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Asthma triggers are irritants in the environment that can provoke
asthma symptoms or attacks. There are many triggers that can aggravate asthma
symptoms, and they often differ from person to person. You can help prevent bothersome
asthma symptoms by identifying and avoiding your known triggers. In fact, identifying
and avoiding triggers should be part of a detailed plan of action to successfully
help manage your asthma.
It may not be possible to completely eliminate asthma triggers. You should still try
to remove as many as possible from your home and work surroundings. This can help you
enjoy a healthier life with fewer asthma symptoms and attacks.
smoking
dust mites
pets
cockroaches
indoor mold
smoke, strong odors, and sprays
pollen or outdoor mold
activity
colds and infections
weather
other triggers
smoking
- Do not allow smoking in the home or around you, especially in the bedroom or
a car.
- Avoid smoke-filled areas.
dust mites
Dust mites are tiny bugs you cannot see that live in cloth
and carpet.
- Encase your mattress and pillow in a special
dust-proof cover.
- Replace old pillows with new ones at least
once every 5 years.
- Wash the sheets and blankets on the bed
each week in hot water. Water must be hotter than 130° F (this kills
dust mites).
- During the day, keep dust off your bed
by covering the entire bed with a bedspread. At night, take off the bedspread
and put it in another room.
- If you’ve done all these things and still
have trouble with your asthma, talk to your healthcare professional.
pets
Some people are allergic to the flakes of skin (dander) or
dried saliva that come from animals with fur or feathers.
- Find a new home for the pet or keep pets out of your home. This can be very
hard to do but might be the best way to control your asthma if you are allergic
to animals.
- If you cannot keep pets out of your home, keep the pet out of your bedroom
and keep the bedroom door closed.
- Consider placing filters on the air vents in your bedroom.
- Remove carpets and furniture covered with cloth from your home. If this
is not possible, keep the pet out of the rooms where these are located.
cockroaches
Many people with asthma are allergic to the dried droppings
and remains of cockroaches.
- Keep all food out of your bedroom.
- Keep food and garbage in closed containers (never leave food out).
- Use baits or traps to eliminate cockroaches.
- If a spray is used to kill roaches, stay out of the room until the odor
goes away.
indoor mold
- Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or other sources of water.
- Clean mold off of surfaces with a cleaner
that has bleach in it.
- Replace or wash moldy shower curtains.
smoke, strong odors, and sprays
- If possible, do not use a wood-burning stove, kerosene heater, or fireplace.
- Try to stay away from strong odors and sprays, such as perfume, talcum powder,
hair spray, and paints.
pollen or outdoor mold
During your allergy season, you should:
- Try to keep your windows closed.
- Stay indoors with the windows closed during the midday and afternoon, if you
can. Pollen and some mold spore counts are highest at that time.
- Ask your healthcare professional whether
you need to adjust your current asthma treatment regimen before your allergy
season starts.
activity
- If you have asthma, you can still be active.
See your healthcare professional if you have asthma symptoms when you are
active—like when you exercise, do sports, play, or work hard.
- Ask your healthcare professional about
taking medicine for your asthma before you exercise to prevent symptoms.
- Warm up for about 6 to 10 minutes before you exercise by stretching or walking.
- Try not to work or play hard outside when the air pollution or pollen levels
(if you are allergic to pollen) are high.
colds and infections
If colds and infections trigger your asthma, talk with your
healthcare professional about developing a treatment plan to follow when you start
feeling sick. Also consider:
- Getting a flu shot
- Trying to stay healthy by getting plenty
of rest, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of
fluids, and avoiding contact with others who have colds or the flu.
weather
- Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf on cold or windy days.
- Avoid going outside on days when pollen or mold counts are high if you are
allergic to pollens or molds (check weather reports or the newspaper).
other triggers
- Sulfites in foods: For example, do not drink beer or wine, and do not eat shrimp,
dried fruit, or processed potatoes if they cause asthma symptoms.
- Other medicines: Tell your healthcare professional
about all the medicines you may take. Include aspirin, cold medicines, nonsteroidals (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), and even eye drops.
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