Asthma Triggers

While there are several possible triggers of asthma, it is estimated that 85% of asthmatics are allergic to House Dust Mites.

Dust Mites

It is important to understand that microscopic dust mites are found in every home and it is no reflection on the household’s hygiene. As they feed on our dead flakes of skin and become airborne very easily, they can even be found in smaller quantities in sofas, heavy drapes and in carpets, but the main concentration of the house dust mite is in the mattress and bedding, where their food supply is most abundant and where our bodies warmth and the moisture provided from sweating offers them ideal living conditions.

This is the main area of concern as it is also where we spend almost a third of our lives, sleeping right above up to 2 million dust mites. Without a regular supply of food in the form of dead flakes of skin, they will soon die and therefore the cost of treating other areas of the house, such as blinds and carpets may not warrant the expense considering the possibility of feeling an improvement.

It is not the house dust mites themselves that have been proven to trigger a host of allergies, but their waste, which combines with their saliva when they regurgitate their droppings to form a protein called guanine. It is this that is responsible for triggering allergies. These particles become dust like when they dry out and therefore easily airborne, spreading around the house.

Suggestions:

• Please see our Useful Tips and refer to The Free Test and The Cleaning Process for full advice.

Pets

Dead skin flakes, urine, faeces, saliva, and hair can trigger asthma. Dogs, cats, rodents (including hamsters and guinea pigs) and other mammals can all trigger asthma in individuals with a reaction to dander. Proteins in the dander, urine or saliva of warm-blooded animals have been reported to sensitise individuals and can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma episodes in individuals sensitive to animal allergens.

Suggestions:

• Consider finding a new home for the pets, however, even after thorough cleaning it may be several weeks before the sensitivity in individuals declines.
• Keep them out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times and keep the door closed.
• Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets and stuffed toys.

Moulds

Moulds are found everywhere and grow on virtually on any substance where moisture is present.

Moulds produce tiny spores to reproduce and they waft through the air indoors and outdoors. When they land on a damp surface indoors, they begin growing. There is no practical way to eliminate all mould spores inside but the way to control mould growth is to control moisture.

Suggestions:

• Wash mould off all hard surfaces and dry them completely. Any absorbent materials should be replaced, eg carpet if they are contaminated.
• Fix any leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
• Keep drip pans in air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers clean and dry.
• Use exhaust fans or open windows in the kitchen and bathroom when washing, cooking or using the dishwasher. Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
• Maintain a low humidity, ideally between 30-50 degrees relative humidity.

Second-hand Smoke

Second-hand smoke may trigger asthma episodes and make asthma symptoms more severe in children who already have asthma. Moreover, second-hand smoke is a risk factor for new cases of asthma in children who have not previously showed signs of asthma. Many of the effects of second-hand smoke (including asthma) are most clearly manifested in children.

Suggestions:

• Don’t smoke at home or in the car
• Don’t smoke in the presence of asthmatics or children

Cockroaches

Cockroach droppings or body parts can trigger asthma. Certain proteins called allergens are found in their faeces and saliva which can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

Suggestions:

• Don’t leave food or garbage out. Always store food in airtight containers and put the rubbish in a bin with a lid. Ensure that this is removed regularly.
• Clean all food crumbs and spilled liquids right away and wash all dishes and cutlery as soon as you have finished with them.
• Remove piles of boxes, newspapers and other items that cockroaches may use to hide in your home.
• Try using poison baits, boric acid or traps before using pesticidal sprays.
• If sprays are used, limit their use to infested areas and do not use near where you prepare or store food. Do not use them or store them near where young children can reach or play, crawl or sleep.
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh air when you spray and keep the person with asthma out of the room when spraying.
  

Pollen

If someone has hay fever then their allergy to pollen may also be present in different forms. Only a small percentage of people with hay fever develop pollen asthma as well. Those who do have hay fever and pollen asthma find that the asthma attacks occur later in the pollen season than the hay fever symptoms and continue for longer after the peak pollen counts. This would suggest that a longer exposure time is necessary.

The allergens that cause the hay fever are present in the grass sap and may produce large itchy bumps on the skin in an allergic reaction. The same effect can happen if pollen antigens enter the blood stream, such as through the tiny blood vessels in the nose, and reach the skin by this indirect route. A minority of people with hay fever have an allergic form of eczema that is aggravated by contact with pollen and other plant material bearing allergens. Research suggests that people who are allergic to several substances tend to have stronger allergic reactions. For example, work in Japan found that people who are already allergic to house dust mites tend to have stronger reactions if they then develop hay fever than people who do not have other allergies.

Suggestions:

• Avoid exposures to high concentrations of pollen or spores. These may sensitise a person predisposed to allergy.
• At home exposure can be reduced by avoiding areas of pollinating plants and by keeping doors and windows shut on high pollen count days.

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