Asthma Triggers

Asthma trigger is any thing which irritates the airways. Asthma triggers are the factors which:

1.  Can trigger an asthma attack.
2.  Can cause asthma symptoms.
3.  Can aggravate asthma symptoms.

Some important facts you should know about asthma triggers:

1.  Avoiding asthma triggers is an important part of asthma treatment.
2.  Your asthma triggers may vary from other asthma patients; different asthma patients have different asthma triggers.
3.  For any asthma patient, there may be one or more asthma triggers.

Some important asthma triggers are given below:

Second Hand Smoking- An Asthma Trigger

If a person is smoking, and a second person inhales the smoke, it is called "second hand smoking". Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful substances that can badly affect human health; smoking is also an important asthma trigger for asthma patients.

Its quite easy for adults to avoid tobacco smoke but, when it comes to children it becomes quite difficult. So, if your child is asthmatic, you should take some measures to prevent the exposure of your child to smoke. Some of the important actions you can take in this regard are:

1.  If you smoke, don't smoke inside your house or in your car. (Better quit smoking for the sake of your child).
2.  Don't let your relatives and friends smoke inside your house.
3.  Paste a "NO SMOKING" sign on the main door of your house.
4.  Remove ash-trays from your home.
5.  Make sure your child's school is smoke free.
6. Educate your child about how to avoid smoke.  

Dust Mites - Asthma Trigger

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in house dust and may act as asthma triggers for asthma patients. They live in areas of high humidity. You can take the following measures to get rid of dust mites:

1. Keep humidity low by using a dehumidifier or air conditioning. 
2. Use mattress covers and pillowcase covers to make a barrier between dust mites and yourself. 
3. Wash bedding in hot water once a week. Dry completely.
4. Remove all carpets and replace with hard flooring if possible.
5. Vacuum the floors and furniture as often as possible.
6. Choose stuffed toys that you can wash. Wash stuffed toys in hot water. Dry completely before your child plays with the toy.
7. Don’t use down-filled pillows, quilts, or comforters.
8. Dust often with a damp cloth. 

It means that the more you keep your house clean, the more you will be able to get rid of dust mites.

If your asthma symptoms do not improve with these measures, there is no point continuing with
these measures.

Pets And Animal Dander - Asthma Triggers

Proteins in your pet's skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva and hair can act as asthma triggers for asthma patients. The asthma symptoms can take two or more years to develop and asthma symptoms may not subside until months after ending contact with the animal. If you think that your pet is acting as an asthma trigger for you or for your child, the best solution is to remove the pet from your house. But if its not possible, you can should the following measures:

1. Keep pets out of the room of the asthmatic patient, or out of the home building if possible. 
2. Keep pets off of your furniture and carpets.
3. Wash your pets every week. Ask your vet for advice on how to do this properly.
4. Vacuum carpets and furniture when the person with asthma is not around.
5. If your floors have a hard surface, such as wood or tile, and are not carpeted, damp mop them every week.
   

Outdoor Air Pollution - Asthma Triggers

You may have noticed that your or your child asthma symptoms get worse when the outdoor air is polluted; this is because outdoor air pollution may act as asthma trigger for asthma patients. There are two types of air pollutants that can act as asthma triggers:

1) Ozone: 

It is present in smog. It comes from car exhaust, smoke, road dust and factory emissions.

2) Particle pollution: 

It is present in haze, smoke, and dust. Particle pollution are higher near busy roads and where people burn wood.

If you are an asthma patient, you should first determine whether you are sensitive to outdoor air pollution or not. You can do so in the following ways:

1. Notice whether your asthma symptoms are worse when you are physically active.
2. Notice whether your asthma symptoms occur more often when the air is polluted.
3. Notice whether your asthma symptoms begin after you have been outdoor in the polluted air.

If you think outdoor air pollution is acting as an asthma trigger for you or your child, you can take the following measures to avoid outdoor air pollution:

1) Know when and where air pollution will be bad:

Ozone level is usually high on hot summer days, especially in the afternoons and early evenings. 

