Wildfire smoke, allergies, and asthma often cause similar symptoms, but each requires different daily actions. Smoke irritates the airways, allergies trigger the immune system, and asthma tightens the lungs. Track your symptoms, check AQI and pollen counts daily, reduce exposure on high-risk days, and follow your personalized asthma or allergy plan. If symptoms keep returning, worsen outdoors, or impact breathing, book an online appointment with a board-certified allergist.

Why this matters for athletes and active individuals

Outdoor runners, hikers, weekend cyclists, and parents with active kids experience a double challenge during wildfire season: smoke exposure + allergy flare-ups. Add asthma into the mix, and the respiratory system becomes even more sensitive.

All three—smoke, allergies, asthma—share overlapping symptoms:

• coughing
• chest tightness
• watery or itchy eyes
• stuffy or runny nose
• trouble taking a deep breath

But the root causes are different. Knowing which one is acting up helps you choose the right action every day.

Wildfire smoke vs allergies vs asthma: what’s the difference?

Wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is an irritant, not an allergen. It contains tiny particles (PM2.5) that reach deep into the lungs. The CDC notes these particles worsen respiratory symptoms for people with allergies or asthma.

Symptoms often include:

• burning eyes
• throat irritation
• coughing
• chest heaviness
• fatigue after outdoor activity

Symptoms usually worsen anytime AQI rises, even if pollen is low.

Allergies

Allergies involve the immune system reacting to:

• pollen
• dust mites
• mold
• pet dander
• grasses and trees

Common symptoms:

• itchy eyes
• sneezing
• runny or stuffy nose
• postnasal drip
• fatigue

Allergies worsen during high pollen counts, windy days, and certain seasons.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways tighten and swell.

Symptoms:

• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• nighttime cough
• chest tightness
• reduced exercise performance

Asthma gets worse with allergens and irritants like wildfire smoke.

At-a-glance comparison

Daily Action Plan: What to do each day

This guide helps athletes, parents, and outdoor enthusiasts decide what to do before workouts, during symptoms, and throughout smoky or high-pollen days.

Step 1- Check AQI + pollen count every morning

Check both, not one.

• AQI > 100 → smoke irritation likely
• Pollen high → allergy flare possible
• Both elevated → highest risk for asthma symptoms

Use: AirNow, Weather apps, Pollen.com.

Step 2- Adjust outdoor activity

If AQI is moderate to high (≥101):

• Reduce intensity of outdoor workouts
• Shift runs to early morning
• Wear an N95 mask if sensitive
• Choose indoor training when AQI >150

If pollen is high:

• Exercise before 10 a.m.
• Avoid windy, dry days
• Shower immediately after workouts

Step 3- Support your airways

For smoke exposure:

• Use HEPA filters indoors
• Keep windows closed
• Hydrate to thin mucus
• Consider saline nasal rinses

For allergies:

• Take antihistamines as advised
• Use nasal steroids consistently
• Begin long-term treatment like personalized SLIT/allergy drops through HeyPak®

For asthma:

• Follow your asthma action plan
• Use your rescue inhaler before exercise (if prescribed)
• Track peak flow when conditions worsen

Step 4- Know your body’s red flags

You may be dealing with asthma if you notice:

• chest tightness during or after workouts
• nighttime cough
• slower athletic recovery
• wheezing
• trouble completing warm-ups

You may be dealing with allergies if you experience:

• itchy eyes
• runny nose
• sneezing
• symptoms that improve indoors

Smoke irritation is more likely when:

• symptoms worsen immediately outdoors
• eyes burn or throat stings
• fatigue hits fast

Step 5- Create a daily routine based on conditions

If AQI is poor

• Indoor workouts
• HEPA filter running
• Hydrate every 1–2 hours
• Use asthma preventer medication (if prescribed)

If pollen is high

• Take antihistamines in the morning
• Rinse nose after outdoor activity
• Change clothes when returning home
• Close windows overnight

If both AQI and pollen are high

• Prioritize indoor exercise
• Use masks outdoors
• Strict medication adherence
• Consider SLIT/allergy drops to reduce long-term reactions

Long-term solutions: Why allergy drops (SLIT) help

Allergy drops, also called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), build long-term tolerance to allergens. That means fewer flare-ups during wildfire seasons, when smoke makes allergic airways even more reactive.

The 2017 AAAAI/ACAAI Practice Parameter Update confirms SLIT is safe and effective for long-term allergy control.

Benefits for active individuals:

• fewer pollen-related breathing issues
• improved exercise tolerance
• reduced reliance on emergency medications

HeyAllergy’s personalized program is called HeyPak®. It’s shipped to your home and supervised by board-certified allergists.

When to see an allergist (important triggers)

You should book a telehealth allergy appointment if:

• your breathing changes with seasons
• symptoms interrupt sleep
• workouts feel harder than usual
• you’re unsure whether symptoms are allergies, smoke, or asthma
• antihistamines aren’t enough
• you’ve had two or more bad breathing days in a week
• you were told you “might” have asthma, but no one confirmed it

You can schedule a same-week visit with a board-certified allergist at HeyAllergy:
👉 Book a telemedicine appointment.

What to do next (Action Box)

FAQs

1. How do I know if wildfire smoke or allergies are causing my symptoms?
‍Smoke causes burning eyes, throat irritation, and chest heaviness. Allergies cause itchy eyes, sneezing, and nasal symptoms. Check AQI and pollen levels—your symptoms often match the higher one.

2. Can wildfire smoke trigger asthma even if I’ve been stable?
‍Yes. Smoke particles (PM2.5) inflame the lungs, and the CDC confirms they can trigger asthma in people who are normally well-controlled.

3. What is the best allergy treatment for active individuals?
‍SLIT (allergy drops) provides long-term relief and is taken at home. HeyAllergy’s <a href="https://www.heyallergy.com/heypak">HeyPak®</a> is a personalized program supervised by board-certified allergists.

4. Is it safe to exercise outdoors when AQI is high?
‍Most people should limit outdoor exertion when AQI >100. Sensitive individuals, children, and athletes may need to avoid outdoor workouts entirely when AQI >150.

5. When should I worry about asthma symptoms?
‍If you wheeze, cough at night, or struggle with workouts, schedule an evaluation. Asthma often goes undiagnosed until symptoms worsen.

Author, Review & Disclaimer

Author: Krikor Manoukian, MD, FAAAI, FACAAI — Board-Certified Allergist/Immunologist
Bio: Dr. Manoukian is a board-certified allergist/immunologist specializing in telemedicine-enabled allergy care and personalized SLIT programs. He leads HeyAllergy’s clinical team and trains providers in safe immunotherapy.
Medical Review: HeyAllergy Clinical Team (Board-Certified Allergists/Immunologists)
Disclaimer: This article is educational and not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your clinician about your medications and treatment options.

References

• AAAAI/ACAAI. Sublingual Immunotherapy Practice Parameter Update (2017).
• CDC. Wildfire Smoke and Health Effects.
• NIAID/NIH. Asthma Research & Guidelines.
• AAAAI. Ask-the-Expert Resources.