health

People with asthma should try to figure out what makes their symptoms
worse and take steps to avoid or control those substances or situations.
Here are a few ways that many people control some common asthma triggers.
Not all of them will work for everyone

Pollens and outdoor molds To control pollens and outdoor molds,
people with asthma often do the following:

• keep windows and doors closed when pollen or mold spore counts
  are high
• avoid walking in gardens and fields when they are in bloom and
  when pollen and mold spore counts are highest
• ride with the car windows shut and the air conditioner on during
  pollen season
• ask their doctors about starting or increasing a long-term control
  medicine before peak pollen season begins

Indoor molds To control indoor molds, people with asthma often do
the following:

• fix leaky faucets, pipes, and other sources of water
  
• clean moldy surfaces with a product that contains bleach
• remove wallpaper, which can have mold growing on it
  
• get rid of houseplants, which can gather mold and dust

Animal dander Dander is small scales from the hair of animals, such
as cats, and from bird feathers. Some people are allergic to it, and people
with asthma often take the following steps:

• keep pets with fur or feathers out of their homes, if possible
  
• have pets stay out of bedrooms, in particular, and keep bedroom
  doors closed
  
• remove carpets and cloth-covered furniture or keep pets away from
  these materials
  
• use polyester-fill rather than feather pillows and avoid down
  comforters

Dust mites People with asthma often find that they are allergic to dust
because of the tiny animals that live in the dust, called mites. Many people
with asthma find that it helps to keep their homes especially free of
dust. For example, they take the following steps:

• wash their bedding each week in hot water (it must be hotter than
  130 degrees F to kill mites)
  
• enclose mattresses and pillows in special dust-proof covers or wash
  pillows each week in hot water
  
• try not to sleep or lie on cloth-covered furniture or cushions
  
• remove carpets in bedrooms and those laid on concrete
  
• keep stuffed toys out of beds and wash the toys each week in hot
  water
  
• wear a dust mask while vacuuming or have someone else do the
  vacuuming

Cockroaches Many people with asthma are sensitive to cockroach
droppings and make a special effort to get rid of these stubborn creatures
by taking the following steps:

• keeping all food out of bedrooms
  
• storing food and garbage in closed containers and never leaving
  food or crumbs sitting around
  
• using poison bait, powder, gel, paste, or traps (following label
  instructions) to kill cockroaches
  
• staying out of the room until the odor goes away if a spray is used
  to kill roaches

Certain foods and medicines It is important to do the following:

• avoid foods that have caused problems in the past
  
• tell the doctor about any past reactions to medicines

Smoke and strong odors Smoking is not good for people, not good
for the person smoking or people who are in the same room with tobacco
smoke. People with asthma are especially endangered by tobacco smoke
and find it is best not to smoke, to ask other family members to quit
smoking, and to ask visitors not to smoke.
People with asthma also do the following:

• avoid using a wood-burning stove, kerosene heater, or fireplace, if
  possible
  
• try to stay away from strong odors and fumes, such as perfume,
  hairspray, and fresh paint

Exercise It is healthy for just about everyone to exercise, and people
with asthma are no exception. To make their exercise and sports activities
more enjoyable, people with asthma usually do the following:

• warm up for six to ten minutes before exercising
  
• avoid exercising outside when air pollution or pollen counts are
  high or when the air is cold
  
• pick activities that do not cause symptoms (sports that involve running
  are the most likely to trigger problems)
  
• ask a doctor about taking medicine before exercise to prevent
  symptoms