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Asthma episodes are triggered when a sensitized individual is exposed to certain substances or conditions. Not all asthmatic individuals react to all triggers. Some individuals may be affected by only one allergen; others, by several or a combination of two or more. Triggers that are found outside the body are called extrinsic. Triggers related to someone's health are called intrinsic.
Indoor Triggers Indoor triggers include: cigarette smoke, dust, dust mites, foods, pollen, straw, feathers, hair, fibers, formaldehyde, sprays, pesticides, deodorizers, mold, fungus, pets, cockroaches, gas from stoves, garbage, and more than 250 known causative agents responsible for occupational asthma. Indoor triggers are extrinsic (outside the body). Outdoor Triggers Outdoor triggers include: dust, dirt, diesel emissions, smoke, air-borne particulates, garbage storage, garbage disposal, pollen, smog, ozone, heat, cold, factory smelter emissions, volatile organic compounds, many gases including sulfur dioxide and the nitrogen oxides. Outdoor triggers are extrinsic. Outdoor triggers are extrinsic (outside the body). Allergens An allergen is any substance that causes an allergic reaction. This reactions also serves to cause asthma attacks. Once your child is diagnosed with asthma it is important for them to get tested for allergies. This is an easy way to discover what could be triggering yoru child's asthma, so you can avoid these substances. Listed below are some of the most common sources of allergens. Pets More than 70% of U.S. households have a dog or cat. (An estimated 10% of the entire population may be allergic to animals.) Pets provide companionship, security and a sense of comfort. However, people with allergies should be cautious in deciding what type of pet they can safely bring into their home. Furry and feathered pets may cause problems for people with asthma. Animal dander (dead skin that is continually shed), urine, feces and saliva can cause asthma exacerbations and allergy symptoms. (Animal hair is not considered to be a very significant allergen. However, the hair or fur can collect pollen, dust, mold and other allergens.) Cats, dogs, birds, rodents (hamsters, gerbils) and horses are common examples of feathered or furry animals.  Floyd the Asthmatic Cat If you do not own a feathered or furry pet, do not get one because you can develop allergies with repeated exposure. Additionally, allergic patients should not use feather pillows or down comforters. If a feather pillow is used, it should be encased in plastic or an encasing with a zipper, so none of the feathers can escape.
Cockroaches Many homes have problems with cockroaches. And many people with asthma are allergic to roach droppings or "roach dust." Roach dust is made up of cockroach body parts and excrement. The roach dust is still around even after you get rid of the roaches. A thorough cleaning is important to get rid of all the roach dust. Roach dust is a very strong asthma tirgger.
Rats and Mice Another type of pest that can be a problem in many homes is rats and mice. Rate droppings, drool, and urine contain chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions. New products (baits and traps) are safer than than sprays, the best trap being odorless sticky paper. "Integrated pest management" or IPM, can also be used by pest control companies, landlords, homeowners and tenants, to get rid of rat problems
Dust The tiny particles that form dust are very easily breathed in and absorbed by the lungs. It is difficult to get rid of all the dust in your house, but there are several things you can do to help reduce the amount of dust in your house.
Dust mites are microscopic insects that live off of dead skin cells and flour dust. Dustmites can be found anywhere around your house, but are mainly located in carpets, mattresses, soft furniture, and sheets where they can easly access humidity and dead skin cells. The average person sheds enough skin each day to feed close to one million dust mites.
Pollen Pollen or plant material, like dust can easily be absorbed by the lungs and are a common source of allergies for many people. People with asthma should take special care during spring and early summer when pollen counts are at their highest. At these times, it is important to avoid areas with lots of plant material. Asthmatics should also be cautious during the fall when dried leaves and other plan material create dust.
Mold and Mildew Mold is a fungus that commonly grows in areas where there is a lot of humidity. In houses, it is most commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens. It might be most visible as dark areas of growth on the walls, but mold can be found anywhere. For example, if you've ever noticed a funny smell coming from your towels, that is mold. Mildew is a specific type of mold that grows on flat sufaces, like shower walls. Mold reproduces by creating spores that it send out into the air. These spores are easily breathed in and trigger allergies for many people.  Black mold growing on bathroom tiles
Fumes and Odors Anything with a stong smell or odor can cause someone to have an asthma episode. Common sources of strong odors in the home include:
Idling Vehicles Idling vehicles produce exhaust and exhaust fumes are bad for our health and bad for the environment. Diesel fumes are the worst. Vehicles that run on diesel fuel contribute a disproportionate amount of air pollution and toxic risk: specifically, oxides of nitrogen, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) and air toxics. School buses that run on diesel fuel are notable polluters. Recent scientific studies point to evidence that diesel emissions not only exacerbate asthma but that prolonged exposure can cause asthma and can set-up a propensity for asthma in the unborn. (Even ordinary car emissions–including but not limited to diesel exhaust–can damage the DNA of fetuses while they are still in the womb.)  Big Yellow Trigger The fine particulates of diesel fuel can bypass respiratory defense mechanisms and lodge deep in the lungs, impairing lung function. While prolonged exposure to particulate matter is a factor in reducing overall life expectancy by a few years, short-term exposure is associated with increased risk of death from heart attacks or other cardiovascular events. Diesel fumes may enhance the effects of some allergens among sensitive individuals. Children, because of their proximal relationship to diesel-powered school buses and their quick metabolisms, are at particular risk. Secondhand Smoke Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke breathed out by a smoker. Secondhand smoke exposure causes a number of serious health effects in young children, such as coughing and wheezing, bronchitis and pneumonia, ear infections, reduced lung function, and worsened asthma attacks. Secondhand smoke is an irritant which may trigger an asthma episode, and increasing evidence suggests secondhand smoke may cause asthma in children. With every puff, a cigarette releases 4,000 chemicals, of which fifty are known to cause cancer. Air-borne toxins from cigarettes are a major trigger for asthma in children. Cigarette smoke trapped in clothing fibers can have the same effect. smoking Almost every adult smoker knows the health consequences of first and secondhand smoke yet they continue to use tobacco. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that between 200,000 and 1,000,000 children with asthma have their condition made worse by exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can also lead to buildup of fluid in the middle ear, the most common cause of children being hospitalized for an operation. For some interesting facts about secondhand smoke (ETS) visit: http://www.no-smoke.org/document.php?id=215
Health Related Triggers Health-related non-allergenic triggers include: infection, colds, flu, posture, bronchial compression from external pressure, obesity, obstruction by a foreign body, physical or psychological stress, and exposure to cold air. A few cases may be caused by an inherited or acquired defect related to the control of airway diameter. It is important if you have any of these conditions to take special care when managing you asthma. make sure you keep your pump, or quick-relief medication, handy.
Lifestyle Related Triggers There are many parts of our daily life that can affect asthma from the weather to the foods we eat. They can also include our emotions and level of stress, which can also induce asthma attacks. Here are some recommendations on things to watch out for: Weather *Be sure to bundle up in cold weather. Keep mouths and noses covered to avoid breathing in cold air. *In hot and humid weather be sure to use fans or air conditioners to keep air fresh and circulating Foods *Avoid greasy foods and dairy products
Exercise For some people exercise can induce an asthma attack. However, exercise is important. Without exercise lungs can become weaker, so it is important for even those with exercise induced asthma to find ways to exercise. Water exercises as especially good for people with asthma. No matter what you choose, be sure to use your quick-relief medication about 20 minutes before working out to avoid having an asthma attack.
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