Halloween is full of fun, from costumes and candy to haunted houses and trick-or-treating. But for people with asthma, this spooky season can bring hidden challenges. Fall is already a time when asthma symptoms often increase because of new school year gatherings, cooler weather, seasonal allergies and respiratory illnesses. But Halloween activities can add even more triggers and cause asthma exacerbation if you are unprepared.
Luckily, Dr. Rubabin Tooba, a pulmonologist with Northwestern Medical, believes that with some planning, anyone with asthma can enjoy Halloween while keeping symptoms under control. She shared with us her top tips for having a magical Halloween.
Managing Fall Allergies and Outdoor Triggers
Many Halloween activities happen outdoors, where fall allergens can be hard to avoid. Ragweed pollen remains active well into the fall and can trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath in people with allergies and chronic lung disease, like asthma. Mold is another common problem because it can grow on damp, fallen leaves. Hayrides, pumpkin patches and leaf piles are all possible places where people can be exposed to both mold and pollen.
Additionally, colder temperatures can make breathing more difficult for people with asthma and other lung conditions. Cool, dry air can irritate the airways. So, breathing through the nose or covering the mouth and nose with a scarf can help warm the air before it reaches the lungs.
Being Wary of Halloween Decorations
Though many Halloween decorations are placed outside where they may be less likely to trigger asthma reactions, it is still important to make sure all decor that has been in storage is cleaned before use. "If you have kids that have allergies, asthma or any other respiratory issues, it's always important to make sure decorations are well maintained and cleaned,” Dr. Tooba said. “Some of the spider webs or older scarecrow-like decorations may hold on to some of these harmful substances, such as dust and mold, and it can be triggering for people with asthma.”
When the season is over, she also recommends inspecting them and determining if they should be stored for another year. “You want to keep decor away from the rain so it doesn't grow mold later. If you notice mold, a musty smell, water damage, or decorations that are falling apart and collecting dust, it may be time to throw them away."
Navigating Haunted Houses and Fog Machines
A haunted house might be one of the most exciting parts of Halloween, but it can also contain a lot of asthma triggers. For instance, many haunted attractions use fog machines or dry ice to create a spooky atmosphere. These machines release vapor that is a mix of water droplets, and several man-made chemicals including glycol-based solvents, of which formaldehyde is a byproduct. "These machines put chemicals into that air that are not necessarily meant to be breathed in," Dr. Tooba explained.
“To simplify it, any tiny, lightweight particles that travel through the air (aerosolized), can be a trigger for those with asthma.” Besides fog machines, this can include glitter machines or smoke from bonfires which can release harmful particles into the air.
Even for those without asthma, exposure to these products can dry out the throat and cause temporary coughing, eye irritation or headaches. For people with asthma, severe allergies or pre-existing lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), they can cause more severe symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
If you plan to visit a haunted attraction, ask ahead about fog effects, avoid standing directly in dense fog or leave the area, and bring your quick-relief medicine just in case breathing becomes uncomfortable.
Picking Safe Costumes, Masks and Face Paint
Secondhand costumes stored in attics, basements or closets can be another asthma trigger because, like decorations, they can collect allergens or irritants while in storage. Dr. Tooba recommends washing any reused costumes before wearing because “older costumes can hold on to dust, mold and all kinds of allergens that, again, get into our lungs and cause swelling or inflammation."
Storing costumes in airtight containers can help reduce future triggers. However, asthma and allergy sufferers may want to consider buying or making new costumes each year to avoid the likelihood of a reaction.
Masks should also be cleaned before using and can make breathing feel more difficult if they fit tightly over the nose and mouth. Dr. Tooba suggests choosing open-face masks or face coverings that allow comfortable airflow to prevent obstruction.
Low-quality face paint, makeup, hairspray and glitter sprays can be troublesome as well. "Make sure that the face paint you’re using doesn't have any kind of strong odor or chemical in it that can be inhaled and cause that inflammation,” Dr. Tooba continued. Choose fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products and always apply makeup in a well-ventilated area.
Avoiding Trick-or-Treating and Scare Triggers
Strong excitement, laughter, fear and stress can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms. Some children can experience symptoms when they become overly excited or frightened during Halloween activities. “I have a few patients that tell me when they are startled, they start coughing,” Dr Tooba said. But if your asthma is well controlled and you have your quick-relief asthma medicine on hand, there is no reason you can’t enjoy a good fright.
Being prepared is also important when going door-to-door during trick-or-treating as you may be exposed to unfamiliar triggers. Other people’s homes may contain pets, scented candles, cigarette smoke, fireplaces, strong fragrances or decorative fog effects, for instance. Watch for early warning signs such as coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, irritability, racing heart or unusual fatigue. Taking regular breaks and slowing down the pace of trick-or-treating may help prevent symptoms from worsening.
Preparing for the Rise in Respiratory Infections
Halloween arrives during a time of year when there is commonly an uptick in respiratory illnesses. School is back in session, and temperatures begin to drop in many areas, so people spend more time indoors. This allows illnesses like colds, flu, COVID-19 and RSV to spread more easily. This can be a serious problem for people with asthma because contracting a respiratory infection is a common trigger and can worsen asthma symptoms.
Additionally, Halloween events often involve large groups of people, crowded indoor attractions and frequent contact with others. You can lower your risk of contracting an infection by practicing good hygiene, staying up to date on recommended vaccinations and staying home or keeping sick children home until they are fully well.
“Making sure that you're up to date on your shots, especially for kids, is important because that can help prevent some of those respiratory illnesses going around,” explained Dr. Tooba. “And make sure you have enough refills of the rescue medicines and your asthma action plan ready just in case."
Getting Ready for Halloween Fun
The best way to enjoy Halloween is to prepare ahead of time.
Before heading out, make sure asthma medicines are available and not expired. Carry a quick-relief inhaler during all Halloween activities and don’t forget to bring your spacer (valved holding chamber). Continue taking controller medicines as prescribed, even when symptoms don’t seem to bother you.
Have an up-to-date asthma action plan that outlines daily medicines, identifies personal triggers or early warning signs, and explains what to do if symptoms start to worsen. Knowing these steps ahead of time can help everyone respond quickly and confidently.
"Especially if you're around a lot of kids and neighbors, remember everyone's lungs are different. So even if your child doesn't have a high sensitivity to things in the air, other children might,” Dr. Tooba concluded.
Blog last updated: October 27, 2026
