Questions to help identify asthma triggers*

Do you have asthma symptoms year-round or only certain times of year?

Do you have pets? Or birds? Are they indoors or outdoors most of the time?

Have you seen cockroaches at home/school/work in the past month? How about rodents?

Is there moisture, dampness, moldy odor, or visible mold in your home?^¶

For patients who live in dry climates, do you use an evaporative cooler (also known as a swamp cooler)? These coolers are associated with increased humidity and increased mold/dust mites.

Do your asthma symptoms get worse during pollen seasons (eg, tree pollen in early spring in New England) or more humid times of year (suggests molds and dust mites)?

Do you smoke cigarettes? If so, how many/day and how long have you smoked?

Does anyone at home/work/daycare smoke?

Do you smoke cannabis (marijuana), use electronic cigarettes, or vape?

Do you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace at home?

Do you have any unvented/open fire stoves or heaters at home?

Do you cough, wheeze or need your inhaler more during the week at work/school than on weekends or times away from work/school?

Do your eyes or nose itch or feel irritated at work/school?

Do coworkers or other students have similar symptoms?

Do you have seasonal or persistent nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, or decreased sense of smell?

Do you use eye drops? If so, which? Do your asthma symptoms worsen after taking them?

Do you use any medications that contain beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors? Has your asthma worsened since you started taking this medication?

Do you have wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath after eating shrimp, dried fruit, or processed potatoes or after drinking beer or wine?