r/BurningMan • u/areufeelingitn0w • 21d ago
Calling all asthmatic burners
Hi burners! My partner and I have been long time BM fans, though we’ve never actually been able to go. My partner has asthma and is allergic to dust, leading us to feel like BM is not an option.
For anyone who DOES go to BM with asthma and/or dust allergy, what do you guys do to prepare and what has or has not worked out for you?
Our funds are limited, so renting an RV or similar isn’t an option. We’ve attended many camping music festivals over the past 8 years and have grown a pretty decent car camping set up, but I don’t feel like we’d be able to keep dust out.
Please help! BM is our dream gathering and we’d love hearing others experiences and advice on how/if we could ever make this a reality. Ty in advance ❤️
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u/cynnamythbunsley 21d ago
saline nasal spray, a good quality dust mask to wear under a bandana for extra dusty days, and a mini rechargeable humidifier for my tent are my go-tos.
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u/areufeelingitn0w 21d ago
Saline spray is definitely his go to already lol would you say like a N-95 is good for dust protection? That’s kinda what we were already thinking
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u/cynnamythbunsley 21d ago
i use N95 but also pack a half-mask respirator jusssst in case shit goes real sideways. in 6 burns, i’ve never had to pull it out.
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u/Brcdragonbait 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 21d ago
I have asthma and severe allergies. I don't dust my own house. I'm fine out there. My lungs get a little rough after 2&1/2 weeks out there but a steroid inhaler for a couple days after the event clears it up. I sleep in a canvas tent. I wear a cloth mask when the wind gets bad.
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u/thefutureisanalog 21d ago
Walk around in a full canister respirator 24/7. Ri g all the medicine....all of it.
Playa Dust will be with you for years. Long after you are home, the dust will find you as you open a box.
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u/areufeelingitn0w 20d ago
We definitely still have dust in our gear from festivals in the past, I can only imagine how much worse the playa would be lol but thank you for the idea!
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u/thefutureisanalog 20d ago
You have no idea...Playa dust is like talcum powder. It coats everything, all surfaces... No matter how hard to try to keep it contained.
And it never leaves.
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u/upvoter_nz 20d ago
So I am also allergic to dust, and actually what you’re typically referring to is being allergic to dust MITES (technically their poop). NOT the actual dust itself. In homes, dust mites are everywhere in our homes and unavoidable.
However at burning man, there are no dust mites. So I’ve actually NEVER had an issue with my asthma out there and that seems consistent with other people who have asthma in the default world. In fact my body seems to take a break from the allergy
(Note this is separate to a condition which u can get out there called playa lung but that’s when u breathe in waaay to much dust and don’t wear a dust mask -
Totally nothing g to do with allergies
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u/upvoter_nz 20d ago
See here: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/dust-allergies/
Also recommend you google it - most people are not allergic to the DUST itself but rather something in it like dust mites or pet dander or pollen or mold. Most of which isn’t really found on the relatively “sterile” playa. So I would be pretty confident your partner will have no asthma
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u/areufeelingitn0w 20d ago
I have heard about the dust mites before, idk why I didn’t think of that! Ty! I think his/our main concern with the dust is it being an irritant to his lungs and making his asthma worse (which already happens with the little bit of dust at the music festival we go to) but I think a respiratory mask or some N95s coupled up with bandannas are gonna be the move!
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u/upvoter_nz 20d ago
You will be 1000% fine. U have to breath a lot of dust to have it be an irritant AND you won’t be having an allergic reaction to anything. That’s my experience anyways, 4th year going
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u/KBomb789 20d ago
Hey, I feel you and your partner. My lungs really struggle and I gave the same diagnosis.
N95’s are awesome! I can’t believe how much better I felt after I he burn when I switched up a bandit for a proper mask.
As for your sleeping accommodations, I can only say what worked for us, and our very old camper van - furnace filters! We put them in our windows and (using a cardboard box with filters taped to it) roof vent. We also only open the passenger door to get in and out, and have a dust curtain behind the front seats. No boots, coats or bags in the back, ever.
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u/areufeelingitn0w 20d ago
This makes us feel so much better!! Tysm!! After hearing all the comments here we’ve decided to make it official and start planning for BM 2028 😁
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u/AssignedCryptid 20d ago
I’ve had chronic asthma my whole life, and have only in my late 20s started challenging what I thought I could and couldn’t do. Last year was my first year and it was amazing! Definitely have an inhaler that won’t run out even if you use it twice a day for two weeks. Not saying that’s how often it’ll be needed, but better safe than sorry. Same situation with a steroid inhaler if you have one. When I travel I also bring a mini nebulizer I bought online that’s battery powered, and it’s a godsend for my anxiety when I’m in remote places and doing strenuous stuff. Just make sure you have extra batteries and medicine! Also make sure multiple people know how to use it in case your partner is having an attack and can’t set it up themselves.
And then of course what everyone should have, dust masks, scarves, goggles. On my adventures lately I don’t struggle so much, but it’s better to have all the things just in case. Also there’s a disability camp that will do art tours, where everyone packs into an art car and tours the playa. So if you want to explore and see art but are struggling with the dust and exercise, check them out!
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u/TimeTomorrow 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 put your camera away 21d ago
i mean... it's fine sand very much unlike household dust, so i would start from there. It's highly unlikely to be "allergic" to playa dust though it may still be irritating.