Planning ahead and creating an action plan can help people with asthma, allergies, and COPD breathe easier and enjoy festival season in NOLA.

Key takeaways

• Environmental allergens, poor air quality, large crowds, and physical exertion at outdoor festivals can cause breathing issues for people with allergies and respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.
• Proper planning and the right treatment plan can reduce your risk of breathing issues.
• Staying hydrated, avoiding peak sun hours, taking breaks, and making other adjustments can help you breathe easier during festival days and nights.

Breathe easier during festival season: Tips for asthma, allergies, and COPD

Springtime and festival season are synonymous in New Orleans. From Mardi Gras, the French Quarter Festival, and Jazz Fest to the Greek Festival and Essence Festival, the city is jumpin’ with music, food, culture, and people of all ages.

But as fun as festival season is, being outdoors can be challenging for people with asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory conditions.

Learn why festival season can trigger breathing issues and how to prepare so you can breathe easier in The Big Easy this spring without missing a beat.

What triggers breathing issues during festival season?

Spring festival season runs from March through June—just as the weather warms up and trees begin to bloom. But heat and high pollen counts aren’t the only factors that can cause breathing issues for people with allergies, asthma, and COPD. Smoke and air pollution from food vendors and fireworks, long walks to venues, and even big crowds can also lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath for those with lung conditions.

Outdoor allergens

Allergens are harmless substances that, in some people, trigger an overreaction from the immune system. Common outdoor allergens include tree and grass pollen, ragweed, dust mites, mold, and pet dander.

In springtime, grass and tree pollen are the biggest culprits—especially in New Orleans, where our beautiful oak, elm, and cypress trees bloom early.

Unfortunately for asthma and allergy sufferers, festival season overlaps with peak pollen season. Exposure to grass and tree pollen can cause wheezing, coughing, sneezing, congestion, and itchy, watery eyes for people who are allergic. High pollen counts can also trigger asthma attacks or COPD flare-ups in people with those conditions, making breathing more difficult.

Heat and humidity

Our city isn’t just known for our food, music, and festivals. New Orleans is also notorious for humidity during the spring and summer months.

Warmer temperatures and humid air can feel heavy and thick. These conditions irritate the lungs and increase airway inflammation (swelling), which makes it more difficult for air to pass through.

Humid air (over 50%) also promotes mold spore growth, a common outdoor allergen that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Smoke and air pollution

What’s a festival without food vendors? As delicious as those Cochon de lait po’boys and fried alligator bites are, the smoke from barbecue grills, smokers, fryers, and food trucks can irritate lungs—especially for people with asthma and COPD.

Fog machines, fireworks, and bonfires are staples at many spring festivals. Like grills and food trucks, the smoke they produce can also irritate lungs and induce coughing and wheezing.

Large crowds

Part of what makes NOLA festivals so great is the people who attend. But big crowds easily kick up dirt, dust, and pollen and quickly spread airborne viruses. These airborne particles are breathed in, which can be dangerous for people with lung conditions.

Then there’s the secondhand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and cannabis. Since most outdoor festivals allow smoking, it can be hard to escape secondhand smoke in tightly packed areas—and you already know what breathing in smoke can do to your lungs.

Physical exertion

NOLA festivals involve a lot of walking because of the sheer size of the events.

The French Quarter festival spans multiple locations. Jazz Fest features multiple stages. The Essence Festival holds events at the convention center and the Superdome. Even events like the Crawfish Festival and the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo are spread out along The Broadside and the grassy banks of Bayou Street, respectively.

For people with allergies, asthma, and COPD, walking long distances and standing in long lines can make breathing difficult. The physical exertion can exceed their lung capacity, causing them to wheeze, cough, and experience breathlessness.

Breathing tip for festival season #1: Plan ahead

Just because you have allergies or a respiratory condition like asthma or COPD doesn’t mean you have to miss all the festival fun. Having a game plan in place before you go can help reduce your risk of experiencing breathing issues while you’re away from home.

