How to Prevent Asthma Triggers in Your Home
posted by The Live Better Team | September 19, 2017
Asthma triggers vary from one person to another, and avoiding known triggers plays a large role in asthma management. Here are some tips to keep your home and family free of asthma triggers, along with some of the most common triggers out there.
Asthma Triggers
Common asthma triggers include:
Now let’s look at some of the specific causes of these triggers, and how you can protect yourself and your family from them.
Household Fumes
Various kinds of smoke and fumes can trigger an asthma attack, including gas, wood or kerosene stoves along with exhaust from cars or busses. All fuel-burning appliances can produce nitrogen dioxide, which can’t be smelled but can irritate the airways and trigger asthma. Some tips for staying free of these kinds of fumes include:
Chemicals
Common household products like cleaning supplies, paint, pesticides, perfumes and soaps can trigger asthma. Here are some tips, particularly involving children:
Pets, Cockroaches and Mold
Allergies to pets, pests and mold can be common asthma triggers, especially for children. Some tips for reducing exposure include:
Smoke
Secondhand smoke is a common asthma trigger, and even the smell of smoke can cause breathing issues for some children. Tips to avoid smoke include:
If you or a family member is struggling with asthma triggers around the home, your doctor can offer additional recommendations for prevention.
I practice the full range of family medicine including obstetrics, pediatrics, adolescent medicine and adult medicine. I also practice some orthopedics, remove lumps and bumps, and perform colposcopy, cryotherapy and vasectomies.
Sources:
“Avoiding Common Household Asthma Triggers.” WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/children/guide/asthma#1
“Asthma Triggers and Management.” American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/asthma-triggers-
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.