Asthma Triggers

An asthma attack can occur when you are exposed to things in the environment such as house dust mites and tobacco smoke -- these are called asthma triggers. Other types of triggers include pets, mold, stress and pollen.

Some of the most important triggers, and actions you can take to counteract them, are listed below.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (secondhand smoke)

• Parents, friends, and relatives of children with asthma should try to stop smoking and should never smoke around a person with asthma.
• Parents, friends, and relatives of children with asthma should smoke outdoors and not in the family home or car.
• Persons with asthma should avoid smoky places.

Dust Mites and Dust

Dust mites are in almost everybody’s home, but they don’t cause everybody to have asthma attacks.

• Use mattress covers and pillow case covers.
• Don’t use down-filled pillows, quilts, or comforters.
• Remove stuffed animals and clutter from your bedroom.
• Damp mop hard floor surfaces every week.

Outdoor Air Pollution and Irritants

• Pay attention to air quality forecasts and plan your activities for when air pollution levels will be low.
• Avoid irritants such as perfume, cosmetics, strong cleaning products, paints, aerosols and new carpeting or furniture with odors.

Cockroach Allergen

• Remove as many water and food sources as you can because cockroaches need food and water to survive.
• Vacuum or sweep areas that might attract cockroaches at least every 2 or 3 days.
• Use roach traps or gels to decrease the number of cockroaches in your home.

Pets

• Find a new home for your pet or keep pet(s) out of the bedroom and living areas.
• Bath pets weekly.
• Keep outside as much as possible.
• Vacuum carpets often.
• Damp mop hard floor surfaces every week.  

Mold

• Keep the humidity level in your home between 35% and 50%.
• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier or both.
• Fix water leaks.

Emotions

Stress and anxiety can trigger an attack.

• Use relaxation techniques.
• Provide reassurance.

Exercise

Asthma should not stop you doing any type of exercise as long as you:

• Consult your doctor.
• Keep your asthma well controlled.
• Take the correct medicine.
• Work up to your sport gradually.

Cold and Flu

• Wash hands.
• Avoid people with colds or the flu.
• Get a flu shot.

Foods and Additives

• Avoid foods that trigger attacks.
• Consult your doctor.

Pollen

• Avoid outdoors when pollen counts are high.
• Avoid outdoor activities that produce high amounts of pollen (i.e., lawn work).

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Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). You Can Control Your Asthma. A Guide to Understanding Asthma and its Triggers. Retrieved 08/08 from http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/pdfs/asthma_brochure.pdf