What is an Asthma Trigger?
Asthma triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms or lead to an asthma episode or flare-up. Triggers can include activities, conditions, or substances that cause the airways to react. Some children may react to one or two triggers, and some may find that many triggers worsen their asthma. Work with your child’s doctor to identify triggers. Then you can develop a plan that includes ways to reduce your child’s exposure to their asthma triggers. Below are common asthma triggers and recommendations on how to manage them.
Types of asthma triggers
ALLERGENS
PETS
Animals with fur or feathers produce dander (found in dried saliva and skin cells) that can trigger asthma. This can be true even with non-shedding, or hypoallergenic, breeds. Dander becomes airborne and settles on surfaces, including furniture and toys.
How to Manage: Keep animals out of your child’s bedroom and off furniture. Wash hands and face after touching animals. Vacuum weekly with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.
Dust and Dust Mites
Dust are particles that float in the air and collect on surfaces. Dust mites are tiny bugs that cannot be seen by the human eye. They feed off dead skin cells from humans and household pets. They commonly live in house dust, bedding, stuffed animals, carpets, and cloth furniture.
How to Manage: Cover your child’s mattress and pillow with dust-proof covers. Dust and vacuum often. Wash stuffed animals and bedding in hot water weekly. Minimize the number of stuffed animals. Keep stuffed animals off the bed and, if possible, in sealed containers or sealed plastic bags.
Mold
Mold often lives on walls in spaces that are dark and humid. It survives by eating materials, such as wood, paper, and wallpaper paste. Mold is often found in bathrooms, basements, and water-damaged flooring and ceilings.
How to Manage: Clean your bathrooms, basements, and other damp and high-humidity areas with mold-killing products that are asthma-friendly.
PESTS
Pests can live anywhere, especially in dark and damp places. They can also live behind walls, furniture, and clutter. Many children are allergic to pest droppings. Some are allergic to body parts of pests, such as rodents or cockroaches.
How to Manage: Keep food and garbage in sealed containers. Do not leave food or garbage out and clean up spills right away. Clutter attracts pests, so tidy up piles of paper, boxes, and bags. Don’t leave water sitting in sinks with pots and pans and fix all water leaks and seal cracks. Use poison baits and traps, rather than bombs or sprays, to get rid of pests.
POLLEN
Pollen travels through the air at certain times of the year. High pollen count days are typical in the fall and spring. In the spring, pollen typically comes from trees, grasses, and weeds. In the fall, pollen typically comes from ragweed and weeds.
How to Manage: Check for daily pollen counts at www.pollen.com or weather reports. When pollen counts are high, avoid outdoor activities and keep doors and windows closed. If possible, use an air conditioner when needed. Be sure the air conditioner and other air filters are cleaned regularly. Take allergy medicine per doctor’s orders.
irritants
Smoke
Smoke from a burning cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or smoke exhaled by a smoker is the number one asthma trigger. Materials that produce smoke when burning, like wood, candles, coal, and incense, can also give children trouble with their asthma. Third-hand smoke (chemicals from smoke left on surfaces after smoking) and aerosol from e-cigarettes may also trigger a child’s asthma.
How to Manage: Keep indoor environments, including home and car, free of all forms of smoke. If you or another adult that your child is around smokes, be sure to wash hands and change clothes after smoking and before being around children. It is also important for them to talk with their doctor about ways to stop smoking or visit https://RespHealth.org/QuitSmoking or call 1-866-QUIT-YES or 1-866-784-8937
Pollution and Extreme Weather
Poor air quality, particularly on hot summer days when ozone pollution is high, can cause asthma episodes.
How to Manage: Check air quality, especially in the summer. Limit or avoid outdoor activities on Air Pollution Actions Days: www.airnow.gov. When air quality is poor, only go outside early or after sunset. Try to stay indoors with windows closed and use air conditioning or fans. As always, prepare for hot days by drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying in the shade.
Strong Odors
Any strong smell can trigger an asthma episode. Common odors include cleaners, bleach, pesticides, air fresheners or plug-ins, potpourri, perfume, cologne, aftershave, hair products, cosmetics, scented soaps and lotions, paints, glues, and other crafts.
How to Manage: Use cleaners that are odorless and are not in spray form. Switch to less toxic “free and clear” or “green” products. Avoid using scented bath and beauty products. When your child with asthma is present, avoid painting or using chemicals. Use an exhaust fan or open a window (if the air quality is good) when using a gas stove or an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
Emotions
Strong emotions – like fear, anger, stress, frustration, crying or even laughing – can change breathing patterns. They may result in tense muscles or rapid breathing and can lead to an asthma episode.
How to Manage: Help your child find ways to stay calm and express themselves without shouting or yelling. Taking deep and slow breaths during times of stress and unhappiness can reduce emotional triggers. Staying calm during asthma episodes can also help reduce symptoms.
Infections
Asthma symptoms can be triggered by a respiratory or sinus infection, including a cold or the flu.
How to Manage: Frequent hand-washing and good general hygiene will reduce the risk of infections. Discuss what shots (or vaccines) are available to protect against infections (e.g., the flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia vaccines) with your child’s healthcare provider.
Cold and Hot Weather
Cold, dry air, very hot weather, changes in seasons, or sudden fluctuations in weather can lead to asthma episodes.
How to Manage: Have your child avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Your child can prepare for cold days by covering his/her mouth and nose whenever outside.
Exercise or Physical Activity
Asthma episodes can be triggered by exercise or physical activity, especially when it leads to overexertion or when exposed to extreme temperatures (both hot and cold). Although exercise or physical activity can be a trigger for asthma, a child with asthma can and should be active.
How to Manage: Have your child warm-up and cool-down before and after being physically active. Ensure they drink plenty of water. Discuss with your child’s doctor if he/she should take a quick-relief inhaler before being active.
