Asthma triggers are substances, conditions or activities that lead to symptoms of asthma. Show
Asthma symptomsAsthma symptoms include:
These symptoms can become severe and lead to a life-threatening asthma emergency. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by substances that cause allergic reactions or by conditions or activities not related to allergies. Ask your doctor about how you can avoid or reduce exposure to triggers of your asthma symptoms. You should also ask your doctor to update your asthma action plan each year. Allergic triggers of asthmaAllergies are a common cause of asthma symptoms. Most people identify more than one allergy but the symptoms experienced vary from person to person and can include hay fever, skin reactions, asthma or a life-threatening severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If you are allergic to a substance that causes your asthma symptoms to flare up, you can take action to avoid or reduce exposure to the allergy trigger. Common allergy triggers of asthma symptomsAllergy triggers that can lead to asthma symptoms include:
Food allergies do not usually cause asthma themselves, but people with food allergies can be more susceptible to symptoms of asthma. Also, sulphites in food and drink may cause asthma symptoms. How to reduce allergy triggers to asthmaReducing exposure to substances that trigger your allergies and asthma symptoms is an important part of your asthma management. However, even with good allergy and trigger management, it is recommended you speak with your doctor about taking regular preventer medication to control your asthma. Tips to reduce exposure to animal danderThe best strategy to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction is to avoid contact with the type of animal that causes your allergy. This can be difficult if you have a pet or if you visit another household where there is a pet. Tips that can help to reduce the risk of exposure to animal allergy triggers include:
Tips to reduce exposure to house dust mitesTo reduce exposure to house dust mites:
In general, washing in hot water above 60ºC both kills dust mites and removes the allergic substance the mites produce. Drying items in a hot dryer will kill the mites once the clothes are dry, but will not remove the allergic substance. Unfortunately, most studies have failed to show improvements in asthma from using strategies or products to get rid of or reduce contact with house dust mite allergens. It is better to focus on gaining control of symptoms by using asthma medications correctly. Tips to reduce exposure to pollenThe season for pollen allergies can last for several months and occurs when plants are flowering. The timing of your own personal allergy season will depend upon which plants you are allergic to, and when they flower. A direct way to manage pollen allergies is to reduce your exposure to pollens. Pollen counts are published in the media and can help you to plan to avoid exposure. To reduce your exposure to pollen during peak times:
Tips to reduce exposure to mould sporesThe best strategy for any allergy is to avoid the allergy trigger. For mould spores, this can be difficult, but you can certainly take action to reduce mould in your home. To reduce mould in your home:
Non-allergy triggers for asthmaNon-allergy triggers do not involve an allergic reaction of your immune system. Asthma symptoms are brought on in other ways. Understanding what triggers your asthma symptoms will help you to manage them. Ask your doctor for tips on how to avoid or reduce exposure to situations that can trigger asthma. Common non-allergy triggers of asthma symptomsNon-allergy triggers that can lead to asthma symptoms include: Tips to reduce exposure to cigarette smokeAim for a smoke-free environment, both for yourself and your children. If you smoke, speak to your doctor about quitting. If you are pregnant and you smoke, your child is at much greater risk of asthma. Babies of mothers who smoke are 4 times more likely to develop asthma. Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home. Smoking in a small area like a car is especially bad and opening the windows does not help. Even if you do not smoke near your children, the smoke remains in your clothes and can still affect children. Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking. There are a range of effective medical prescriptions available to support this important step. Call Tel. 13 78 48. Tips to reduce the risk of airway infectionsColds and viruses like flu are a very common cause of asthma symptoms. After an airway infection, people with asthma are more likely to develop complications, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. To reduce the risk of an airway infection, such as colds or flu:
COVID-19 protocols have shown us how beneficial these measures can be to avoid respiratory infections. Tips to reduce exposure to indoor pollutionTo reduce air pollution in your home:
Tips to reduce exposure to outdoor pollution and weatherAvoiding outdoor pollution or weather conditions can be difficult, but tips for reducing your exposure include:
Tips to reduce the risk of exercise-induced asthmaExercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and can help to control asthma symptoms. Many top athletes, including Olympic medallists, have asthma. Tips to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms during exercise include:
Scuba diving and asthmaScuba diving if you have uncontrolled asthma can be life-threatening. In fact, it is one of the few sports that is not recommended for some people with asthma. The risk is that you may breathe in air at a certain pressure at a certain depth, then have that higher pressure air become trapped in your lungs due to asthma closing the air passages in your lungs. As you rise to the surface (where the air pressure is lower), that trapped air will expand and may cause injury to your lung. This is called barotrauma (pneumothorax or air embolism), and can be very dangerous. Only people with mild and well-controlled asthma should consider scuba diving and only with careful medical clearance. Diving regulations vary from country to country so if you have asthma and are keen to dive, it’s best to check on the local requirements and have a thoughtful discussion with your doctor. Where to get help |