THE 12 Deadly Asthma Triggers: 52 Ways To Safeguard Your Home From An Attack

Asthma triggers may be the ultimate cause of asthma attacks because they are responsible for irritating and inflaming the lungs. When an asthma attack is triggered by an allergen, such as perfume, food, dust, etc., your breathing becomes compromised. 

Knowing what your personal triggers are and avoiding them can greatly help to prevent asthma attacks. 

To make things more confusing, an asthma trigger can cause a mild reaction one day or a more severe reaction on another day.  This could be the result of being exposed to multiple triggers or increased exposure to the same allergen.  For example occupational asthma can develop after years of exposure to a toxic agent such as asbestos.

Asthma triggers are different for everyone. Identifying them can be rather complex and requires a bit of detective work.  Keep track of your asthma attacks by writing a journal for a few weeks. This will show when you are most vulnerable. 

Once you track your triggers down, you can eliminate or minimize them at home, school, or work. 

Ultimately you will learn how to control and prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean environment that is free of deadly asthma triggers.

Hazardous Asthma Triggers At Home

An asthma trigger can be a deadly, silent enemy when it comes to your health. It can be any food, smell, or drink that sets off an attack. If you are sensitive to a substance and don’t know it, then you will become an unsuspecting victim.

There are many environmental factors that can trigger or set off an asthma attack. A number of studies have found that exposure to one of these factors has a high correlation to developing symptoms. 

Asthma Trigger #1: Dust 

Dust lingers in the bedroom, kitchen, and the living room and it is one of the main causes for asthma attacks that happen in the home. The more dust that you have in your home, the more frequent attacks will happen. The home environment is very important for anyone with asthma so you should always be aware of the dust level in your home. 

Dust is troublesome for asthmatics because of the allergens that it carries.

Dust has bacteria that forms a byproduct called endotoxins and this is dangerous for asthmatics. It is this byproduct that causes wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.  

A Clean Home Is Your Best Protection

Dust is in every home because it floats everywhere. Dust and dust particles flow through the tinniest places. Everyday appliances such as TV’s, stereos, computers, carpets, and upholstered furniture will collect dust and have to be cleaned often.  

Dust hides everywhere. The sooner that you can keep your home free from dust, the better it is for your health. These are some easy ways to keep the level down: 

• Use an air filter to lower the dust level.

To be perfectly honest … it is impossible to completely remove dust. 

The best that you can do is to use vent filtration covers, air cleaners, and allergy control products that bind to the dust. This will prevent the dust from becoming airborne and causing harm. 

• Do some research … and buy the best products.

There are many products out in sprays and powders that will help control these things.  They should be allergen-free and asthma-friendly. The Internet is a good place to start your looking for these products.  You can read about each one and learn how to use it to reduce dust and other allergens.

• Use products that trap dust and not spread around

Allergystore.com offers an allergy product called Eat My Dust that specifically made to clean dust from surfaces without spreading it around. De-Mite Eat my Dust is odor-less, non-greasy product that makes dusting a snap. You can visit safetreatmentsforasthma.com for more information.

Trigger #2: Dust Mites 

One of the most common causes of indoor allergy symptoms are dust mites.  They are microscopic animals that feed on dead skin cells. It’s estimated that up to 85% of asthma cases—eczema and hay fever too—are caused by their fecal matter and cast-off skins of these little critters. 

Dust Mites Are More Dangerous Than You Think

Each and every day, we shed dead skin. Sleeping is one area where these skin cells are most confined is our bed. This makes a great breeding ground for dust mites. To the average person, these microscopic bugs cause no problem. But for asthmatics, they can be deadly. 

These allergy triggers are only a couple microns in size – invisible to the naked eye.  They are abundant in almost all homes.  The dead skin cells we naturally exfoliate every day are the food source for these microscopic creatures. 

Dust mites are found a lot in the beds. Your box springs and mattress are normally covered with millions of dust mites that you cannot see. Dust mites will stay alive in your bedding by living off the sheds of skin from your body. Be sure to keep the mattress, box springs, and pillows encased with a zipper closing. 

Body heat and moisture will cause dust to thrive and multiply in on them.  Controlling dust mites can partly be done with humidity control in the home. Dust mites will die when the humidity is below 50%. Low humidity will control their numbers. 

