Common Asthma Triggers: Allergens

If you have asthma, an asthma attack can happen can occur for various reasons. This is one reason it is so important to have a rescue inhaler handy regardless of where your adventures take you in life. Much like individuals who have psoriasis have triggers, there are also asthma triggers.

In the same context, everybody’s triggers can be very different from one another. Simply because two people have asthma, does not mean that they will have the same triggers or that the same medications will help them. One of the different set of things that can cause asthma triggers is allergens. I will discuss some of the most common allergens and how to avoid them for better asthma control.

Common allergens

Allergens are exactly as they sound, something that affects your allergies. While they may not send you into an anaphylactic shock, they can still affect your ability to be able to breathe clearly. This time of the year sees a lot of the need for inhalers for allergy-related issues; even my pharmacy is overrun with inhaler orders.

Dust

Dust is something that can affect individuals with and without asthma. It is one of the most common allergens. When cleaning, vacuuming, and cleaning out or replacing air conditioning filters, it is a good idea to wear a dust mask. This will help to keep the dust particles out of your lungs. There is a large number of people who are allergic to dust mites as well.

There are dust covers that can be purchased to go over your pillows and your mattress to reduce your exposure to dust mites. Another helpful tip is to wash your bedding frequently, like once a week. Air filters and purifiers can also help with the dust and dust mite situation as well.

Animal dander

Some individuals find out that they are allergic to their household pets. This does not mean the animals have to be rehomed. One step to help manage the effects of animal fur is try to keep your pets away and off the furniture, especially your bed.

It is also beneficial to vacuum the house and to clean the pet bed frequently. Also brushing your dog to remove their shedding hair or taking them to the groomer can be another helpful tactic.

Mold

Mold spores are not good for your lungs and can trigger an asthma attack. It is important to clean areas of your home that mold typically grows in such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, and basements. You can also use exhaust fans and dehumidifiers.

When there has been water damage to an area of your home due to leaking pipes or a storm, it needs to be addressed immediately so it does not turn into black mold.

Pollens

Nowadays, doctors can do a blood test to check your allergies. This blood test can show what all types of trees, grass, and weeds you are allergic to so that you can be prepared. The older test involved a lot of scratches and marker/pen marks on your back; it was also pretty uncomfortable.

During allergy season, pollen from trees, grass, and weeds is highest. So while it may feel like a good time to ‘air out the house,’ you are better off keeping the windows closed.

Conclusion

While these are not all of the allergens that can affect those with asthma, these are some of the most common allergens. It also shows why it is important to be aware of your allergies. It is also important to make sure you have your rescue inhaler on hand in case you run into an allergen outside or at somebody else’s household. You can never be too prepared!