24.08.2025
Asthma and allergies are among the most common chronic conditions.
Many sufferers ask themselves whether the air in the countryside is
really healthier than in the city. Studies show that people in large
cities suffer from asthma and allergies more often than residents of
rural regions. At the same time, rural areas have fewer classic
pollutants but bring their own risks such as pollen, dust and smoke.
This article explains how asthma allergies behave in different
environments, which factors influence “asthma air” and how you can use
an app to control your symptoms more effectively.
More control in everyday life – with the Breathment app
Do you want to find out which air does you good? With the
Breathment app, you can document and analyze your symptoms –
whether you live in the city or in the countryside. Download
the app now and recognize patterns that help you reduce asthma
and allergy complaints.
Urban burdens – why city air can worsen asthma
City air is characterized by traffic exhaust fumes, ozone and fine
dust. In many metropolises, air pollution from cars hardly
decreases; it contains gases such as nitrogen dioxide as well as
fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. Studies show that
people living in cities suffer from asthma and allergies more often.
Short‑term peaks can worsen existing asthma, and long‑term exposure
increases the risk of developing asthma in the first place.
A French study found that even small increases in benzene, sulfur
dioxide and PM₁₀ significantly increased the risk of asthma in
children. In addition, air pollutants enhance the allergenic effect
of pollen: polluted pollen can irritate the airways more strongly
and trigger allergic reactions. Besides these pollutants, factors
such as passive smoking, mold in old buildings, stress and
insufficient ventilation also act as additional burdens in cities.
Find out how climate change is generally altering the weather in the
article
Climate Change and Extreme Weather.
Rural risks – clean air with a downside?
According to the CDC, the overall air quality is better in the
countryside: in less densely populated regions, ozone and fine dust
limit values are exceeded much less often. In a US analysis, large
metropolises experienced ten times more days of poor air quality than
rural areas. Ozone levels also decrease measurably from city to
country. There is also a difference between
Sea vs Mountains.
But the asthma air in the countryside harbors other dangers. Pollen
from grasses, trees and weeds are more frequent in rural areas and can
trigger hay fever and asthmatic complaints. Other natural pollutants
include smoke from wildfires and dust storms, which occur mainly in
dry regions. These events release large amounts of fine dust and pose
a risk, especially for people with asthma. In addition, agriculture
and animal husbandry can release ammonia, pesticides or animal hair
into the air, which can be burdensome for sensitive individuals. You
can find more on the topic
Seasonal allergies throughout the year: Asthma allergy & pollen on our blog.
Comparison and tips – how to use your environment
Whether city or country air is better cannot be answered across the
board. Cities have higher pollutant loads, which increases the
likelihood of asthma and allergies. A systematic analysis of 63
studies even showed that the risk of asthma is significantly higher in
urban regions (odds ratio 1.46–1.96). In the countryside, however,
there are fewer industrial and traffic emissions but more pollen,
smoke and dust. Therefore, it is important to know the specific
triggers in your environment.
Practical tips for both environments:
-
Air quality check: use apps or regional forecasts to find out about
ozone, fine dust and pollen levels and adapt your activities
accordingly. The values can be monitored well:
Using Weather & Air Quality.
-
Improve indoor air: regardless of where you live, you should ensure
fresh air at home. Regular airing, mite‑proof bedding and a
HEPA‑filter air purifier can help.
-
Protection during natural events: when there is wildfire smoke or
dust storms, keep windows closed, use dust masks and limit physical
activities outdoors.
-
Avoid pollen: in rural areas, plan walks after rainfall or during
low‑pollen times (early morning, late evening) and change clothes
after being outdoors.
Conclusion – a conscious approach to asthma and allergies
Whether you live in the city or in the country: air quality plays a
major role for asthma allergies. Cities burden you through pollutants
and traffic, while rural regions present their own challenges with
pollen, smoke and dust. With a conscious lifestyle, up‑to‑date
information on asthma air and the support of digital helpers such as
the Breathment app, you can better understand your symptoms and
actively counteract them.
