Healthy Homes
ASTHMA & ALLERGIES
Countless millions of children in the U.S. have a disease called
asthma. Asthma makes it hard for people to breath. It’s the
number one reason children miss school and go to the hospital.
There is no cure, but you can control it.
Even more people have simple allergies. Allergies are an unusual
reaction to something, like food or a plant that is normally
harmless. Persons with allergies suffer from a stuffy or runny
nose, itching, or a rash.
Follow these steps to clear the air of allergens and asthma
triggers:
1. Take it outside. One of the most common asthma triggers in
the home is secondhand smoke. Until you can quit, smoke outside,
not in your home or car.
2. Good night, little mite! Dust mites are also triggers for
asthma. For mite population control, cover mattresses and
pillows with dust-proof (allergen impermeable) zipper covers.
Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
3. Play it Safe. Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma
attacks. Watch for the Air Quality Index (AQI) during your local
weather report. When AQI reports unhealthy levels, limit outdoor
activities.
4. A little goes a long way. Reduce everyday dust build-up, by
regularly dusting with a damp cloth and vacuuming carpet and
fabric-covered furniture.
5. Stake your claim. Household pets can trigger asthma with skin
flakes, urine, and saliva. Keep pets outdoors, if possible.
6. Uninvite unwelcome guests. Cockroaches can trigger asthma.
Don’t invite them into your home by leaving food or garbage out.
Always clean up messes and spills and store food in airtight
containers.
7. Think before you spray. Instead of pesticide sprays, control
pests by using baits or traps. If sprays are necessary, always
circulate fresh air into the room being treated and keep asthma
sufferers out of that room for several hours after spraying.
8. Break the mold. Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to
controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry hard
surfaces to prevent and remove mold. Replace moldy ceiling tiles
and carpet.
9. Air it out. Reducing the moisture will control asthma
triggers like mold, cockroaches, and dust mites. Use exhaust
fans or open windows when cooking and showering. Fix leaky
plumbing of there unwanted sources of water.
10. Plan before the attack. Work with your doctor or health care
provider to develop a written asthma management plan for your
child that includes information on your child’s triggers and how
to manage them.
Asthma & Allergies web links and contact information:
- Lucas County Health Department (419) 213-4074
- American Lung Association, (800) LUNG-USA -
www.lungusa.org
- The Soap and Detergent Association, Cleaning to Control
Allergies and Asthma, (202) 347-2900 -
www.cleaninginstitute.org
- The Allergy & Asthma Network: Mothers of Asthmatics (800)
878-4403 -
www.aanma.org
- The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) (800) 929-4040
-
www.foodallergy.org
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Asthma and Indoor
Environments -
www.epa.gov/asthma