Simple Steps To Fight Dust Mites

Protective measures can be taken to limit exposure to dust mite and reduce their effect in the home.  Here are a few ideas to limit dust mites in your bedroom:

1. Encase your mattress and pillows with a zippered hypoallergenic allergen barrier that blocks any particles larger than 1 micron in size.  Doing this will eliminate new mites from populating these areas and will lock in dust mites that are already living there, keeping you free from their allergens. 
2. At least once every week, wash your sheets in very hot water.  The water should be at least 130°F.  If your bedding is made of fabrics that cannot be washed in hot water, you can put it in the freezer for one to two days, which will effectively kill dust mites.  Every 2 to 4 weeks, you should also wash blankets and mattress pads.
3. It is recommended that severe allergy sufferers completely cover their box springs and their comforters or duvets with dust mite covers as these creatures can infest these two areas as well.
4. Keep the temperature in your home and especially in your bedroom below 70°F if possible and the humidity below 50 percent because dust mites thrive in warm, humid climates.  Leaving your sheets unmade each morning allows them to dry out and keeps the bed cooler. In addition, dust mites are photophobic, afraid of the light so they are less likely to settle in an unmade bed exposed to sunlight. 

Trigger #3: Mold 

Mold will grow on any surface that is not kept dry. There is literally no surface that is safe from its existence. Mold develops in areas where dampness resides. 

Mold grows in bathrooms, around kitchen sinks and inside walls. Mold comes from dampness. Being around trees, rotten logs, hay, leafs, mulch, any place that there is moisture can subject you to mold. In your home, you will find mold in the showers, as well as the shower curtains, around the window frames, and maybe in your basement.

All Mold Is Considered Dangerous When Left Undisturbed 

Mold can be lethal for anyone with asthma allergies. Since certain individuals are allergic to mold which can grow both indoors or outdoors. It can lead to a dangerous situation and should be dealt with immediately. 

Indoor mold are commonly found in bathrooms, humidifiers, basements, and old houses. This type of fungus is prevalent in any area that is dark, cool, and damp. Hazardous or not, fungus is unsightly and can ruin the surface it inhabits. Getting rid of all fungus and its spores from your home is nearly impossible once it has taken root.  

Outdoor mold can grow in composters, garbage cans, stagnant water, cut grass, and piles of leaves. By keeping these areas clean and dry, you can avoid many breathing problems that are associated with mold. 

Certain mold and mildew products can safely remove these allergens without adding new chemicals into your home. Controlling fungus is not difficult if certain things are done. The best way to keep this fungus under control is to prevent it before it happens.

Mold and Mildew Can Be Reduced With The Right Cleaning Products

You can deter the growth of fungus by keeping all areas dry and free from moisture. Remove as much of the visible fungus as possible and clean the entire area with a safe mold and mildew cleaner. 

Mold and mildew can be significantly reduced with the right cleaning products. 

You can deter the growth of fungus by keeping all areas dry and free from moisture. Bleach is one of the best defenses we have against this infectious agent. But it has a toxic smell and is caustic to skin.

This will kill the mold on the walls like in your bathroom and basement. 

Currently there are test kits that can detect mold, mildew, lead, and carbon monoxide. Test kits are a convenient way to check for allergens that can trigger your asthma symptoms. They are simple, fast, and show what you can’t see with the naked eye.

Trigger #4: Pet Dander 

Sixty percent of people in America come into contact with animals. It is very common for people to have allergies to animals. Fifteen to thirty percent of people who suffer from allergies or asthma are allergic to cats or dogs.  

Asthmatics with severe allergies can have an asthma attack when exposed to pet dander. The body's reaction to the animals is caused by a certain protein found in the animal's saliva, urine, or dander.  For some reason, cat allergies are actually twice as common as dog allergies.

Pet Dander Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

People aren't really allergic to the pet's fur but to the allergen that sticks to the fur, carpeting furniture … basically anywhere your pet has been.  Also, these microscopic flakes of dander travel through the air.  As a matter of fact, studies show that these allergens can stay in the air even 3 years after an animal has been in the home.  

