Asthma and allergies are big problems for many people in the U.S. With air quality becoming and issue in most of the major cities, folks sensitive to allergy or asthma triggers are at greater risk. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, more than 22 million people are known to be suffering from asthma in this country. Most folks who have asthma also tend to have allergies. Some folks even develop asthma as a result of exposure to certain chemical irritants, industrial dust particles, or even certain environmental pollutants. Allergy–induced asthma is caused by exposure to certain allergens causing a reaction in the body's immune system, and eventually causing an asthma attack. It's important to know all the triggers that can cause an allergic reaction or asthma in order to take control of one's surroundings. Preventing Allergy and Asthma Triggers–Mold, Mildew, and Bugs Mold and mildew are not usually a problem in the drier, lower humidity climes of the high plains and mountain areas of the country. However, there are a lot of folks who live in areas that have high humidity for most if not all of the year. In these places, mold an mildew must be controlled. Where possible, add a mold inhibitor and repaint all rooms throughout the house, especially the bathrooms. To better control the humidity in your home, you should use indoor hygrometers. You can find the top-rated indoor hygrometers here. Outdoors and around the garden or landscaping, try to keep any wet leaves from collecting into piles in certain areas, especially around the exterior house walls, windows, and air conditioning unit. Garden debris is another place mold and mildew can readily grow. Try to avoid these at all costs. Use insect traps rather than spraying the house with pesticide. If spraying is unavoidable, try and stay away for several hours after spraying to let the odor decrease or let the house air out for a while. Allergy and Asthma Triggers in the Great Outdoors It's almost impossible to avoid allergy and asthma triggers outside. It's best to keep the doors and windows closed at all times during pollen season. Use the air conditioner whenever possible during this time. Pollen counts tend to be higher in the early morning hours, especially on warm days and most exposure to this allergy and asthma trigger can be avoided. Try and avoid all tobacco and wood smoke outdoors. Many cities are plagued with the problem of poor quality air and air pollution. Watch the local forecasts and try to remain indoors whenever possible to avoid exposure to pollution in the air like ozone, or industrial smoke. When cooking outside, be sure and vent smoke and fumes away. You can find air quality maps in USA here. Pets Tend to Be Huge Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Avoid any pets that are known to cause allergic symptoms that could lead to an asthma attack. If cats are a problem, simply make it a rule to avoid homes or locations where cats are around. If there is a pet in the home that is causing allergy or asthma problems, restrict the animals movements to a certain area of the house. When exposure cannot be avoided, be sure to take any asthma or allergy medications beforehand. Always make sure proper ventilation is used especially in areas where pets spend the most time indoors. If pets are to remain indoors, consider removing all carpeting as pet dander tends to collect there long after the pet is gone. Keep pets away from the sleeping areas and bedrooms of children or anyone with allergies or asthma. Wash pets at least once a week, and if possible, keep pets outside. One tip to prevent pet allergies from you is to use vacuums with good filters. Check out top-rated vacuums for allergies and pet hair here. Learning how to manage allergies or asthma and identify triggers is crucial to a better quality of life for those afflicted. Partner with a doctor or allergist and make a written plan for managing allergy or asthma symptoms. This written action plan will help to determine the proper dosage and times for taking medication, help to identify allergic and asthma triggers, and provide a plan of action when symptoms get worse. Following this plan is vital for the successful management of symptoms at home. It's always good to know when it's time to seek medical assistance Comments are closed.
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