☀️ Respiratory Wellness: Summer Camp & Travel Prep
Summer brings exciting trips, sleepaway camps, and outdoor adventures. But between soaring temperatures, high humidity, pollen spikes, and blasting air-conditioners, your child's lungs can take a bit of a beating.
What surprises many parents is that heat itself acts as a respiratory trigger. High outdoor temperatures mixed with intense sunlight increase ground-level ozone —a invisible gas that causes airway inflammation, chest tightness, and coughing, even in active kids without daily symptoms. Furthermore, moving rapidly between hot, humid outdoor air and ice-cold indoor air conditioning can cause sensitive bronchial tubes to spasm. A little proactive planning before packing their bags ensures your young adventurers stay active, safe, and breathing easy all season long.
The CLAPS MD Takeaway 📌
Rescue Meds: Have rescue medications on hand as needed - in the camp medical office or with children
Mindful Storage: Extreme summer heat inside cars, tents, or beach bags can degrade medications. Keep inhalers out of extreme tempratures for extended periods of time.
Campfire Caution: Smoke from bonfires and charcoal grills is a major trigger for sudden airway constriction. A safe distance, preferably upwind from the smoke allows them to safely enjoy
Breathe easy!
— Dr. Folashade Farri
NJ's Kids' Lung Expert | @LittleLungsNJ
Family Fun Find: Beach Boardwalk (Point Pleasant, NJ) 📍
Looking for a lung-friendly shore trip in New Jersey? The Point Pleasant Boardwalk offers a classic coastal day trip where fresh ocean breeze provides relief from hot summer days.
Pro Tip: Head out around 9:00 AM to beat both the afternoon heat, crowds, and load up on Vitamin D which is a natural anti-inflammatory that all our lungs need!
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