As smoke from wildfires blankets large swaths of the eastern United States, many people are experiencing physical symptoms such as eye tingling and burning. My throat irritates. A runny nose; and some coughing. For people without underlying medical conditions, this is primarily a temporary source of irritation. “It’s going to make you feel a little miserable, but you can make it go away,” said Panagis Galisasatos, M.D., a physician in respiratory and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University.
But for the most vulnerable, even short-term exposure can have immediate adverse effects, as exposure to toxins in smoke can cause inflammation and exacerbate existing health problems. there is. This group includes children and adults with respiratory or cardiovascular disease. “For vulnerable people, even short-term exposure may be enough to exacerbate underlying lung problems and overall conditions,” said Dr. Galiatussatos. Infants, young children, the elderly and pregnant women are also at increased risk of serious health effects.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said asthma sufferers are at particular risk. “The bottom line is this: if you can stay indoors, stay indoors,” she says.
Everyone may want to take precautions, but it’s especially important if you’re vulnerable. Here’s what health experts advise to minimize the risks:
Monitor air quality.
Dr Galiatussatos said, “Don’t let your eyes be the only determining factor” when judging air quality. Monitor your local Air Quality Index. The exponent can be found here: AirNow.gov.
Unity Health Toronto Family Physician Dr. Samantha Green says if the air quality is bad, stay indoors as much as possible. If air quality is moderate and you have an underlying medical condition, you should continue to take precautions and minimize your time outdoors. An Air Quality Index value above 100 means the air is unhealthy, while values between 51 and 100 are considered moderate.
“Avoid these toxins if you can,” says Dr. Galiatussatos. “The ideal situation would be to stay at home with the windows closed.”
If you have to go out, take precautions.
Laura Colin, assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, says avoid exercising outdoors or engaging in strenuous activity. If she has to go out, she should wear a tight-fitting mask such as an N95. When you get home, change your clothes, said Dr. Galiasathos.
of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention They point out that dust masks, surgical masks and bandanas are not sufficient to protect children from smoke, and that N95 masks are generally not adapted for children and may not provide adequate coverage. (Another tight-fitting mask, such as the KF94, can help.) And breathing through wet cloths likely won’t protect children from the smoke, officials say.
Keep your indoor space as safe as possible.
Experts advised to keep the windows closed. An air purifier such as a HEPA filter can be helpful, especially if it’s in the room where you spend the most time. Dr. Colin recommended minimizing activities that can interfere with indoor air quality. Do not burn candles or use fireplaces. Do not fry or boil the meat.
Limit time for large groups.
Francesca Dominici, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics, population science and data science at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, says that exposure to high levels of particulate matter in the air makes our immune system less effective. says. If you have a weakened immune system, you may want to limit the amount of time you spend indoors with large groups of people without wearing a mask, as your ability to fight off the virus from someone else may be compromised. I can’t.
Monitor your health.
Exposure to toxic air pollutants can increase your risk of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience chest pain or shortness of breath.
Dominici said people with underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, should be on the lookout for worsening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or increased coughing. If your symptoms worsen, talk to your doctor, who may recommend increasing your dose.
Dominici said to watch babies and toddlers for trouble breathing or excessive coughing. If your child has asthma, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s doctor to see if their medication needs to be changed.