Many ask if there are any breeds of animals that people are not allergic to.  The answer is, since all animals have dead skin there are no non-allergic breeds.  People may be more tolerant of certain breeds of dogs than others but there is no such thing as 100% non-allergic.  

Any person who showed no symptoms when handling the pet at the store when buying will start to show symptoms after it has been home for a while, usually within a day.  

How To Keep Yourself Safe With A Pet Allergy

So what's the answer for people who want to have a pet but are allergic?  What can they do in order to have a pet?  Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is try to reduce your exposure to the allergens.  You're not going to be able to get rid of them completely.  

One thing you can do to try to prevent the accumulation of allergens is to clean the house as often as you can.  Make sure you vacuum with a cleaner that has a HEPA filter otherwise allergens are just going to end up getting spread into the air.  

Your pet should be kept out of your bedroom completely.  This may be hard for a real pet lover but it is essential.  When you brush your pet, wear a face mask.  Then change your clothes immediately afterward.  

Pet allergy control products are the perfect solution for anyone who wants to keep the favorite pet even if there is an asthma sufferer living at home. When you have a pet that you love, it can be difficult to separate yourself from your little friend. These products can help to asthma-proof your home so that an asthmatic can live safely.

Asthma Triggers At Work And School

In some areas, pollutants are the primary risk factors for individuals who suffer from asthma. One of the most significant factors for many asthma sufferers comes in the form of man-made pollutants. Unfortunately, many hazardous elements are frequently found at the workplace and school and can affect the lungs.

Trigger #5: Pollution

As outside air becomes more polluted, more people are getting allergies and asthma attacks. When the air outside is polluted, it is 100 times worse inside. Most people spend more time inside where the environment is void of fresh air. 

Do You Know What Is Lurking In The Air At Work or School?

Poor air is not only bad for healthy people but detrimental to those with breathing problems. Anyone with asthma and respiratory problems need clean air to help them live a normal life. Pollution can cause them to have headaches, fatigue, and irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat.

The workplace and school environment are very important for the health of people with asthma and allergies. If possible, air purifiers or cleaners should be used to clean out the air pollution that is floating around the office. Air filters will fill your work area with crisp and clean air while removing bacteria, mole, virus and fungi. 

Elimination Of Pollution Is Possible  

Eliminating harmful odors such as paint smell, aerosol sprays, and cleaning supplies is important and using a good air cleaner is essential for better air quality. Air filters benefit asthmatics by removing pollutants and eliminating many serious health issues. For more information, you should contact your doctor about your health risks. 

Trigger #6:  Smoke 

It is well known that cigarette smoke can provoke asthma symptoms or trigger an attack even in people who are not smokers themselves. 

Second-hand smoke, i.e. smoke that is being exhaled by smokers in close proximity to the person suffering from asthma, is known to cause asthma attacks. Smoke is an irritant that attacks the internal lining of the respiratory tract and often trigger an attack in anyone who is prone to asthma. 

Tobacco And Cigarette Smoke Are Also Well-Known Triggers 

People who smoke tobacco or cigarettes are more prone to having asthma than those people who don’t smoke.  However, non-smokers are not really free from the risks of breathing problems.  Inhaling and being exposed to second hand smoke can also cause an asthma attack. If you or a family member is a smoker, it is highly recommended to you stop smoking when there is an asthmatic in the home. 

If you smoke or know some who smokes in an environment where there is an asthmatic child you are risking the child’s health unnecessarily.  It is also widely known that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are likely to suffer from an attack. 

Although the best solution is to stop smoking, there are many air cleaners that can eliminate smoke. When there is an asthmatic living with a smoker, an air cleaner can severely reduce the risk of an asthma attack.

Seasonal Triggers Are Waiting

Allergy season spells trouble for millions of Americans.  Allergy season usually begins with mid-spring and ends with summer. During this time, a large amount of pollen impacts a certain amount of men and women. Another primetime is the period from late summer months to fall, when weed pollens flourish.

Asthma Trigger #7: Pollen

For many asthmatics, pollen happens to be a major problem. When the levels of pollen change, many people can have severe reactions when concentrations become too high. There are certain types  that have been known to aggravate asthmatic conditions.  

