Asthma Triggers Household Products

5 Common Household Asthma Triggers

If you suffer from asthma then you need to read this article. We’re going to look at five things that are common in many households that can trigger asthma attacks. Avoiding these things isn’t going to cure your asthma, but it can help to lessen its severity.

1. Mold

Mold is is a common trigger for asthma attacks. Obviously, mold in the walls or elsewhere in the structure of your house is a serious problem, but we’re talking more about places you can deal with fairly easily, like bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.

To help avoid mold growth, wash and disinfect these rooms on a regular basis, and make sure you don’t let wet laundry sit around for any length of time. Get it washed and dried as quickly as possible to avoid mold growth.

2. Smoke

Cigarette smoke is a major trigger for asthma, as are cigars, pipes and any other tobacco products that produce smoke. If you smoke yourself, quitting will have major positive benefits on not only your asthma but your health in general.

If you live with someone who is a smoker, do everything you can to convince them to quit. It will help both of you feel better.

3. Dust

Dust is another contributor to asthma attacks, so make sure you keep your home as dust-free as possible. Using a cylinder vacuum with a sealed canister will help, as less dust will escape back into the air.

If your home is carpeted, make sure the carpets are vacuumed and/or shampooed regularly. The same goes for any heavy drapery in your home. These are both major dust collectors, and that dust will get back into the air you breathe if not kept at bay.

4. Mattresses & Pillows

Most mattresses and pillows are also dust collectors, and make it particularly hard to sleep at night since they often contribute to asthma attacks. Using a hypo-allergenic mattress or mattress cover and the same type of pillow or pillowcase will have major benefits for your asthma.

If you can’t replace your existing bedding with hypo-allergenic alternatives, at the very least make sure you clean everything on a regular basis, including vacuuming the pillows and mattress directly to help reduce dust inside them.

5. Pets

Pet dander is also a common trigger for asthma attacks. If you have pets, you may not be able to avoid it completely, but keeping them out of your living areas and bedroom will help to reduce the effects for the majority of your time in the house.