Have an action plan in place

Before you make plans to attend a festival, make an appointment with your care provider to review your treatment plan and make sure it’s up to date. If medication changes are needed, now is the time to handle them.

Pre-medicate if appropriate

During your pre-festival doctor’s visit, ask your provider if you should take medication before going to the event. Some people benefit from an early dose of an antihistamine, corticosteroid nasal spray, or their rescue inhaler. Always check with your doctor before taking this precautionary dose.

Check pollen counts and air quality before you go

It’s best to avoid outdoor festivals on high-risk days when the pollen count is high and the air quality is poor to protect your health. You can check local pollen counts at Pollen.AAAAI.org and local air quality and humidity levels at AirNow.gov.

Pack an emergency breathing kit

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Pack an emergency breathing/allergy kit in case you have trouble breathing and can’t get to the festival EMTs. Here are a few things to include, depending on your condition:

• Rescue inhaler
• EpiPen
• Antihistamine medication
• Mask
• Cooling towel or portable fan
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water (use a refillable bottle)

Breathing tip for festival season #2: Make adjustments

Pre-festival planning is one way to reduce your risk of breathing issues. Another way is to adjust the environment however you can. That can mean drinking extra water, avoiding peak sun hours, taking breaks, and wearing a mask, among other things.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can thicken mucous and worsen coughing and wheezing. Being outside in the sun all day is dehydrating, and so is drinking alcohol. We’re not saying you have to give up your hurricanes, but try alternating with water to stay hydrated.

Avoid peak sun hours

Heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your lungs, increasing irritation and swelling—both of which make breathing more difficult. If possible, attend festivals earlier in the day or in the evening when the weather is typically cooler and less irritating.

Take breaks indoors or in the shade

If you can’t avoid the peak sun hours, be sure to take regular breaks in the shade or find an indoor space with air conditioning to avoid heat exhaustion and breathing issues.

Be mindful of smoke and air pollution

It may be difficult, but whenever possible, try to avoid standing near open fire pits, grills and smokers, and people vaping or smoking cigarettes, cigars, or cannabis. If it’s unavoidable, wear a mask and use your rescue inhaler as needed.

Wear a mask

We know, we know … Wearing a mask is so 2021. But keeping your mouth and nose covered with a disposable surgical mask, scarf, or bandana can reduce your chances of inhaling pollen, smoke, and other lung irritants.

Seek medical attention when needed

You know your body best. If you’re experiencing signs of an allergy attack, asthma attack, or a COPD flare-up, find the festival EMTs. They can help provide immediate relief and call for emergency services if needed. Signs to watch out for include:

• Shortness of breath/trouble breathing
• Chest tightness
• Persistent wheezing
• Fatigue or dizziness
• Allergic reaction (hives, swelling, trouble breathing)

When to see a specialist

Living with allergies, asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions doesn’t have to keep you sidelined this spring—but it does require proper treatment and care. At LCMC Health, we can help manage your condition so you can breathe easier and enjoy festival season and every season of life.

Learn more about comprehensive ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care at LCMC Health and schedule an appointment with an otolaryngologist today to help manage your allergies.

Learn more about respiratory care at LCMC Health and schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist today to help manage asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions.

Related questions about breathing issues during festival season

Do I have to avoid outdoor festivals if I have asthma, allergies, or COPD?

Allergies, asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions do not have to keep you from enjoying the revelry of festival season. But you do have to take precautions and plan ahead to lower your risk of breathing issues and ensure your safety.

How can I manage my spring allergies during festival season?

Limiting time outdoors when pollen counts are high is the best way to avoid a spring allergy attack, but that’s not easy when festival season rolls around. Check local pollen counts before you go, and be sure to pack an emergency kit in case you have a flare-up. Learn more ways to manage spring allergies in The Big Easy.

How can I stay safe during festival season if I have a respiratory condition?

The best way to protect yourself from breathing issues during festival season is to make a plan and come prepared. Check air quality and pollen counts before you go, pack an emergency kit, and adjust throughout the day to avoid triggers. Find more festival season safety tips here.

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