Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers
One way to control asthma symptoms is to clear your home of asthma triggers like those listed here:
Secondhand Smoke
- Choose not to smoke in your home or car and do not allow others to do so either.
Dust Mites
- Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
- Choose washable stuffed toys, wash them often in hot water, and dry thoroughly. Keep stuffed toys off beds.
- Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof zippered covers.
Pets
- Consider keeping pets outdoors or even finding a new home for you pets, if necessary.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and keep the door closed.
- Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets and stuffed toys.
Molds
- Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, with mold may need to be replaced.
- Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
- Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator and dehumidifier clean and dry.
- Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking or using the dishwasher.
- Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
- Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity.
Pests
- Do not leave food or garbage out.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right away.
- Try using poison baits, boric acid or traps first before using pesticide sprays.
Additional Information
Not all of the asthma triggers listed here affect every person with asthma; and not all asthma triggers are listed here. See your health care provider for more information.
