Asthmatics told to wear scarf over their face during winter

 Asthmatics are being encouraged to wear scarves over their mouths and noses this winter as experts say breathing in cold air can trigger an attack.

Asthma UK says wearing the scarf warms the air being breathed in.

Three quarters of UK sufferers say breathing in cold winter air exacerbates their symptoms, increasing the risk of an attack.

An attack occurs every 10 seconds in the UK, with 5.4 million people – one in five of them children – receiving treatment for the condition. Three people die every day after an asthma attack.

Asthma UK is urging patients to post pictures on social media of them wearing scarves over their face and nose to raise awareness.

This year’s “scarfie” campaign is being endorsed by celebrities including Stephen Fry, the actor, Jo Pavey, an Olympic athlete, and Dr Ranj Singh, a resident doctor on ITV’S This Morning show.

Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK clinical lead, said: “Living in the UK means that cold weather is impossible to avoid over winter but if people have asthma, simply wrapping a scarf around their nose and mouth can warm up the air before they breathe it in, reducing the risk.”

Debbi Wood, 58, a mother of two from Portsmouth, said she suffered asthma attacks in cold weather. “You never get used to it,” she said. “It’s terrifying and feels like breathing through a tiny straw.”