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| Home > The Basics of Asthma > Asthma Triggers |
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Asthma triggers include allergens and irritants in the environment that can provoke asthma symptoms or attacks. There are many asthma triggers that can aggravate asthma symptoms, and they often differ from person to person.
You can help prevent asthma symptoms by identifying and avoiding your known asthma triggers. In fact, identifying and avoiding asthma triggers should be part of a detailed treatment plan to help successfully manage your asthma.
It may not be possible to completely eliminate all asthma triggers, but you should still try to remove as many asthma triggers as possible from your home and work areas. This can help you enjoy a healthier life with fewer asthma symptoms and attacks. Select the triggers below to find out how you can learn to avoid them.
Smoking
Do not allow smoking in the home or around you, especially in enclosed spaces like the bedroom or a car. Avoid smoke-filled areas. For more about asthma and smoking, click here.
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.
- Consider replacing old pillows with new ones.
- Wash the sheets and blankets on the bed each week in hot water. Water must be hotter than 130° F (this kills dust mites).
- Keep stuffed toys out of the bed and wash the toys regularly in hot water.
- Reduce room humidity to less than 50 percent.
- 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.
For more about pets, click here.
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 bait 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, and other sources of water.
- Clean mold off of surfaces with a cleaner that has bleach in it.
- Replace or wash moldy shower curtains.
- Reduce room humidity to less than 50 percent.
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 windows closed during the midday and afternoon, if you can, because pollen and some mold spore counts are highest at that time.
- Ask your healthcare professional if you need to adjust your current asthma treatment regimen before your allergy season starts.
Exercise
If your asthma is well controlled, you can still be active. See your healthcare professional if you have asthma symptoms when you are active.
- 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.
For more about exercise, click here.
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 every year.
- 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 while outdoors on cold, wintery 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 asthma triggers
Food allergies and sulfites in foods: For example, do not drink beer or wine or eat shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes or other foods if they cause asthma symptoms.
Some medicines: Tell your healthcare professional about all of the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, cold medicines, nonsteroidal medicines (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and even eye drops.
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