Avoiding Asthma Triggers
How to avoid asthma triggers:
Many things can trigger an asthma episode, including the following:
- upper respiratory infections
- allergies to dust mites, pollens, animal dander, mold/mildew,
or cockroaches
- exercise
- irritants such as cigarette and other forms of smoke, strong
odors and perfumes, fumes from wood stoves or kerosene heaters,
and air pollution
- weather changes
The following is a list of things you can do to limit your child's
exposure to common triggers of asthma.
- allergies
- dust mites
The allergy is caused by tiny insect-like creatures called
dust mites. Dust mites are found in mattresses, carpets, and
upholstered furniture. They thrive in warm, humid conditions
and feed on the shed scales of human skin. The best way to
prevent allergy symptoms caused by dust mites is to limit
your child's exposure. Be sure to pay special attention to
the bedroom where your child spends the most amount of his/her
time.
- beds
Every bed in your house should have wooden or metal frames.
Do not allow your child to sleep on a couch, sofa, or hide-a-bed.
If your child has asthma and sleeps in a bunk bed, he/she
should sleep in the top bunk.
- mattress/box spring
Place all mattresses and box springs in a zippered, dust-proof
cover and tape over the zippers with electrical or duct tape.
- pillows
Encase pillows in zippered, dust-proof covers. Pillows
should be made of Dacron or other synthetic fiber. Do not
use foam, feather, or "Down" pillows.
- bedding
Avoid wool or down blankets. Wash all bedding (sheets,
pillowcases, blankets) in hot water. Cold water will not kill
the dust mites. Dry all clothes and bedding in the dryer to
avoid pollen sticking to them when on a clothesline.
- floor coverings
If possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting. If not, vacuum
the carpet frequently (at least twice a week). If your child
has asthma, only vacuum when your child is away and will not
return to the room for several hours after you have finished.
Substitute multi-layered vacuum bags for regular single layer
bags. Small, washable cotton rugs may be used if washed often.
Wood, tile, or vinyl flooring without a rug is best, and they
should be mopped at least weekly.
- closets
Remove all stored toys, boxes, and other articles from
closets. The closet should contain only clothing and should
be as dust-free as the room. Keep all clothes in closets,
never lying around the room.
- furnace (heating)
Electric or gas heat is recommended. Do not use wood stoves
or kerosene heaters. Change the air filters on the furnace
every month. Cover all furnace outlets in the room with special
filters or cover the outlets with ten thicknesses of cheesecloth
or muslin. This will catch dust in the furnace air. Change
the cheesecloth when it gets dusty underneath (about every
two weeks).
- air purifier
A HEPA filter unit of the proper size can effectively
remove airborne allergens.
- air conditioners
Window unit or central air-conditioning is ideal. Change
or clean all filters every month. Windows should be kept closed,
especially in the summer.
- doors
Keep bedroom closet doors and bedroom doors closed as
much as possible.
- walls
Paint walls or use washable wallpaper. Avoid pennants,
pictures, wreaths, flower arrangements or other dust catchers
on the walls.
- window coverings
Avoid heavy curtains and Venetian/mini blinds. Use window
shades instead. If curtains are used, they should be washed
monthly in hot water.
- humidifier
Avoid the use of humidifiers, dust mites grow best in
high humidity. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity in the
home less than 50 percent.
- furniture
Remove all upholstered (stuffed) furniture and replace
upholstered furniture with wooden or plastic furniture. Avoid
open bookshelves, as they are great dust catchers.
- sleeping and napping
Your child should nap or sleep only in his/her own bed,
which has been made dust free. When your child travels or
visits, he/she should take a non-allergic pillow with him/her.
- playing
If your child has asthma, do not allow him/her to jump
on furniture or beds nor wrestle on carpeted floors. Avoid
fabric toys or stuffed animals. If your child has stuffed
animals they should be machine washable and washed in hot
water or placed in the freezer overnight at least weekly.
Store toys in a closed toy chest.
- pollens
In many areas, pollens can be a problem from February through
November each year. If your child is allergic to pollen, during
pollen season it is important that you keep all car/house windows
closed and use the air conditioning.
- animal dander
Pets that have fur or feathers often cause allergy troubles.
If your child is allergic to animal dander (the "skin"
of the animal), it is best not to have pets and not to visit homes
where these types of pets are kept.
- mold/mildew
Mold and mildew grow in areas that are dark, humid, and have
poor ventilation.
- outdoors
Avoid damp, shady areas. Remove fallen leaves and avoid
cutting the grass.
- bathrooms and kitchens
Always use the exhaust fans when cooking or bathing. If
you do see mold/mildew, clean the area with cleansers made
with bleach.
- in the house
Use the air conditioner. Avoid using humidifiers, as mold/mildew
can grow in the water tank. If you must use a humidifier,
clean it daily with a bleach and water solution. Reduce indoor
humidity to less than 50 percent - use a dehumidifier, if
needed. Empty and clean the dehumidifier daily.
- cockroaches
Some people are very allergic to the substance the cockroach
leaves behind. Cockroaches are very common in warm climates and
in homes of people living in the city. However, even in climates
with much cooler temperatures, the use of central heat allows
the cockroaches to live. To avoid exposure to cockroaches, it
is best to use roach traps or a professional exterminator.
- exercise
Even though exercise is a common asthma trigger, your child
should not limit his/her participation in sports/exercise, unless
directed by a physician. Exercise is good for your health and
lungs. Some forms of exercise such as running long distances and
playing basketball may be harder for your child to do. Activities
such as swimming, golf, and karate are good choices for children
with asthma. However, persons with asthma should be able to participate
in most physical activities. Always make sure your child has a
warm-up and cool-down period before and after exercise. Using
a reliever medication 15 to 20 minutes before starting exercise
can be very helpful, as directed by your child's physician. Consult
your child's physician about exercise and asthma if this is a
problem for your child.
- irritants
- smoke
Do not allow family and friends to smoke anywhere inside
the house. Do not allow smoking in the car at any time. Smoke
is very irritating in an enclosed area and its odor may be
trapped in the car's upholstery for a long period of time
and continue to trigger symptoms. When eating out, always
sit in non-smoking sections of restaurants. You should also
have non-smoking childcare providers.
- strong perfumes/odors
Your child should avoid things that have a strong smell
such as cleaning products, perfumes, hair spray, tar, fresh
paint, gasoline, insect sprays, and room deodorizers.
More Information
Schneider Children's Hospital Division
of Allergy and Immunology
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