| Asthma triggers are allergens and irritants that can cause breathing problems in a person who is sensitive to them. Asthma triggers are
different for each person, and they may even change throughout a person’s life. Most people with asthma have more than one trigger. Occurring both outdoors and indoors, these
triggers must be identified by your health care provider. A combination of the right medications and a program to avoid the triggers that are specific for an individual can
minimize the risk of an asthma episode.
Allergens:
Dust mites are too small to be seen easily, but they can cause a lot of problems for a person with asthma. They are found in almost every home. They live in
mattresses and bedding materials, carpets, upholstered furniture, stuffed toys and curtains. When these items are disturbed or moved about, the droppings, skins and egg shells
of these tiny insects get into the air and can be inhaled. These substances contain proteins which can trigger an asthma episode in persons who are sensitive to them.
Mold can grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that provide enough moisture and food for them to grow. In the home, mold is most
commonly found in the bathroom, kitchen and basement.
Cockroach body parts, secretions and droppings, as well as the urine, droppings and the saliva of pests, such as rodents, are often found in areas where food
and water are present. Roaches are particularly troublesome in apartments because living quarters are connected through water pipes and heating ducts. Problems with cockroaches
occur primarily in kitchens, but they can also be found in bedrooms and family rooms where food is consumed and crumbs fall to the floor or get down in the furniture.
Pet Dander (skin flakes) from furry animals such as dogs, cats and hamsters are found in homes where pets reside inside. Hair, saliva and urine from
furry pets may also be present. These substances may remain airborne for a period of time and cause a sensitivity reaction in asthmatics.
Irritants:
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. It is often found in homes and cars where
smoking is allowed. The smoke lingers in the environment, even when no one is smoking. For many people with asthma, cigarette smoke is a very powerful trigger.
Other airborne chemical irritants include scented or unscented cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics like hairspray and perfume, and air fresheners.
Nitrogen dioxide is an odorless gas that can be a byproduct of indoor fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, gas or oil furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and unvented kerosene or
gas space heaters. The burning of fossil fuels, i.e. gas and coal, in cars, buses and factories contributes to air pollution by adding harmful gases and small particles to the air that
we breathe. These substances can be a trigger for an asthma episode.
Indoor Air Pollution –
Air Quality Index
Environmental Protection Agency
Asthma and Indoor Environments Index
Clearing the Air of Asthma Triggers 10 Steps to Making Your Home Asthma-Friendly
Asthma In-Home Intervention
Asthma Home Environment Checklist
Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers - Nitrogen Dioxide (N2O)
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Indoor Allergens
American Lung Association
Indoor Air Quality Homepage
Includes a variety of indoor air quality publications related to asthma triggers, including:
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