Health Society of South Africa

Avoid Triggers

If your asthma is triggered by certain allergens, you can minimise your symptoms by avoiding exposure to those substances.

Cut the dust. Mites that live in common household dust often trigger asthma attacks.

Use washable polyester-filled pillows and enclose them in impermeable zippered casings. Mattresses should also be covered in similar casings.
Vacuum frequently. Hire out heavy cleaning.
Eliminate wall-to-wall carpets and heavy drapes. Keep other "dust catchers" to a minimum.
Consider installing an air purifier, especially in the room where you sleep. Use an air conditioner. Keep humidity between 25 and 40% using a dehumidifier.

Manage the mould. Stay out of dark, musty places.

Keep the windows of your home, office and vehicle closed.
Wipe down countertops, showers, baths, etc. with a disinfectant.
Regularly change filters in air conditioners, humidifiers and vaporisers.

Forgo pets. If animal fur/feathers is one of your allergens, it's probably best not to keep furry pets. For those who can't bear the thought of giving up pets, try these ideas:

Don't allow your pet on furniture, in your bedroom or in your car.
Wash your hands after handling your animal
Bathe your pet weekly or every other week to minimise animal dust.

Control your exposure to pollen

Hire someone else to mow your lawn.
Keep your windows closed, especially during peak times for your pollen allergen. Tree pollen is highest in spring; grass in late spring/early summer; weeds in late summer/early fall.
After being outside, wash yourself down.

Watch for temperature changes
Wear a scarf around your nose and mouth if going out into cold, dry weather.

Avoid bad air
Stay inside air conditioned environments as much as possible when the air quality is unhealthful and limit activity when outdoors on these days.

Avoid exposure to chemical irritants
Make sure there is adequate ventilation when you are around fumes from cleaning products, paint and varnish, nail polish, hair spray and other irritating substances.

Common Asthma Triggers

Allergens:
Dust mites
Cockroaches
Animal dander (fur, feather)
Grass, tree and weed pollen
Mould
Aspirin and aspirin-containing products
Nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, orange juice, strawberries, chocolate (in sensitive people)
Food additives (sulphites and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Irritants:
Smoke
Exercise
Air pollution
Tension/anxiety
Weather changes (temperature, wind, barometric pressure, humidity)

Use Self-Care

There are also plenty of things you can do to help manage your asthma condition.

Exercise regularly. Some people with asthma avoid exercise because they fear it will trigger an attack. However, the more exercise you do, the better your body will handle it. Besides, aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, making them more efficient. You may need to experiment to see which kinds of exercise are best for you. Use these guidelines:

Always warm up.
Begin with short workouts and gradually increase their duration and intensity.
Keep a bronchodilator on hand, especially at first. Use it if you can't "work through" tightness in your chest.
Keep your nose and mouth covered with a scarf in very cold or dry air. The scarf will help warm the air before it enters your lungs.
Cool down. End your exercise with a cool-down period of light exercise.

Practice deep breathing exercises.

Learn to relax.
Stress and anxiety can trigger asthma attacks. Practice relaxation techniques such as medication, biofeedback or progressive relaxation.