How Pollen Affects Asthmatics

One of the worst offenders for allergy and asthma sufferers is pollen. It is the natural byproduct of plants and trees and comes from natural elements such as grass, trees and weeds.  Most of the allergies that occur in the spring come from the pollen. If you get allergies in the summer, it is pollen from the grass. But you develop allergies from pollen in the late summer, it comes from ragweed. 

Your immune system may react during particular seasons when pollen and mold spread. These are the two biggest problems that people with asthma and allergies have to deal with in the great outdoors.  

You can go on the Internet and go to the weather site to find out where and when the high pollution season is when planning a vacation. You should have your inhaler close at hand and use long term preventative medication if the symptoms are severe. If it is necessary, you can have a calendar to see what is headed to your area during the high pollution seasons. 

Easy Ways To Control Pollen

When it comes to pollen, there are certain things that you can do to get some relief. When pollen count is high, you should try to avoid going outside on windy days when the wind is blowing the pollen around. This would be a good time to use you’re the air conditioner in your car as well as in your home. And once you are home, take a shower or bath.

Air cleaners can also protect asthmatics from pollen. Air cleaners continuously circulate air so that you always inhale fresh air. The best thing about air cleaners is that they can clear away dust and pollen in just minutes. So you don’t have to wait a long time for relief. Just plug it in and watch those dust particles disappear. 

This will stop the pollen from getting in your home making it easier for you to be comfortable. Although you cannot control the pollen count in the outdoors, you can manage the amount that lingers in your home. And this will allow you to manage your asthma symptoms at home.

Asthma Trigger #8: Extreme Weather 

Although weather and temperature are not touchable, they can cause a lot of problems in your lungs. When your body feels an extreme change in temperature, it can overreact.  The usual cells that attack foreign bodies get on the defense and cause the airways in your lungs to swell. 

Extreme Temperatures Can Be Bitter

When it is extremely cold and you have asthma, your breathing can be affected.  The delicate and sensitive lining of the lungs can feel the cold weather and overreact. Although there is no physical threat, a person with asthma may start to wheeze or feel short of breath. 

In extremely cold weather, air that reaches the lungs doesn't have a chance to warm up sufficiently. When we breathe normally through our noses, the air that reaches the lungs warms up during the passage.

Cool, dry air that reaches the lungs can irritate the bronchial tubes and the lining of the lungs. When that happens, the body releases histamines which result in inflammation. And this will eventually lead to breathing problems.

While the worst environment for an asthmatic is cold, dry air, any extreme hot or cold temperature can cause breathing problems. When it is humid out, the rainy outdoors promotes dust mites, mold, and pollen, which causes sensitivity to the immune system.

Warm Heat Reduces The Risk Of Having An Asthma Attack

A surrounding that is warm and humid can often open the lung airways and relieve symptoms  One of the other things to do is to use the inhaler prescribed by your doctor. As a precaution, you should use it thirty minutes before going into extreme cold weather. This action by itself will significantly reduce the chances of an asthma attack.

Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes. This cuts the chances of asthma being induced by changes in breathing patterns.

You should also dress warmly before going outdoors. When you stay warm, your body can better adjust to changes in weather. This reduces chances of asthma attacks. Also, ensure that you cool down after intensive exercise.

Consequently, you should avoid outdoor exercise when it is extremely cold. Rapid breathing in extreme weather can bring cold, dry into your lungs and increase your risk of an asthma attack. At the very least, use a face mask that covers your nose and mouth. Using a mask will trap warm, moist air near the nose and mouth so that the cold air can't get directly into your lungs and trigger an attack.

Silent Asthma Triggers

An allergy can be described as a malfunction of the immune system, an exaggerated response to certain substances. Your body mistakenly believes that something it has touched, smelled or eaten is harmful to it and your body releases massive amounts of chemicals, such as histamine to protect itself.

Asthma Trigger #9 Food Allergies 

More than 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies. These allergies are as varied as food itself is. The most common food allergies are generally eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts), fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Some children do grow out of some food allergies as they age, although allergies to peanuts, fish, shellfish and nuts are often considered lifetime allergies.

