Asthmatic episodes can be devastating for people who experience them, especially those triggered by an allergic reaction to a substance in their internal environment. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America*, the asthmatic allergic reaction creates an inflammatory process that results in the constriction and inflammation of the airways of the lungs of the affected individual. It’s important to know what can trigger an asthma episode and how to limit your exposure to those items.
Four Common Indoor Triggers for Asthmatic Episodes
1. Cockroaches
Cockroaches, their saliva, and their droppings are common triggers for asthmatic episodes. Any house can have a limited number of cockroaches living inside it, no matter how clean it is.
To ensure you eliminate any cockroach population that starts in your home, clean your home thoroughly twice a year. This includes behind the refrigerator and stove, in the corners of the basement, and under all furniture. This can destroy any colonies of cockroaches and the eggs of any other insects that have invaded your home.
2. Pet dander
Pet dander is flakes of dead skin that shed from a pet, usually a cat or dog. Some people are allergic to all pet dander, while others react only to dander from certain types of animals.
To limit your exposure to pet dander, don’t let pets sit or lie on furniture, dust your home regularly, and install a high-quality air filter to remove dander particles from pets. indoor air pets.
3. Dust mites
Breathing in dust mite feces or dead dust mite particles can trigger allergic asthmatic episodes. Dust mites are tiny creatures that live inside your home and eat dead skin cells. They make their home in mattresses, pillows, rugs, and cloth-covered items.
While it is impossible to make a house completely dust-free, the use of mattress covers, frequent washing of bedding and pillows, and regular dusting of the house will reduce the accumulation of dust in the house.
4. Mold
High or excessive humidity in the home can lead to mold growth, another common trigger for asthmatic episodes. Mold can grow anywhere in the house and sometimes hides behind walls, under carpets, or in upholstered furniture.
Because mold spores are easily airborne, special precautions should be taken when attempting to clean mold yourself. A chemical agent, such as borate, that kills mold and spores should be used before cleaning the residue to prevent the spores from spreading throughout the house. Borax laundry detergent is a good cleaning agent to use. It contains borate and can be found in the laundry cleaner area of most spores. Of course, it is best to consult a professional for significant mold discoveries.
be proactive
Taking steps to reduce the presence of these common triggers of asthmatic episodes can go a long way toward helping keep symptoms associated with indoor air quality at bay.
*Source: Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America – http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=413
