Managing allergens or irritants
When you have asthma, your airways are very sensitive. Your airways may react to things that can start an asthma episode. Staying away from such things will help you keep your asthma from getting worse.
The following actions are the most helpful:
- Use an airtight plastic cover on your pillows
- Use an airtight plastic cover on your mattress and box springs
- Wash your bed covers and pajamas once a week in hot water (130 degrees F.)
- Stuffed animals and other stuff toys collect dust and may have to be stored in plastic bags and put away. Choose stuffed toys that can be washed regularly like the bed covers.
The following actions are helpful but not essential:
- Remove the carpets from the bedroom
- Stay out of a room while it is being vacuumed
- Do not sleep or lie on upholstered furniture
- When vacuuming, use a dust mask and use a vacuum with a small particle HEPA filter
Some people are allergic to dogs, cats, birds and rodents (gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats).
- Choose a pet without fur or feathers.
- If you have a pet with fur or feathers, keep the pet out of your bedroom at all times. Keeping the pet outside of the home is better.
- Wash the pet weekly in warm water.
- Try to avoid visiting homes that have pets. If you must go to places with pets, take asthma medicine before going.
- Don't buy or use pillows, comforters, or toys stuffed with feathers. use products stuffed with synthetic fibers, which are washable.
- Wash your hands and change clothes as soon as you can after being in contact with pets.
- Some people may have to give their pets away.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not allow smoking in your home. Have household members smoke outside.
- Encourage family members to quit smoking.
- Try to avoid perfume, talcum powder, hair spray and other strong smelling products.
- Use household cleaning products that don't have strong smells.
- Reduce strong cooking odors (like frying) by using an exhaust fan and opening windows.
- Eliminate roaches from the building.
- Make a plan with your doctor that allows you to exercise without symptoms. For example, use your beta2-agonist or cromolyn inhaler 20 minutes before exercising.
- Do not exercise during the afternoon when air pollution levels are highest.
- Warm up before doing exercise and cool down afterward.
- Talk to your doctor about flu shots.
- Stay away from people with colds or the flu.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take over-the-counter cold remedies, like anti-histamines and cough syrup.
When the pollen count is high:
- Stay indoors during the afternoon, when the pollen count is highest.
- Keep windows closed in cars and homes. Use air conditioning if you can.
- Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in cold or windy weather.
*The preceding information was reproduced by Public Health - Seattle & King County with permission from Judith Stacey-Robar MN, RN,C, Jutta Joseph Pharm D., University of Washington, and Community Health Centers of King County.
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