What Triggers Asthma Symptoms?
Asthma "triggers" are the things that make your asthma worse.
- Cool facts about triggers:
- - You might have different triggers from someone else who has asthma.
- - Sometimes the triggers can make your asthma worse right away, while other times they might not bother you until hours later.
Check out these common triggers and how to avoid them:
Allergic Triggers: |
Non-allergic triggers: |
Critters:
You might be allergic to pets and tiny microscopic insects called dust mites. Every breath you take in a home with pets is filled with allergens. Dust mites live in beds, pillows, blankets and carpets. Gross true fact: Old pillows can be full of dead mites!
- What you can do in your home:
- - Encase mattress and pillows in allergy-proof covers.
- - Keep your room clean: wash all bedding in hot water and dry at high temperatures every week, vacuum weekly (including mattress) with HEPA filter vacuum and remove stuffed animals from your bed.
- - Always keep pets out of your room.
- - Talk to your folks about reducing the humidity in your home and removing the carpeting in your room.
- What you can do with your pet:
- - The best solution by far is to have no pets in the home.
- - If you do have a pet and are not able to find a new home for it, wash your pet twice a week to reduce their allergens (easier with a dog than a cat) and brush and groom your pet regularly (better if someone without asthma does it).
- - Don't replace your pet after it's gone.
Pollen:
Pollen is made up of tiny particles that come off trees, grasses and weeds from spring to fall.
- What you can do:
- - Keep windows closed in home and car (use air conditioner if needed).
- - Some people may need to avoid going outside when the pollen levels are high - check pollen reports online or on tv.
- - People with allergies shouldn't cut the lawn.
Moulds:
Grow indoors all year in damp basements and bathrooms and outdoors from spring to fall. Moulds can't survive without moisture.
- What you can do:
- - Talk to your folks about reducing the humidity in your home.
- - Help keep your basement clutter free.
- - Always use the bathroom fan or open windows after a bath or shower.
Tobacco smoke:
Smoke is a big asthma trigger, so cigarette smoke avoidance should be #1. Smoke travels everywhere in a house, regardless of where someone smokes. It contains over 4000 chemicals, including known carcinogens and kills 45,000 people in Canada every year.
- What you can do:
- - Never allow smoking in your home or car at any time.
- - If there is a smoker in your home, they should smoke outside EVERY time, even when its +40 or -40 outside.
- - Avoid enclosed areas where smoking occurs.
- - Don't start smoking.
- - If you do smoke, quit.
Exercise:
Exercise can cause asthma symptoms BUT asthma should NOT usually stop you from exercising.
- What you can do:
- - Keep your asthma under control.
- - Warm up before and cool down after exercise.
- - Take a "reliever" medicine (usually a blue puffer) 5-10 minutes before exercising, if needed.
Air pollution:
Outdoor air pollution comes from many sources, including cars and industry. The highest pollution levels tend to be in the hot, humid days of summer.
- What you can do:
- - Reduce outdoor activity and keep car and home windows closed when pollution levels are high.
Colds and the Flu:
Cold and flu viruses often lead to asthma symptoms.
- What you can do:
- - Get a flu shot every year.
- - Wash your hands regularly, especially after being in public.
- - Avoid touching your nose, eyes or mouth while in public.
- - If possible, avoid people who have colds or the flu.
- - Always keep your asthma under control so that if you do get a cold or the flu, it will be less likely to cause worsening asthma symptoms.
- - Eat a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly (every day if possible).
Aspirin and Similar Medicines:
Aspirin (ASA) or similar medicines (eg. Ibuprofen) can cause asthma symptoms.
- What you can do:
- - Avoid aspirin and all medicines that contains ASA if it makes your asthma worse.
- - Always read medicine ingredient listings to make sure any over the counter medications like cold medicines you're using don't contain Aspirin.
