A doctor has issued a ‘festival dust’ warning to festivalgoers heading to Creamfields and Reading after people reported ‘turning green’ at other major events.
Recent videos posted to the likes of TikTok showed attendees at Bassfest, Maiden Voyage and Leeds Fest battling with the exceptionally dry conditions with dust clouds smothering the area.
Some claimed they would be ‘coughing up dust for weeks’ with other attendees even left with brown and green faces due to the severity of the conditions.
It comes after England and Wales recorded the driest July on record in 2026, causing exceptionally dry conditions at major summer events in July and August, with the ground left completely parched people left forced to wear face masks.
Many took to social media in recent weeks to complain of severe asthma and sore eyes, comparing scenes to the set of movie Dune 3 and sharing dramatic clips of huge dust clouds surrounding crowds.
Now an online doctor for Asda has explained the ways in which dust and those conditions can affect health and steps that can be taken to help prevent symptoms.
It comes ahead of tens of thousands of ticket holders heading to Daresbury for Creamfields this weekend (27-30 August) and Reading festival on the same dates.
Dr Crystal Wyllie explained that dust can irritate airways and trigger an immune response resulting in irritation to the eyes, throat, nose and lungs, resulting in coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Doctor recommends wearing a mask
Dr Wyllie explained: “Dusty environments can irritate your airways and can trigger an immune response that causes airway muscles to tighten and swell, and mucus production to increase.
“This comes from breathing in fine particles that often irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can lead to coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
“Spending time in dry and dusty outdoor environments, like parks and festivals, can also trigger eye and skin discomfort, like watering eyes and itching.
“Sensitive airways are highly vulnerable, for example if you have asthma or COPD, (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), as dust exposure can spark severe asthma attacks and wheezing.
“Dry, windy conditions coupled with large crowds moving across bare ground can increase the amount of dust in the air.
“If you are due to spend time outside in a dry and dusty environment, I would recommend wearing a mask to protect your lungs from airborne particles, especially if you are at higher risk, for example those with an airways disease like asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
“It’s also essential to stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water to keep throat linings moist, and to help clear mucus.
“Anyone experiencing significant breathing difficulties should seek medical advice.”
Festivals left smothered in dust
The dry conditions across the UK came after a summer marked by repeated heat records, which contributed to drought conditions affecting the whole of Wales and half of England.
Those heading to festivals across the country have in recent weeks shared videos of their own experiences, even reporting ‘turning green’ and having severe reactions with asthma.
One TikTok, taken from Maiden Voyage on 8 August described Burgess Park as the set of Dune 3. “The shower ran BLACK” one attendee commented afterwards, as another said: “I went to Burgess Park… and can confirm that place was dustier than the desert.”
Meanwhile people claimed they had even ‘turned green’ after attending Bassfest, in Sheffield last month. “Absolutely MUGGED OFF by the dust,” one post on TikTok read, showing a woman whose face had equally turned discoloured.
At All Points East in Victoria Park in London there were similar scenes. Another TikTok video titled: “They weren’t lying about the dust at all points east” showed a woman whose face had turned dark brown due to the conditions.
“My lungs still hurt from the dust,” one user commented, as another attendee posted: “I swear I’m still coughing dust.”
Lineups at Creamfields and Reading
Around 80,000 people are expected to attend Creamfields this weekend running from 27 August to 30 August.
The site, in Daresbury, Cheshire, will welcome a mammoth 250 artists to perform across several stages.
Acts on the line up include Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Swedish House Mafia and Sonny Fodera. There will also be live performances from Faithless and Underworld, as well as Carl Cox and Martin Garrix.
Reading festival meanwhile will see around 100,000 people descend on Richfield Avenue. It is also running between the same dates, from 27-30 August.
Headliners like Charli xcx, Chase & Status, Raye, Florence and the Machine, Fontaines D.C. and Dave will all take to the stage along with Sombr, Skepta and Declan McKenna.