Just last night got back from a wonderful week in France. First time abroad and we loved it.
Thing is we haven't had a holiday for a couple of years and haven't used the Vermont for more than a couple of nights.
It was really hot, so there was a lot more condensation in the tent than usual. The vents were open constantly and we aired the tent well every day but despite this both me and one of my sons had our asthma triggered.
Neither of us uses preventer medication as we have only ever had asthma from viral infections, so this is a new one on us.
What can we do to get the condensation down over and above what we're already doing? We can't afford to change our tent for a canvas one as friends suggested.
------------- Camping with three kids who have Autism... Never a dull moment!
I was diagnosed with adult onset asthma a few years ago was prescribed preventer and reliever inhalers and used them for 2-3 years then stopped and started taking some cheap cetrizine allergy tablets and hey presto it went. Would appear that Hay Fever may have been the cause of the breathing problems. If you have not been outside on the grass for extended periods, pollen counts have been high might be worth thinking about hayfever/pollen reaction.
Not giving medical advice/not a Doctor or health worker just giving personal experience.
Go see your doc never heard of condensation causeing a asthma flare up. I knew of lots of people who use high humidity to help reduce asthma symptoms. I would bet there another cause.
Now if your getting mold due to the damp buildup that could be a cause.
A canvas tent may help to reduce condensation or just increasing the air flow though the tent are the only thing you can do really.
I'm a asthma sufferer, and was diagnosed 22 years ago. Dampness is one of the trigger for me.
I live on the coast, and can predict heavy rain coming a number of hours before it hits us. Due to the high humidity in the air, even when the skies are clear at that point.
In fact, when I told one of my Bosses, 12 years ago, before I became a full time carer. Why I had a water proof out with me. He looked at me like I was stupid. Yet I was the one dry, when the sky all of a sudden opened up, with a extremely heavy downpour, just 90 minutes later. When I spoke to my Boss, there was not a cloud in the sky.
I take a preventer morning and night, and always carry a reliever with me. Along with Glucose tabs and Energy bars, as I'm also T2 Insulin dependant Diabetic.
Even the condensation in the kitchen, can cause my airways to spasm. It feels like I'm being Water Boarded, is the closest way to describe it, because my oesophagus spasms, as well as my chest tightening, and it leaves me panting, unable to get enough air.
Anything that holds water keep out of the tent like wet towels or coats.
How many of you are in the tent? We don't get any condensation if we keep the vents open with 2 adults and a toddler.
I'm no medic, but there does seem to be a lot of people "complaining" about respiratory problems this year. Me included, never had hay fever, but this year I have had a problem with the itchy/blocked nose (?)
Also, and I stress I am not medically trained, I do know that condensation leads to a proliferation of Mould Spores. And mould spores can cause respiratory problems.
Damp always triggers my asthma, so I never go camping without my blue Ventolin (Salbutamol) inhaler. I agree, a lot of people are complaining of respiratory problems this year. All the asthmatics and hay-fever sufferers I know have said it's been a bad year. I seem to be affected at night in the tent, when the mist or dew comes down. If you suffer from 'wet' asthma, or congestion which narrows the tubes, as I do, you may find the ventolin is a good enough fix as and when you need it. You may find you don't need a preventative.
A tent with "plastic" ground sheets left packed in storage for a long time may release plasticisers when erected and used, especially in very hot weather.
These airborne chemicals can trigger an asthma attack.
Air the tent well during the day and use all vents at night.
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Topic: Condensation and asthma
