Did you know? 

In the UK:

• Wore women than men have asthma
• Women have more severe symptoms
• Women are more likely than men to be hospitalised for asthma 
• Women are at greater risk of a fatal asthma attack

As women in various roles—such as business owners, employees, stay-at-home mums, or job seekers, we all share a responsibility to create safe and positive experiences for those we serve, whether they are our staff, customers, or families.

Scented or Safe?
Whether at home or at work, many of us love creating a pleasant atmosphere with air fresheners, reed diffusers, or scented candles. While these can make a space feel welcoming, did you know that these products can trigger allergies for the estimated three million women in the UK who have asthma? The same applies to many cleaning products we use to keep our spaces hygienic.

Relaxing or Risky?
For women with asthma, certain environments can be especially challenging. For example, hairdressers and beauty salons often use chemicals and bleaches in hair treatments, which can act as triggers. When salons also include nail bars, fragrances, polishes, and acrylic dust can further contribute to the problem. What might be a relaxing treat for many, a visit to the hairdresser or nail salon, can unfortunately become a significant health concern for someone with asthma.

Hormones and Asthma: Understanding the Connection

Doctors and researchers don’t fully understand why, but they do know that our hormones play a big part in asthma, with many women experiencing worse symptoms around their periods, when pregnant, and during and after menopause. 

So, what can we, as women, do to make life better for women with asthma? 

Good Health is Good for Everyone
We can start by focusing on the spaces where we work or spend our time, whether we run a business, are employed, or manage a household. Talking to colleagues, employers, or family members who have asthma can help us understand their needs and challenges. We can ask how we might improve their environment and empower them to lead the conversation and share recommendations.

By documenting steps to take during an asthma attack and ensuring everyone is trained to provide support, we create safer and more inclusive spaces. Those with asthma can also play an invaluable role as ambassadors, helping us understand how to make our environments more asthma-friendly, for staff, customers, and visitors alike.

Are you crafty?

The effect of asthma on women has attracted the interest of researchers at Imperial College in London who have teamed up with The Sewing Rooms in Skelmersdale (and two other craft groups – one in London, one in Birmingham) to explore the topic of ‘Women and Asthma’ through textile crafts. They will be hosting an early evening craft workshop at About the Town Central in the Concourse Shopping Centre in Skelmersdale in early March in connection with International Women’s Day.

How to take part

If you or someone you know is affected by asthma – in a professional or personal capacity – and would be interested in attending the workshop, please register your interest by emailing Bev at About the Town at editor@aboutthetown.co.uk who will confirm the date and time. Please note this is a creative exploration of asthma – not employer training – so all that is required is an interest in asthma and a willingness to be crafty! 

The work produced at this and other workshops will combine to create an engagement experience and art installation happening in Skelmersdale in autumn 2025 – watch this space for details in the next issue!