Allergist warns of thunderstorm asthma

MAYWOOD, IL – April showers can bring more than just May flowers. The combination of grass pollen and thunderstorms can create a phenomenon known as “thunderstorm asthma” for allergy sufferers. 

Rachna Shah, MD, lead of the Loyola Medicine Allergy Count, is warning the public about this rare weather occurrence. Grass pollen, which is prevalent from mid-April until the end of May, which combined with rain, lightning and strong winds, can be the perfect storm. 

“This phenomenon occurs when there is grass pollen in particular,” said Dr. Shah. “The rain and lightning break the pollen into even smaller particles, which can get deeper into our respiratory system, causing asthma-like symptoms.”

Patients with a history of asthma, grass allergy, or worsening allergies are at higher risk. “It’s important for these individuals to use preventative medications that have been prescribed to control allergies and asthma, carry an albuterol inhaler in case of worsening asthma, keep windows closed, and keep track of the pollen count,” said Dr. Shah.

For more than 20 years, Loyola Medicine's Gottlieb Memorial Hospital has provided the Chicago area with updated allergy counts every weekday during allergy season. Allergy sufferers can follow @LoyolaAllergy on X (formerly known as Twitter) or visit loyolamedicine.org/allergy-count for the latest numbers. B-roll of Dr. Shah conducting the allergy account is available to download at this link.