Tyler just found out that he has
asthma
. His mom and dad told him that they are going to have to make some
changes around the house, but what does their house have to do with
his asthma?
What's a Trigger?
People with asthma have what is called a chronic (say:
krah
-nik), or continuing, problem with their airways (the breathing
tubes in the
lungs
), which can get swollen and full of
mucus
. This problem is made worse by asthma
triggers
.
Triggers can be things like:
- pollen (the fine dust from plants)
- dust mites (tiny insects that live in dust)
- mold (a type of small living thing that lives and grows in
damp places)
- stuff in the air (like smoke)
Triggers don't hurt most people, but they can make people
with asthma cough, wheeze, and have trouble breathing. Triggers
don't cause asthma (no one knows exactly what does) but they
can lead to asthma flare-ups. Your doctor will help you figure out
what your triggers are.
As you probably already guessed, the idea is to control the
triggers in your house. This is especially important in rooms where
you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom.
The Air Indoors
Keeping the air at home clean is important. It can contain
irritants (say: ir-uh-tunts), such as:
-
tobacco smoke
or woodsmoke
- perfumes
- aerosol sprays (say:
ar
-uh-sol; some kinds of hairspray and cleaners come in aerosol
cans)
- cleaners
- the smell given off by paint or some gases
Air pollution and pollen are triggers that can come into your
home from outside if you leave your windows and doors open in
warmer weather.
How can your family make sure the indoor air is clean?
- Don't allow anyone to smoke in the house.
- Avoid wood fires in the fireplace or wood stove.
- Run the air conditioning because it filters the air.
- Keep the windows shut when there's a lot of pollen or air
pollution outside (an adult can help you figure this out).
Dealing With Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny insects that live in dust. You'll find
lots of them where there is food, in some kinds of bedding, and in
rugs. Bedrooms usually have the most dust mites in a house.
You and your family won't be able to get rid of all the dust
mites at home but there are some steps you can take if they are a
trigger for your asthma:
- Vacuum and dust (especially your bedroom) at least once a
week.
- Stay away from feather or down pillows or comforters.
- Every few weeks, wash all of your bedding in hot water and
then dry it on a high setting.
- Get special covers for your mattresses, pillows, and box
springs.
- Get rid of carpeting, especially wall-to-wall or shag
carpeting in your room.
- Clean up the clutter in your room. Get rid of knickknacks,
picture frames, and stuffed animals that collect dust. If you
can't part with them, store them somewhere other than your
room.
Making Mold Dry Up
Mold is a type of tiny living thing that is kind of like a
plant. It grows very well in damp places like bathrooms and
basements. Mold makes more mold by sending what are called spores
into the air. Mold spores can be an asthma trigger.
The key to getting rid of mold in your home is keeping things as
dry as possible. Your parents can:
- Run a dehumidifier (say: dee-hyoo-
mih
-duh-fy-ur; this is a machine that dries out the air) in the
basement or other damp areas.
- Get rid of wallpaper and wall-to-wall carpeting in bathrooms
and basement rooms.
- Run the air conditioner.
- Get rid of houseplants, which may have mold in their
soil.
- Clean visible mold or mildew with a bleach solution.
- Replace or wash moldy shower curtains.
Coping With Cockroach and Animal Allergens
Animals can be a big asthma trigger. The animal parts that can
trigger asthma symptoms are dander (which are skin flakes - kind of
like dandruff), saliva, urine, and feathers.
And pets aren't the only living triggers at home -
cockroaches can be a major asthma trigger that can be difficult to
avoid in apartments.
Unfortunately, if your pet is an asthma trigger for you, you may
need to find another home for the animal. Short of that, these
steps may be taken, but they are not as effective.
- Keep pets outside. At the very least, keep them out of your
bedroom.
- Have someone else wash and brush your pet every week.
- Don't play with or touch your pet and stay far away from
the litter box.
- Ask other people in your household to wash their hands after
touching your pet.
- If you have an animal that lives in a cage, keep it in a room
that you don't spend time in. Someone other than you should
clean the cage daily.
Cold-blooded pets, such as turtles, lizards, snakes, and fish
are all OK for kids with asthma.
If cockroaches are a problem:
- Don't save boxes, paper bags, or newspapers.
- Don't leave open food or dirty dishes lying around your
kitchen. Keep counters free of crumbs or spills.
- Keep garbage containers closed and wash recyclables before
putting them in the bin.
You want to be comfortable at home - where you spend most of
your time - so try to remove as many asthma triggers as you can.
When your house doesn't cause asthma flare-ups, it's really
home, sweet home!
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: June 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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