Asthma triggers in spring: are classrooms ready?

Spring is in full swing, and allergy season is on our minds! Recently, we’ve written extensively about allergic reactions, particularly in light of the government’s school allergy legislation, which comes into force in September 2026. As many allergies can also trigger asthma symptoms, spring can be a challenging time for students with asthma, especially in a classroom environment where triggers can be harder to control.

It’s important for teachers and staff to be aware of students who have asthma and understand how to respond in case of an emergency.

What is asthma exactly?

Asthma is a long-term chronic condition that affects adults and children alike.

•  In the UK, 7.2 million people have asthma (Asthma + Lung UK).

• 160,000 people are diagnosed with asthma each year in the UK. (NHS England)
• Around one million children in the UK are receiving treatment for asthma, but less than 25% have a personalised asthma action plan. (NHS England)
  
• More than 174,000 instances of asthma medication use were recorded in Medical Tracker in 2025.

Asthma causes the inside walls of the lungs' airways to become inflamed, narrow, and swell up, often producing excess mucus. This can make breathing difficult, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma symptoms may be mild, but for others it can be a major problem that interferes with daily life and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Symptoms of asthma include:

➡️ A persistent, dry cough
➡️ Wheezing (a whistling noise when breathing out), a common sign of asthma in children
➡️ A feeling of shortness of breath
➡️ A feeling of chest tightness or ‘squeezing’ in the chest
➡️ Trouble falling asleep due to wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath
➡️ Coughing or wheezing attacks
➡️ Younger pupils may say their tummy is sore

Respiratory viruses, such as common colds or the flu, may exacerbate symptoms.

For some, asthma symptoms can worsen in certain situations:

• Exercise-induced asthma: symptoms may flare up during physical activity, particularly in cold, dry air.

• Environmental asthma: triggered by irritants such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust.

• Allergy-induced asthma: caused by airborne allergens like pollen, mould spores, cockroach droppings, or pet dander.

What are common asthma triggers in school?

• Pollen:
  In spring, one of the most common asthma triggers is pollen. Trees, flowers, and grasses release pollens that can enter classrooms through open windows, doors, or on clothing. Even brief exposure can trigger symptoms in sensitive children.
  

• Dust and indoor allergens:
  After the winter months, classrooms may accumulate dust, mould, or dust mites, especially in carpets, curtains, and soft furnishings. Spring cleaning can sometimes make this worse by stirring these particles into the air.
  

• Physical activity:
  With more outdoor sports and play, physical activity can increase in spring. While exercise is important, it can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms, particularly when combined with high pollen levels.
  

• Changes in temperature:
  The temperature change between indoor spaces and outdoors during physical activities or playtime can irritate the airways.
  

• Cleaning products and fragrances:
  Strong cleaning products, such as sprays, disinfectants, and air fresheners, as well as strong fragrances, can seem harmless but may be triggers for some children.

Reducing asthma risks in the classroom

Children with asthma should not be exposed to their triggers. While such an approach is not always possible, and triggers are not always identified, asthma symptoms can be managed through a cohesive school-wide approach.

There are simple steps schools and teachers can take to minimise asthma triggers:

✅ Keep windows closed during high pollen days where possible
✅ Encourage regular handwashing and wiping down of surfaces
✅ Use fragrance-free and asthma-friendly cleaning products throughout the school
✅ Ensure classrooms are well ventilated
✅ Be mindful of classroom plants that may trigger symptoms

When is an asthma attack an emergency?

Some signs can indicate that asthma is worsening:

• Asthma symptoms are more frequent and bothersome

• Increasing difficulty breathing
  

• The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

What to if a pupil is having an asthma attack

1. 1. Give their reliever inhaler right away:
      Give 1 to 2 puffs immediately (use a spacer if they have one).
      If giving 2 puffs, give them one at a time.

   2. Help them sit down and stay calm:
      Encourage slow, steady breaths.

   3. If they don’t get better:
      For a blue reliever inhaler, give 1 puff every minute, up to 10 puffs.
      For an anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) or MART inhaler, give 1 puff every 1–3 minutes, up to 6 puffs.

   4. Call 999 if they still don’t feel better.

   5. Repeat if necessary:
      If the ambulance hasn’t arrived within 10 minutes and they are still unwell, continue giving puffs as instructed in step 3 until help arrives. 
      

When to call 999 for an asthma attack?

• Severe difficulty breathing, struggling to speak without pausing, gasping or choking

• Severe chest pain that isn’t going away: the pupil may describe it as tightness, squeezing or pressure

• Complains of pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw

• Drowsiness

• Pale, blue, grey skin or lips – on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands

Reducing asthma triggers in the classroom

It’s important that staff are aware of which students have asthma and understand their individual triggers, if known. Children should always have access to their inhalers, and staff should know how to respond in case of an asthma attack.

Communicating with parents about suspected asthma in a pupil

Schools are not expected to diagnose asthma, but parents rely on teachers and school staff to communicate any healthcare issue that may arise while their child is at school.

• Record symptoms you and other staff members have noticed, such as frequent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty keeping up during physical activity. Even if the final diagnosis is not asthma, these notes can be really helpful for healthcare professionals.
  
• Share what you and your colleague have observed without making assumptions or trying to diagnose. For example, you could say, "We noticed a wheezing cough, and they seem to struggle during physical activity.”
  
• Guide parents to seek medical advice if they haven’t already.
  
• Discuss adjustments or precautions the school can take to help the child manage symptoms while at school.

Clear communication between parents and schools makes a big difference for children with asthma. Sharing asthma action plans, making Individual Healthcare Plans readily available to the relevant staff, and keeping up-to-date medications helps ensure a quick and effective response if symptoms occur.

Supporting resources

1. Know the signs – Asthma and asthma attacks
2. Guidance for parents: Understanding asthma