Symptoms Of Food Allergies May Vary

Symptoms of food allergies are varied and range from a tingling of the mouth to swelling of the tongue and throat to difficulty breathing. As with other types of allergies there is no cure for a food allergy. If you need to, you should seek the help of an allergist. He or she will perform a patch test to determine the exact cause of allergic reactions. This can serve as a guideline so that you can develop a diet based around your food allergies.

Avoid The Foods That Cause Allergies

This can be difficult, especially when eating out in a restaurant. Depending on the severity of allergy, even slight cross contamination of food products can cause reactions. There are ways to help you or your loved one manage food allergies. In the case of a milk or egg allergy there are alternatives that can be used when cooking or baking.

There are many online sites dedicated to supplying information, education and support to those with food allergies.

Asthma Trigger #10: Exercise 

Do you end up with wheezing, chough or other asthma symptoms after physical exertion? In some people, asthma is simply triggered by exercise.

Exercise generally helps people to keep a healthy and desirable body weight, boost the immune system, as well as strengthen and tone the muscles of the body.  Most people who exercise expect nothing but healthy benefits whenever they go to the gym, right?  

Exercise Can Be Hazardous To Asthmatics

In the case of exercise-induced asthma, going to the gym and trying hard to keep fit may be a no-no.  Individuals who suffer from exercise-induced asthma cannot handle the physical exertion. They are highly discouraged from performing in exercises that are strenuous to the body … and to the lungs.

When an individual gives his or her best in an exercise routine, it requires physical effort.  When a person exerts too much physical effort, the breathing pattern can change and become labored.  Sometimes this leads to a medical condition called exercise-induced asthma. Tightening of the chest, coughing and wheezing during or after exercise are some of the most common symptoms.

Exercise And Cold Air Can Be Deadly Combination

Exercising is considered to be a strenuous physical activity and can be hazardous for asthmatics. When people are exercise, they tend to breathe through their mouth and take in dry, cold air to enter the lower airways. Since the mouth was used for breathing, the nose did not have the chance to make the air warm and humid for the airways. 

People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma are also known to be very sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature.  Dry and cold air experienced during or after exercising is a common trigger for exercise-induced asthma.  

Individuals who suffer from exercise-induced asthma can reduce or prevent  asthma attack by avoiding excessive exercise.  Minor exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, leisure biking, free downhill skiing, hiking and stretching can somehow be tolerated by patients who have this condition.  But extreme physical sports such as basketball, soccer, long-distance running, and field hockey should be avoided to prevent future attacks.  

EIA Does Not Mean The End Of Your Fitness Plan

People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma attacks should also take extra effort to keep warm during cold weather.  Wearing a surgical mask or scarf over the nose and mouth can greatly help in decreasing the symptoms of EIAs by primarily warming the inhaled air.

When one is diagnosed with an exercise-induced asthma, it doesn't necessarily mean that he or she cannot participate in games, sports, and activities that mean a lot of fun.  These sports not only give asthmatics a way to relax and recreate but it also gives them a chance to improve, maintain and enhance their health by not living a sedentary lifestyle.  

If you enjoy exercise and want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can do this with the right fitness. As long as you maintain warm, humid air in your lungs, you can perform many types of exercise. 

If you do feel wheezing or shortness of breath, then stop the activity immediately and reach for your inhaler. You may need to talk to your physician about preventative medication so that you remain in a safe zone when performing this certain activity.

Even if you have asthma, you manage your symptoms with the right exercise regime.

Asthma Trigger #11: Perfume

Perfumes come in what seems like a never ending option of fragrances and aromas. For people with with asthma and allergies (such as seasonal or allergic reactions to dust) wearing perfume can be a struggle.

Like everyone else, people with allergies like to explore fragrances and make a statement.  However, it can be a challenge to find one that doesn’t trigger a bad reaction. A few basic hints can help anyone who is looking for perfume but not the breathing problems that accompany it. 

Whether you are talking about the scent itself or the application process, a light aroma has less likelihood of setting off an allergic reaction or asthma attack.  

A light application of a mild scent is easier for people to tolerate. n anything else and can free an individual from a scentless existence.

When shopping for a fragrance, bring a trusted friend with you. Explain what you are looking for and have them do most of the sniffing in an attempt to find the light aromas that are less likely to set you off. 

