What should you know about exertional asthma?

During exercise, faster breathing can dry and cool the airways. In people with asthma, this may cause tightening and inflammation, leading to cough, wheeze, chest tightness, or shortness of breath during activity or soon afterwards. These symptoms can be more noticeable in cold, dry air or around irritants. Learn about [Asthma](/conditions/asthma/), [Wheezing](/symptoms/wheezing/), and [Chest Tightness](/symptoms/chest-tightness/).

A clinician may ask what activities trigger symptoms, listen to your chest, and use breathing tests. Nasal allergy can add to airway irritation; related problems include [Allergic Rhinitis](/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/) and [House Dust Mite Allergy](/conditions/house-dust-mite-allergy/).

Use preventer and reliever inhalers according to your written asthma plan. A clinician may advise a reliever before planned activity, but frequent need for it can signal that daily control needs review. Warm up gradually, keep your inhaler available, and choose environments with cleaner air when possible.

Do not exercise through wheezing, chest tightness, or worsening breathlessness. Record the activity, timing, symptoms, and inhaler response so your clinician can adjust treatment. Persistent cough between workouts deserves assessment; see [Cough](/symptoms/cough/) and [Chronic Cough](/conditions/chronic-cough/).

Get emergency help if breathing is rapidly worsening, you cannot speak comfortably, your lips look blue or grey, you feel faint, or your reliever is not helping as your plan expects. Sit upright, follow your emergency asthma instructions, and do not remain alone if symptoms are severe. Some attacks require supervised [Nebuliser Treatment](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/nebuliser-treatment/).

Ask whether exercise is triggering asthma, which inhaler to use before activity, how to check your technique, whether allergies need treatment, and what warning signs mean you should seek emergency care.