Some Brits have been urged to stay indoors (Image: Getty)
Millions of Brits have been urged to stay indoors and shut their windows on Saturday and Sunday as an extremely rare weather event is forecast to hit the UK. Forecasters are predicting that a Saharan dust plume will descend on the UK and millions could be left « coughing and wheezing » or suffering a dangerous health emergency, health experts warn.
The particles will have travelled thousands of miles before reaching the UK and will turn ordinary sunrises and sunsets a vivid gold, amber or burnt orange. Highs of 17C are predicted in some parts of the country. Astham sufferers and those with lung condtions are warned the dust particles could cause dangerous symptoms. Speaking to the Sun, Deputy head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, Karen Spillett, said: « Saharan dust could pose a serious risk to people living with asthma and other lung conditions this weekend. The fine dust particles from the Sahara can cause irritation to the lungs, which could result in people coughing and wheezing more or producing extra mucus. »
Sahara dust cloud sunsets; FL (Image: Getty Images)
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« This sort of irritation can result in asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). »
The warning can also apply to COPD sufferers. The condition is often caused by lung damage making it harder for air to flow through the lungs. Often afecting smokers, COPD can lead to breathing difficulties that get worse over time.
Flare ups can cause phlegm, wheezing and sufferers struggling to catch their breath.
Around 1.7 million Brits have COPD, thought it may go unrecognised.
Asthma is also a chronic condition causing lung inflammation, affecting around 7.2 million people in the UK.
An asthma attack can come on suddenly and be triggered by weather changes, exercise or allergens – and be life threatening in some cases.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD (Image: Getty)
Karen added: « Saharan dust is a form of air pollution. In a recent survey, almost half of people (49 per cent) surveyed said their lung condition was triggered by breathing in toxic air. »
Karen has advised people with lung conditions to take steps to reduce their exposure to the Saharan dust cloud in order to avoid dangerous symptoms.
« We recommend keeping windows closed and, if the dust is causing symptoms, to stay in where possible. »
« If you do go out, consider showering and changing clothes when you come back inside in case you are carrying dust on your clothes. »
She also urged sufferers to refer to their self-management or asthma action plan to know what to do if they do have an asthma attack or exacerbation.
« People with asthma should keep their reliever inhalers with them in case their symptoms get worse and should continue to take preventer inhalers as prescribed, » she said.
Tips for high pollution days
According to Asthma + Lung UK, tips for high pollution days are:
- Limit outdoor activities and exercise so you avoid breathing in too much polluted air.
- Go out earlier in the day when air quality tends to be better.
- Stay on quieter, back streets if possible, avoiding areas where there’s a lot of traffic.
- Walk on the inside of the pavement because pollution levels are lower the further you are from the traffic
- Keep your car windows closed if you’re driving, especially if you’re driving in slow-moving traffic.
- Be prepared by checking pollution levels in your area. Defra produces a UK-wide pollution forecast every day, and for the next five days, so you can check to see if your local area is likely to be affected.
File photo dated 07/01/15 of a person using an inhaler for the treatment of asthma. Scotland needs a (Image: ui Mok/PA Wire)
Those who have recently been struck down with winter bugs are also urged to be cautious too.
Karen said: »Their [flu sufferers] lungs might already be more inflamed than usual, and the Saharan dust could make their breathing worse.
« That is why we always encourage people with lung conditions to take their preventer medication every day as prescribed and to check their inhaler technique with a healthcare professional. »
The plume is mainly expected to settle in southern parts of the UK.
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