Simple Ways To Avoid Attacks From Perfumes

Wherever you choose to do your searching for the right perfume for you, make sure you choose a place that has a staffed counter so you can explain what you are looking for while minimizing exposure to other basic allergens.

*   Use Soft Scents

Musky and floral aromas tend to have a high concentration of allergy triggers. Softer oriental or woody scents carry the least likely reactive triggers. These can be difficult to determine if you are standing in an aisle with rows of scents such as you will find at a discount store. 

Ask permission to step a few feet from the counter so that you are not in the direct line of fire from other harsher scents that someone else is considering.

*  Plan A Perfume Shopping Trip 

If you live in a heavy smog environment, or a high pollen area, your available days may be limited. These are the days you probably wouldn’t be able to wear any perfume anyway. Walking into the store with allergy or asthma symptoms is not a solid platform for trying to find a perfume you can tolerate.

While a sales person may try to sell you a popular scent, it is best to turn it down. A reaction could be immediate or take 10-20 minutes to occur. It is better to prevent an attack then to have to try to stop it. 

*  Try Out A Few Light Colognes

Sometimes different water alcohol base level in cologne makes it easier for an individual to tolerate an aroma. Perfumes have a higher concentration of oils so their scent is stronger. There are plenty of feminine scented colognes to choose from. Again, ask a staffed counter individual for assistance.

Perfumes are like people. They are each different and have special chemistries. You can perform a trial and error with each scent to find the right one for you. It should be one that is pleasant to your nose but won’t irritate your lungs.

If you should experience an allergic reaction, then your shopping experience will come to an end. Since it will be impossible for you to tell which scent caused the reaction, you will have to save your shopping expedition for another time. 

Asthma Trigger #12: Sinus Infections

Currently, asthma and sinusitis are increasing in frequency. People with chronic sinusitis are sometimes at higher risk of developing asthma. When a person has asthma, the home environment is very important. If there is poor air quaility, asthma and sinusitis are likely to get worse. For example, asthmatic children have higher risk of getting sinusitis from exposure to second hand smoke. 

Sinusitis Can Worsen Asthma

When asthma comes with a sinus infection, simple treatment will not do. Once the nose is blocked, an individual is forced to breathe through the mouth which can hasten an asthma attack. The air breathed through the mouth is drier and cooler than the air breathed through the nose. And dry, cold air as we know can trigger an asthma attack. 

Since both asthma and sinusitis are considered as inflammatory diseases, their treatments are similar.  Bacterial infection can also be reduced by breathing and coughing exercises, various enzymes, iodides, and irrigation. However, if the sinus infection does not improve with antibiotics, a CT scan may be necessary. 

Asthma and sinusitis are often treated at the same time as what affects the sinus affects the entire upper respiratory system. Symptoms can generally range from mild shortness of breath to chest pain, coughing and tightness in the chest. 

But overuse of antibiotics, fungi, and other environmental factors often increases the occurrence of asthma and sinusitis despite the advances made in treating these conditions.

Sinusitis Can Improve With Treatment

However, many people who have successful treatment of their sinus infection find that their asthma also improves. Controlling the inflammatory process in the nose can help to control asthma symptoms. Along with prevention and treatment, maintaining a healthy well-balanced lifestyle and diet is also very important. 

More Information
On The Safest Asthma Treatments

Asthma is a very uncomfortable condition to deal with, especially if it is severe.  But it does not have to rob you out of the joy of life.  You can live normally ... through asthma management and the right plan, you can have an active, healthy life. 

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Create Your Asthma Action Plan	How To Monitor Your Breathing	Asthma Journal: Record Your Progress
Asthma Emergency: Do You Need Help?	Asthma Home Remedies That Can Help	Air Humidifiers For Asthma

Many people with asthma find fewer complications when they find a management plan that really works. Read The SAFE Asthma Treatment Guide and discover the four steps to controlling asthma.  

With a little help from your doctor and the right plan of action, you can control your wheezing so that you can breathe easier.

And remember … any asthma treatment prescribed by a physician should always be taken as ordered, even if there are no symptoms. Your doctor is the gatekeeper to keeping you healthy.

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