Patient education: Avoiding asthma triggers (The Basics)

What is an asthma trigger? — 

This is anything that causes asthma symptoms or makes asthma symptoms worse. It's important to know what your asthma triggers are. That way, you can avoid them so your symptoms don't get worse.

What are some common asthma triggers? — 

Common asthma triggers are:

●Getting sick, like with a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or a lung or sinus infection

●Cigarette smoke

●Stress

●Strong cleaning products, such as bleach

●Strong perfumes or scents

●Air pollution

●Certain medicines, such as aspirin and other medicines for pain or fever

●Exercise

●Very cold and dry air

●Thunderstorms

Not all of these things are triggers for everyone. For example, one person's symptoms might only be triggered by having a cold or exercising. Another person might have many triggers.

Some people are allergic to things in the environment. These are called "allergic triggers." Examples include:

●Dust mites – These are tiny bugs that are too small to see. They live in beds, couches, carpets, and other places in your home.

●Mold – Mold can grow in basements, showers, and other damp and wet places.

●Dogs and cats – People can be allergic to animal saliva, urine, or dander (flakes of dead skin).

●Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds

●Cockroach droppings

●Mice and rats

How do I know what my asthma triggers are? — 

You might already know what makes your asthma symptoms worse. But if you don't, talk with your doctor or nurse. They can help you figure it out by talking with you and asking you questions.

Your doctor might do allergy tests to see if you have allergic triggers. These include blood tests or skin tests. During a skin test, a doctor puts a drop of a substance you might be allergic to on your skin, and makes a tiny needle prick in your skin. Then, they watch to see if your skin turns red and bumpy.

What should I do when I find out what my triggers are? — 

Try to stay away from your triggers. For example, if cigarette smoke makes your asthma symptoms worse, avoid people who are smoking. If you smoke, get help to quit.

Here are other things you can do:

●Wash your hands often to avoid getting sick with an infection. Some people also choose to wear a mask in crowded places.

It's important to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This lowers the risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19. You should also get a flu shot every year. Some people also need to get a vaccine to help prevent pneumonia.

●Stay indoors when air pollution levels are high. Don't exercise near a busy road.

●On winter days when the air is cold and dry, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf.

●Avoid using bleach and other strong cleaners.

If you have allergic triggers, try to avoid the things you are allergic to:

●To avoid dust mites, cover your pillows and mattresses with special covers that keep dust mites away. Remove carpets from your bedroom. For more tips, see the table (table 1).

●To avoid mold, regularly clean any areas that tend to grow mold, such as sinks and tiles. To keep more mold from growing, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner, fix leaky plumbing, and remove carpets that were damaged by water. You can also remove any indoor plants, as well as other items that might have gotten damp and grown mold, such as old books or bedding.

●To avoid animal saliva, urine, or dander, you can remove the pet from your home and clean your home after the animal has gone. If this is not an option, there are other things you can try (table 2).

●To avoid pollen, stay inside more during the times of year when your asthma symptoms are worse. Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from getting inside your home. When you do go outside, shower or bathe after you come back in. This can help remove any pollen from your body and clothing.

●To keep cockroaches away, don't let garbage or dirty dishes pile up. If possible, fix leaky plumbing so there are no puddles of water. If you have cockroaches, use traps to kill them, or call an exterminator.

●To get rid of mice or rats, set traps or call an exterminator.

What if I can't avoid my triggers? — 

Talk with your doctor or nurse about what you can do.

Exercise is an example of a trigger that you should not avoid, because exercise keeps you healthy. To prevent asthma symptoms when you exercise:

●Take an extra dose of your quick-relief inhaler medicine before you exercise.

●Warm up slowly before each exercise session.

●Avoid exercising outdoors if it is very cold out.

More on this topic

Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma action plan for adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma action plan for children (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Environmental allergies in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Environmental allergies in children (The Basics)

Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)