What's an Irritant?
For most people, irritants aren't a serious problem. But for people with asthma,
they can lead to flare-ups.
Common irritants include:
- perfumes
- aerosol sprays
- cleaning products
- tobacco and wood smoke
- paint or gas fumes
- air pollution
Even things that may seem harmless, like scented candles or glue, are triggers
for some people.
How Can I Avoid Irritants?
If you notice that a household product triggers your asthma, ask your family to
switch to an unscented or nonaerosol version of it. If smoke bothers you, people smoking around you
will be a trigger. But a fire in the fireplace or woodstove can be a problem too.
If outdoor air pollution is a trigger for your asthma, running the air conditioner
can help. Check air quality reports on the news to see which days might be bad for
you. When outdoor air quality is very bad, stay in air-conditioned comfort, whether
it's at your house or the mall.
How Can I Prevent Illneses?
Colds or the flu are hard to avoid. The best prevention is washing
your hands regularly and avoiding people who are sick.
An annual flu shot is
now recommended for everyone above the age of 6 months. This is especially important
for people with asthma, who are at greater risk for serious complications if they
get the flu. Ask your doctor to include instructions on what to do if you start feeling
like you're getting a cold or the flu.
How Can I Cope With Weather Changes?
Wind can stir up pollens and molds. Rain can wash pollen from the air, so the pollen
count might be lower right after it rains. But lots of rain can make the trees and
grasses produce more pollen later on. Very cold or very hot weather may trigger asthma.
So can humidity or very dry air.
If you know that some kinds of weather
make your asthma worse, follow the forecast. Take steps to protect yourself if you
know the weather is going to cause problems for you. Your asthma action plan should
say what to do.
What Is Exercise-Induced Asthma?
Some people with asthma have only one trigger: exercise.
Along with allergens, exercise is one of the more common triggers.
Luckily, exercise is the one trigger you don't have to avoid. With help from their
doctors, people with asthma can safely get the exercise they need to stay healthy
and well. Talk with your doctor about what to do before, during, and after exercise.
There's one step you'll want to take no matter what your triggers are: Keep your
quick-relief medicine with
you at all times.