Triggers

SMOKING

Cigarette smoke makes your asthma worse by irritating your airways and causing them to narrow. To reduce your exposure to smoke, try the following:

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• If you smoke and have asthma, the best thing you can do is quit.

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• Ask people not to smoke around you.

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• If a family member smokes and refuses to quit, ask that person not to smoke inside the house, the car, and any enclosed spaces.

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DUST MITES

Dust mites are tiny bugs you cannot see that live in cloth and carpet. To reduce the number of dust mites in your house, try the following:

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• Encase your mattress and pillow in a special dust-proof cover.

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• Replace old pillows with new ones.

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• Wash your sheets and blankets each week in water hotter than 130°F.

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• Keep stuffed animals and toys out of your bed.

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• Wash stuffed animals and toys regularly in water hotter than 130°F.

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• Reduce room humidity to less than 50 percent by using a dehumidifier.

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PETS

Some people are allergic to the dander (the flakes of skin) or dried saliva that come from animals with fur or feathers. If your symptoms get worse around pets, try the following tips:

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• If you cannot keep pets out of your home, which can be hard to do, keep your pet out of your bedroom by keeping your bedroom door closed.

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• Place filters on the air vents in your bedroom.

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• Remove carpets and furniture covered with cloth from your home.

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• If you can’t remove carpets and cloth-covered furniture, keep your pets out of the rooms where these are located.

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COCKROACHES

Many people with asthma are allergic to the dried droppings and remains of cockroaches.

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• Keep all food out of your bedroom.

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• Keep food and garbage in closed containers (never leave food out).

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• Use bait or traps to eliminate cockroaches.

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• If a spray is used to kill roaches, stay out of the room until the odor goes away.

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INDOOR MOLD

Moisture causes mold, so getting rid of excess water in your house or workplace may help get rid of mold.

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• Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and other sources of water.

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• Clean mold off of surfaces with a cleaner that has bleach in it.

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• Replace or wash moldy shower curtains.

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• Reduce room humidity to less than 50 percent.

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STRONG ODORS, SPRAYS, AND WOOD SMOKE

If you have asthma, you may be very sensitive to strong odors or chemicals in the air.

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• If possible, do not use a wood-burning stove, kerosene heater, or fireplace.

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• Try to stay away from strong odors and sprays, such as perfume, talcum powder, hair spray, and paints.

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• Ask your family members to limit their use of perfumed products.

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POLLEN OR OUTDOOR MOLD

Allergy season can be hard if you have asthma and allergies. During your allergy season, you should:

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• Try to keep your windows closed.

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• Stay indoors with your windows closed during the late morning and afternoon hours, if possible, because pollen and some mold spore counts are highest at that time.

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• Ask your doctor if you need to adjust your current asthma treatment regimen before your allergy season starts.

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EXERCISE

If you can prevent most asthma symptoms, you can still be active and participate in sports or other athletic activities.

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• Warm up for about 6 to 10 minutes before you exercise by stretching or walking.

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• Cool down afterward.

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• Pace yourself and don’t do too much.

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• Make sure to take any prescribed medication according to instructions from your doctor.

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COLDS AND INFECTIONS

If colds and infections trigger your asthma, try the following:

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• Talk with your healthcare professional about developing a treatment plan to follow when you start feeling sick.

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• Get a flu shot every year.

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• Get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and drink plenty of fluids.

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• Avoid contact with others who have colds or the flu.

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WEATHER

If you are sensitive to very cold or very hot temperatures, try the following:

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• Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf while outdoors on cold, wintry days.

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• If warm weather irritates you, try to avoid other triggers during very hot days, such as high pollen or mold counts. Use the air conditioner during those days rather than opening windows.

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OTHER

Many people find that their allergies to food or medicines trigger their asthma symptoms. If you have been suffering from flare-ups, take a look at what you are eating and drinking, as well as any medication you may be taking. Some common culprits are:

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• Beer

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• Wine

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• Shrimp

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• Dried fruit

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• Some medicines, including over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, cold medicines, nonsteroidal pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), and even eye drops

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Find out more about triggers.