Four steps to reduce asthma triggers in your home

Creating a healthy home environment will help you breathe better and suffer fewer asthma attacks. Identifying and eliminating your triggers may be a challenge, especially if you have multiple triggers, but it is possible and will be worth the effort. Follow these steps to minimize your exposure to possible asthma triggers.

Dust mites are microscopic bugs found in household dust.

To reduce dust mites, clean your home thoroughly at least once a week, focusing your efforts on the areas such as the bedrooms and living areas.

As a part of this cleaning, vacuum with a high-filtration vacuum cleaner and dust with a damp cloth to prevent spreading dust mite particles.

To help decrease the number of dust mites in your home further, choose bedding made from synthetic materials. You should also wash your bedding at least once a week in hot water before drying it on a high setting. Along with these precautions, cover your mattresses and pillows with mite-proof covers and wash these along with the rest of your bedding.

Maintaining good air quality is an essential part of asthma management.

Cigarette smoke is a common cause of asthma flare-ups, so don't let anyone smoke in your home or car.

A range of chemical irritants can also trigger asthma flare-ups, including those found in household products, such as detergents, paints, adhesives, air fresheners, pesticides, cosmetics and scented candles. If you can't avoid these products, use them sparingly and keep your windows and doors open to bring fresh air into your home.

Moulds are microscopic plant-like organisms that grow on many surfaces and flourish in damp areas of your home.

To reproduce, these organisms release spores into the air. For some people, these mould spores are asthma triggers.

If you see mould, clean it with a solution of 1 part bleach to 11 parts water. If you want to prevent further growth, use a dehumidifier in your home. Using a dehumidifier reduces the humidity levels in your home, and makes damp places less likely to form.

Many people with asthma are allergic to the proteins found in the saliva, urine or dander of one or more animals. To reduce these animal-borne triggers, keep your pet outside. Or, at the very least, keep it out of your bedroom and off your furniture.

You should also clean your carpets and furniture often using a vacuum cleaner designed to pick up pet hair or have your house professionally cleaned.

Following these steps to reduce the triggers in your home will help you suffer from fewer asthma attacks and breathe easier overall.

However, it is impossible to eliminate all asthma triggers from your home.

Nonetheless, if you get to know which triggers affect you, reduce them as much as you can, and keep your asthma well-controlled, you can reduce your risk of a flare-up.