Asthma triggers are things in the indoor and outdoor environment that can make your asthma worse. This brochure describes common asthma triggers and what you can do to help control them.
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FOR PATIENTS
How to Control Asthma Triggers
Asthma triggers are things in the indoor and outdoor environment that can make your asthma worse. Asthma triggers range from dust mites and pet dander in the home to pollen and air pollution outside. This fact sheet will help you identify your asthma triggers, teach you how to avoid them, and explain what you can do to make your home and surroundings more asthma-friendly.
Allergens
Animal Dander Some people are allergic to the flakes of skin or dried saliva from animals with fur or hair.
The best thing to do:
If you must have a pet, then:
Dust Mites Many people who have asthma are allergic to dust mites. Dust mites are tiny bugs (too small to see) that are found in every home—in dust, mattresses, pillows, carpets, cloth furniture, sheets and blankets, clothes, stuffed toys, and other cloth-covered items.
Things that may help:
Cockroaches Many people who have asthma are allergic to the dried droppings and remains of cockroaches.
The best things to do:
Indoor Mold
Pollen and Outdoor Mold What to do during your allergy season (when pollen or mold spore counts are high):
Irritants
Tobacco Smoke
Smoke, Strong Odors, Sprays, and Fumes
Other things that bring on asthma symptoms in some people include:
Vacuum Cleaning
Other Things That Can Make Asthma Worse
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.