People who have been diagnosed with asthma have a number of individual triggers – external influences, certain substances or compounds that provoke attacks, significantly impair breathing and worsen asthma. In most patients, asthma attacks are a form of allergy, and most often – progressive hay fever. Therefore, contact with pollen for such people is dangerous. Mold spores, bad habits, especially inhalation of tobacco smoke, as well as contact with some insects or domestic animals, also have a negative effect.
Triggers of bronchial asthma: mold spores
Under natural conditions, various types of mold are a necessary part of the environment and help to destroy organic matter. Unfortunately, the mold was also chosen for its growth of the place of residence and long-term stay of people – bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages (wherever it is warm and humid). Mold spores, which are invisible to the naked eye, enter homes through open doorways and windows, heating and air conditioning systems, human clothing and pet dander. Due to contact with mold in some patients occurs bronchial asthma.
Mold grows where it is dark and humid, on ceilings and walls where flooding occurred, as well as in wet basements or showers, baths. Spores can be activated within 24-48 hours after exposure to water and will continue to grow until the source of moisture is eliminated and all mold growths on the surfaces and spores are removed. Contact with mold spores provokes attacks of bronchial asthma in sensitized people. Moreover, the attacks can occur as soon as possible, within a few minutes, or after a few hours.
How to reduce the risk of respiratory disorders?
To reduce the effects of mold and reduce the risk of severe breathing problems, you can do the following:
- Active and frequent airing of wet rooms, the use of air dryers in living rooms and bathrooms to maintain humidity from 25 to 50%;
- The use of air conditioners, regular cleaning and processing, changing filters;
- Regular cleaning of the bathroom, the use of substances that kill spores and prevent the occurrence of mold;
- The use of exhaust fans for the discharge of steam and moist air;
- Failure to use rugs in the bathroom.
If severe seizures occur during contact with mold, breathing is significantly impaired, it is important to conduct additional activities throughout the house. It is necessary to eliminate all indoor plants in pots – in the ground and on the walls of pots mold often multiplies. If the attacks recur, the functions of external respiration are disturbed and there is no possibility of moving, a major overhaul is necessary with careful treatment of all surfaces. The mold is removed with special solutions or by treatment with chlorine bleach. But sometimes, despite all the efforts, the mold is not completely eliminated, and then the only option could be to move to a new home.
Insect allergies, reactions to pets
Some people with asthma suffer from allergies to cockroaches and other insects that live in humans. Similar allergy can be prevented through the use of human-safe traps and poisons, or by calling a special service and careful professional processing.
If the triggering factor for asthma attacks is pet allergy, here are some tips for preventing it:
- Complete dissociation with animals helps to reduce the concentration of allergens that enter the body (in other words, the animal should be given into good hands);
- General cleaning, as particles of wool, dandruff and allergenic animal proteins remain in the apartment even after removing animals from it;
- If an animal cannot be given away, it is necessary to limit its living area, keep it away from the bedroom, ideally outside the house.
Pets should be washed frequently with special means, not allowed on beds and upholstered furniture, to do without carpeting, where this is possible. Animal dander will remain on the carpet even after thorough vacuuming.
Pollinosis: Pollen Reaction
Often, asthma is one of the manifestations of seasonal allergy – pollinosis. This is sensitization to pollen that is spread by the wind. Pollinosis is possible on the pollen of trees, grasses, cultivated bushes or weeds, any plants pollinated by the wind. Patients can reduce exposure to allergens and reduce the risk of hay fever by following certain guidelines:
- Pollen concentrations are highest during the day, especially in windy and dry weather. It is necessary to limit the stay in the fresh air at this time.
- When pollinosis is most likely, closed windows and air conditioning with a HEPA filter can be a salvation from pollen.
- To remove pollen from hair and clothing after being outside, you need to take a shower and completely change all your clothes. Street clothes need to be washed.
Asthma triggers: external stimuli, bad habits
Bronchial asthma can be provoked by bad habits (inhalation of tobacco smoke or hookah, from wipes), as well as physical stress, strong odors and volatile chemical compounds. In addition, asthmatics may respond with attacks to an abrupt change of weather.
To avoid breathing problems and seizures, you should follow simple recommendations:
- It is important to give up the bad habit, avoid contact with tobacco smoke. The components of cigarette smoke can irritate the airways long after the asthmatic has been in contact with the irritant.
- It is necessary to abandon the use of aerosol cans, paints and cleaning products with a strong odor. When cleaning the house you need to provide full ventilation and wear a mask when using detergents, cleaning products or a vacuum cleaner.
- It is necessary to abandon the perfume or other products with a strong smell that can irritate breathing.
- It is necessary to avoid wood smoke, dust and gassed places. It is necessary to abandon the underground parking lots that delay exhaust gases.
- When leaving the house it is important to assess the weather conditions; in cold weather you need to close facescarf, dress warmly.