Particle pollution can be high any time of the year. It is especially high:

      • Near busy roads
      • Around factories
      • When there is smoke in the air from wood stoves, fireplaces, or burning vegetation.

You can monitor the air quality on your local weather report. Another good source is Enviroflash.

2) Plan activities when and where pollution levels are lower:

1. Asthma patients should do regular exercise to stay healthy.
2. In summer, try restricting your vigorous activities to the morning.  
3. Do exercise away from busy roads, and industrial areas.
4. On hot, smoggy days when ozone level is high, do exercise indoors.
5. Stay inside with the windows closed on high pollen days and when pollutants are high. 
6.  If you start to see asthma warning signs, try to limit the outdoor activities.

3) Keep your medicines with you:

You should have your quick-relief asthma medicines with you when you are active outdoors. In this way, if you develop asthma symptoms, you would be prepared.

4) Keep indoor atmosphere clean:

  • Use your air conditioner to help filter the air coming into the home. Central air systems are the best.
  • Remove the indoor plants if you think they are producing asthma symptoms for you or your family.

5) Talk to your doctor:

If you develop asthma symptoms when the outdoor atmosphere is polluted, talk to your doctor about it.

Molds and fungi - Asthma Triggers

Molds are fungi that produce slimy or fluffy growths in damp (humid) places and may act as asthma triggers for asthma patients. Just like plants produce seeds, fungi produce and release spores into the air which when inhaled can trigger asthma symptoms. Molds are not only present inside the house but, they are also present outside your house.

Outside, molds can grow in:

• Piles of leaves
• Cut grass
• Stagnant water
• Garbage containers
• Composters

Inside, you can find molds growing in:

• Basements
• Bathrooms
• Humidifiers
• Dehumidifiers
• Old houses
• Cottages

You can take the following measures to prevent exposure to outside molds:

1. Remove piles of grass immediately from your lawn after its mowed.
2. Don't let the leaves accumulate in your lawn.
3. Keep garbage cans clean.
4. Remove the outdoor containers that contain stagnant water.
5. Ensure that eaves troughs on your house face away from the house.

 The following measures can be taken to prevent exposure to indoor molds:

1. Monitor the humidity level of your home with hygrometer; keep the humidity level between 40-45%. The humidity level can be kept low with an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.
2. Keep your home well ventilated. Use exhaust fans or open a window in the bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking or washing dishes.
3. Remove carpets from your home if possible. If you wanna keep them, make sure to vacuum them thoroughly and frequently through vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. 

If sprays are used:
o  Limit the spray to infested area.
o  Carefully follow instructions on the label.
o  Make sure there is plenty of fresh air when you spray, and keep the
person with asthma out of the room.

Wood smoke - Asthma Trigger

 

Wood smoke contain harmful gases and small particles which can act as asthma triggers for asthma patients. So, asthma patients should avoid wood smoke.Following measures can be taken in this regard:

1. Burn only dry wood that has been stored for at least 6 months.
2. A certified professional should check your chimney to make sure there are no gapes or cracks.
3. Replace old wood stove with a new one. Newer wood stoves are at least 50% more efficient and pollute 70% less than older models.

It will not only help you controlling your asthma but will also cut fuel costs.

Food and Food Additives - Asthma Triggers

Though not common, some foods may act as asthma triggers for asthma patients. Some of the foods that may act as asthma triggers are:

• Eggs
• Cow's milk
• Peanuts
• Soy
• Wheat
• Fish
• Shrimp and other shellfish
• Salads & fresh fruits
• Bottled lime or lemon juice
• Wine, beer

Sulfite additives, such as sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite may also act as asthma triggers.

Nitrogen Dioxide - An Asthma Trigger

Nitrogen dioxide is an odorless gas that may act as as asthma trigger for asthma patients. This harmful gas is formed by appliances that burn fuel such as gas, kerosene and wood. Actions you can take to avoid contact to this gas:

1. Use fuel-burning appliances that are vented to the outside.
2. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use these appliances.
3. Use exhaust fan and open the windows and door while cooking.
4. Don't use stove to keep you warm.