pollen grains, and so trigger a worse asthma response.

How does pollen trigger asthma?

Pollution molecules stick to pollen grains, so they hang about in the air longer and are harder to get out of your airways. Thunderstorms can also cause your symptoms to flare up, because they smash pollen into tiny bits that go deeper into your lungs.