Environmental

Animal Allergy

Asthma and Exercise

Dust Avoidance

Mold Avoidance

Asthma Trigger Control Plan

What are Triggers?

Because you have asthma, your airways are very sensitive. They may react to things called triggers (things that can cause asthma episodes). Your breathing tubes may become swollen, tighten up, and make a lot of mucus when around triggers. This will make it harder for you to breathe.

It is important to find out what your asthma triggers are and learn ways to avoid them.

If you are allergic - AVOID allergens (some are out in wee hours of the morning).

OUTDOOR ALLERGEN

Pollens, Molds and Spores

• Try to stay indoors during the midday and afternoon when pollen count is high.
• Use air conditioning, if possible.
• Keep windows closed during seasons when pollen and mold are highest.
• Avoid sources of molds (wet leaves, garden debris, mulch).

INDOOR ALLERGEN

• House Dust Mites: tiny spider-like mites
• Mold Spores
• Animal dander
• Cockroach allergen

These are actions you can take to gain control of dust mites:

• Cover your mattress and box spring in an airtight plastic cover.
• Cover your pillow in an airtight cover.
• Wipe covers once a week with a wet soapy cloth.
• Window treatments in the bedroom should be cleaned or washed weekly. A window shade with stripes or decals for decoration can replace curtains.
• Use the bedroom closet for clothing currently in use. Do not store old clothing or shoes there.
• Dust the bedroom daily with a damp cloth. Weekly use a damp mop to reach places such as tops of door and window frames, tops of lamp shades and closet shelves.
• Avoid sleeping or lying on overstuffed furniture.
• Remove carpets. Bare floors are best, but washable throw rugs can be used if laundered weekly.
• Wash your bedding and stuffed toys once a week in hot water (130 degrees F). Be sure to decrease temperature after washing - may scald)
• Stuffed animals may be placed in the freezer overnight once a week to kill mites.
• Reduce indoor humidity too less than 70%. Use a dehumidifier if needed.
• Keep furnace filters clean - dirt clogged filters may cause dust to be blown into the house.

These actions may help but are not absolutely necessary in every instance.

• Indoor Molds
• Keep bathrooms and kitchens well aired.
• Clean bathrooms and kitchens regularly.
• DO NOT use humidifiers.
• Reduce indoor humidity to less than 70%. Use a dehumidifier if needed.
• Animal Dander - Dander is the flakes from the skin. There is no such thing as an allergen-free dog. The length of a pet's hair does not matter. The allergen is in the saliva (cats), urine (rats), and dander (cats and dogs).
• Remove the animal from the house or school classroom or daycare.
• If you must have a pet, keep the pet out of the bedroom at all times.
• If there are forced-air vents in the home with a pet, close the air ducts to the bedroom.
• Wash the pet weekly - may work even with cats.
• Avoid visits to friends or relatives with pets.
• Choose a pet without fur or feathers (fish or snake).
• Avoid products made with feathers (pillows, comforters).
• Avoid overstuffed pillows.
• Cockroach Allergen
• You may use insect sprays, but have someone else spray while you are out of the house.
• Air out the home for a few hours after spraying.
• Use roach traps.
• Use odorless sprays.
• Remove food sources.

IRRITANTS

• Tobacco Smoke
• DO NOT SMOKE.
• DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING IN THE HOME OR THE CAR.
• Have household members smoke outside if they must smoke.
• Wear a smoking jacket outside and leave the jacket outside.
• Wash your hands when returing indoors after smoking.
• Wood Smoke
• Avoid using a wood burning heat stove or wood fireplace.
• Avoid using kerosene heaters.
• Strong Odors and Sprays
• Do not stay in your home when it is being painted.
• Avoid perfume and perfumed cosmetics such as talcum powder and hair spray.
• Do not use room deodorizers.
• Use non-perfumed household cleaning products.
• Reduce strong cooking odors by using a fan and opening windows.
• Avoid use of cleaning compounds and insect sprays while you are in the home.
• Air Pollutants
• Avoid air pollution by staying indoors on days when the pollution count is high.

OTHER

• Colds and Infections
• Avoid people with colds or the flu.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get a flu shot every year. Intranasal flu vaccine not recommended
• Do not take over the counter cold remedies without talking to your doctor first.
• Exercise
• Work out a medicine plan with your doctor that allows you to exercise without symptoms.
• Warm up before doing exercise and cool down afterwards.

REMEMBER: Making these changes will help keep asthma episodes from starting. An asthma trigger control plan is an important part of controlling asthma.

AVOIDANCE OF THINGS THAT MAKE YOU WHEEZE MAKES SENSE!