Navigating Summer Dust Storms: Health Advice for Respiratory and Asthma Patients in Western Saudi Arabia

Dust storm is one of the common weather problems that occurs in summers in western Saudi Arabia particularly in areas like Makkah, Madinah, Al-Baha, Asir and Jeddah-Jazan coastal belt. The National Center of Meteorology has been warning residents regularly about dust-stirring winds, while residents are being called upon to take extra care for their wellbeing.

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Fine dust is composed of dust particles of which the PM10 and PM2.5 are the ones that can penetrate quite far into the lungs and cause problems to the respiratory system. Long-term exposure can cause life-threatening effects to people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies or breathing problems. The government of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has urged vulnerable individuals to be extra careful and alert in the desert during dusty weather to avoid exposure.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While all people are vulnerable to the impact of dust storms, some are much more vulnerable to the health impacts. Inhaled particulate matter can irritate airways and cause asthma and COPD patients to wheeze or experience profound difficulty breathing and is therefore especially hazardous to the health of patients with asthma and COPD.

Other groups who need extra protection are children and the elderly, people who have just had eye or respiratory surgeries and outdoor workers. Increased outdoor exposure for those working on the road or driving for long periods of time should include checking information on the type of weather conditions and decreasing it when possible.

Create a Safe Indoor Environment

During a dust storm, your home will be your first line of defense. Ensure all windows external doors are tightly shut to keep dust out. Use damp towels or door sweeps to temporarily fill in gaps around doors and windows or with weather stripping.

Use a “recirculation” setting for the air conditioner rather than “fan on indicator” which pulls outdoor air through the indoor unit. HEPA air purifier when one is available, especially in damprooms, bedrooms and kitchens, to improve indoor air quality. Develop safer cleaning habits; instead of dry sweeping use damp microfiber cloths as these will not resuspend settled dust.

Stay Protected Outdoors

If you must leave the house, wear a surgical or cloth mask or a sufficiently fitted N95 or KN95 type mask, because these masks offer much greater protection from fine dust than cloth or surgical masks.

Cars should be kept with all windows rolled up and air conditioning changed to recirculate the air. Wearing protective eyewear can help to prevent eye irritation and changing your clothes and showering after being outdoors can wash allergens and dust away from your skin and hair.

Keep Your Medication Ready

Those with respiratory diseases should always have their rescue inhaler and make sure that it is never out of date. Remember to use the medicines as prescribed for prevention even if you do not have symptoms.

Saline nasal rinses may help wash dust from the nasal passages and antihistamines can help minimize allergy symptoms as recommended by your health care provider. A personal asthma action plan can help you act promptly during an asthma attack.

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

If breathing eases, but gets worse, or if the rescue inhaler is not helping you breathe, seek medical assistance immediately. If there is any chest tightness, blue lips or fingers, difficulty in speaking in sentences or if you experience pain after being in the dust, the person should receive urgent evaluation.

If these symptoms occur residents are advised to contact the Saudi Ministry of Health hotline 937 or their local Emergency Department.

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