MILLIONS of Brits are being encouraged to stay indoors and shut their windows as a red Saharan dust plume hits the UK.
The Met Office has confirmed the cloud of dust has blown from northern Africa and landed in parts of the UK this morning.
While it could make for some staggering pictures, the dust can damage the health of some communities downwind, according to charity Asthma + Lung UK.
This could be as mild as breathlessness and coughing, or at worst, hospitalisation or a fatal attack.
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at the charity, told Sun Health: “People with lung conditions, especially asthma, might find that the fine dust particles from the Sahara cause irritation to their lungs, which could result in them coughing and wheezing more or producing extra mucus.
“This irritation can cause asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions.
Over 5.4million people in the UK suffer from asthma, a condition that affects the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs.
For those with the condition, certain allergens, like dirty air, can trigger an asthma attack, which happens when the muscles around the airways tighten.
Asthma attacks kill three people each day in the UK.
Dr Andy urged people with asthma and other lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to take steps to reduce the impact of dust and air pollution, which included staying indoors.
“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,” he said.
The expert also advises asthma sufferers to follow their asthma action plan and know what to do if they have an asthma attack or exacerbation.
Meanwhile, thousands of Brits are getting over winter viruses, as the UK is in the grips of peak flu season.
Dr Andy said viruses and cold weather can make the lungs more prone to damage from air pollution.
He 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.”
It’s quite common for dust from the Sahara to arrive in the UK, and it happens several times a year, according to the Met Office.
Met Office meteorologist Nicola Maxey said that while air quality could be affected, it was unlikely to have much of a wider impact on the UK.
Earlier this month, the weather forecaster shared a satellite image of a huge cloud of dust moving across the Atlantic Ocean.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, read: “This amazing image captures a plume of Saharan dust moving out of Africa and into the Atlantic.
“Some of this dust will make its way towards us over the coming days…”
Ms Maxey told The Sun Online: “It happens several times per year. It’s actually relatively common.”
However, the right weather conditions are needed for it to be noticeable – a combination of winds blowing in the direction of the UK and the ideal amount of rain.
Some rain is needed to help bring the dust to land, although if it is too heavy, it just washes the dust away, and it is not noticeable.
Strong winds can collect sand from the desert high into the sky and upper atmosphere.
The dust is expected to last just today, although there could be some signs of it tomorrow.
It’s not clear how much of the country will be covered as the Met Office said it depended on the strength of the winds and how much rain there was.
What is it?
Asthma is a common, long-term condition which affects the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs.
How common is it?
Around 5.4million people in the UK have asthma. That’s one in every 12 adults and one in 11 children.
What are the symptoms?
Coughing, wheezing, feeling breathless or having a tight chest can all be signs of asthma.
What causes it?
Asthma can run in families, but having a relative with the condition doesn’t mean you or your child will get it.
Allergies can make it more likely, as can being born prematurely, having bronchiolitis and croup as a child, and being exposed to chemicals or dust.
Hormones also play a part, as do smoking, pollution, obesity, low vitamin D levels, and antibiotics.
What are the most common triggers?
Lots of things can make asthma worse, but people frequently report colds and viruses, pets, pollen, pollution, house dust mites and stress.
How can I manage it?
Most people can manage their condition by using a preventer inhaler every day, a reliever inhaler during a flare-up, and avoiding their lifestyle triggers.
Can you die from an asthma attack?
Yes. Four people die every day because of asthma attacks, according to the National Review of Asthma Deaths.
Is there a cure?
No, but there are medicines to prevent symptoms.
Source: Asthma + Lung UK
