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The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute defines asthma as a common chronic
disorder of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction,
bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and an underlying inflammation. It is widely accepted that there is
no cure for asthma. However, with the advent of new asthma treatments, asthma medications, and
asthma techniques, it is entirely possible for an asthmatic to live a relatively normal life
without exercising the troubling symptoms of asthma.
One of the most effective methods of treating asthma is to avoid
the known allergy triggers altogether. While this concept seems simple, it is harder to put into
practice than you might initially believe. Fortunately, there are many new asthma treatment
techniques to incorporate allergen avoidance into your everyday life.
If you are like most asthmatics, allergy induced asthma makes
you feel bad throughout the entire year. As a result, it is critical that you eliminate as many
allergies from your house as possible. Perennial allergens such as dust, house dust mites, animal
dander, cockroaches, and feathers (from comforters and pillows) are the most common
offenders.
As a threshold matter, it is important to understand the nuances of one of the
most common asthma triggers: dust. However, there are two main types of dust to be aware of -- road
dust and household dust. Road dust is an irritant that is usually just made up of dirt-like
compounds, with an occasional combination of allergic mold spores (such as during autumn). On the
other hand, household dust contains by-products of the breakdown of carpets and upholstery, as well
as human skin, pet dander, fragments of cockroaches and other insects, plant matter, bacteria, and
mold.
Because household dust provides a home for dust mites (microscopic insects that
eat skin flakes), dust mites are similarly thought to be an asthma trigger. Dust mites and other
similar microscopic insects thrive in environments such as pillows, mattresses, carpets, and
upholstered furniture. Moreover, because humid climates are more ideal for their growth, dust mites
are more common in humid states such as New York and Florida than states with higher altitudes like
Colorado or drier western desert states.
As a result of the dust mites preferred homes (i.e., carpets, pillows, etc.),
allergy induced asthma is more noticeable after sleeping or shaking out bedding as these tend to
trigger asthma.
The primary method of reducing the asthma symptoms associated with allergy
induced asthma is to avoid and/or reduce exposure to allergens. The following suggestions will be
helpful in avoiding allergic reactions.
First, allergy induced asthma can be reduced by insuring that bedding, including
sheets, comforters, blankets and pillow cases are washed weekly in hot water. Dry bedding in a hot
dryer and do not allow them to air dry. As an extra precaution, pillows should be washed monthly
and replaced annually.
Second, allergy induced asthma can be eliminated by using plastic covers on box
springs, mattresses, and pillows, because dust mites are suffocated by plastic. Did you ever wonder
why dust mites are usually not a problem in baby cribs? Now you know -- baby mattresses are covered
with plastic, albeit for different reasons!
Third, allergy induced asthma is lessened by lowering the humidity in your house.
A few effective ways to accomplish this goal is to use a dehumidifier yearly, and to run your air
conditioner in the summer (which dries out the home).
Fourth, to the extent possible, you should remove the carpeting in your house,
especially in your bedroom, and install tile or hardwood floors. Alternatively, if your carpeting
is relatively new (i.e., less than fifteen years old), it is likely synthetic carpeting and, if so,
can be retained.
However, if you are keeping carpet in your house, you must vacuum weekly to
reduce allergy induced asthma. HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are all the rage, and
with good reason - they filter dirt particles during vacuuming.
Next, allergy induced asthma can be prevented by keeping all surfaces clean.
Walls, shelves, and floors must be regularly cleaned using single wipe dust rags or damp mops. Be
sure to soak all cleaning rags in hot water when done.
Finally, the right type of furniture and fixtures can go a long way to reducing
allergy induced asthma. Purchase furniture that is plastic, sealed wood or metal (i.e., where
surfaces are easier to clean) and avoid furniture with stuffing. For window treatments, choose
venetian blinds over heavy drapes to avoid dust mite build-up. However, be sure to keep the blinds
clean as allergen build up is common on these types of surfaces.
Following
the above-listed steps will help reduce allergy induced
asthma.
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