4 Important Tips to Prevent Childhood Asthma Attacks
If your child suffers from asthma, you are probably already aware of some of the triggers. Any number of things can trigger an asthma attack – from the fumes coming out of your fireplace to the secondhand smoke wafting through your home. We recently wrote a blog on how to reduce asthma problems by changing your child’s diet, but in this blog, we want to discuss several other ways to help your kids deal with this deadly disease.
You already know that keeping these triggers to a minimum is one of the best ways to keep those asthma attacks reduced. While nothing can eliminate all asthma attacks, making a few changes around your home can make your child healthier and happier.
Eliminate Secondhand Smoke
According to experts, smoke is as dangerous or even more dangerous than direct smoking, and children are especially susceptible to its negative effects.
Smoke is one of the most powerful asthma triggers – and one of the easiest to avoid. Simply living in a home where smokers are lighting up can significantly increase the odds of an asthma attack. If your child has asthma, you owe it to yourself and your family to completely cut out the secondhand smoke.
That means not allowing smoking inside your home, even when the asthma sufferer is not present. The fumes from those cigarettes can linger throughout the home – in the curtains, in the carpets and even in your child’s toys. Making sure that no one – from parents and relatives to caregivers and visitors – smokes inside your home is one of the most effective ways to keep those asthma attacks at bay.
Watch Those Household Chemicals
The average home is filled with chemicals – from the pesticide sprays, you use in the garden to the glass cleaner you use on your windows. Those household chemicals may not bother you, but they could be a real trigger for someone with asthma.
It is a good idea to limit the kind and amount of chemicals you use around the home – and to look for natural alternatives wherever and whenever you can. Those natural cleansers can be just as effective as the chemical kind – and much less likely to trigger an asthma attack.
Keep it Clean
Cleanliness is essential in a home where an asthma sufferer lives. Phoenix desert dust mites, mold, mildew, roof rats, and other contaminants can trigger asthma attacks – especially in children. Keeping those contaminants at bay is a great way to reduce asthma attacks and protect your child.
That means washing sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding frequently to limit the number of dust mites in the bedroom. It also means keeping cockroaches and cats (pet fur is not good either!) at bay by always storing leftovers in airtight containers – or in the refrigerator. If you do spot household pests, use closed baits and traps – avoid spray pesticides that could trigger an asthma attack.
You can help prevent mold and mildew in your home by immediately fixing any cracks or leaks you find. Watch for signs of water damage, and always investigate any wet spots. Running the exhaust fan every time, you take a shower can also reduce the growth of mold and mildew.
Shield Your Lungs from Pollen
When the sun is shining and the pavement is hot enough to fry an egg, just walking outside could trigger an asthma attack in a vulnerable individual. Asthma sufferers are more likely to suffer respiratory problems than those who do not suffer from asthma and having a basic understanding of pollinating plants and their associated pollen counts could be critical.
A number of plants common in the Phoenix metro area are huge sources of pollen, not just in the hot summer months but all year long. For homeowners mowing their lawns and irrigating their yards, weeds are a big problem. Simply watering the grass or spraying the weeds could send pollen particles flying, so it is important for asthma sufferers to protect themselves.
Other sources of pollen can hide in our lush greenbelts and desert mountain preserves. If you love to hike and spend time outdoors, researching pollen counts before you head out could be a smart move. You can also use information about high pollen counts to time your hikes and choose trails that are less likely to trigger your respiratory issues.
Phoenix is a wonderful place to be, and it is blessed with amazing natural beauty. You do not have to hide indoors or avoid the great things the area has to offer. All you need is a healthy dose of common sense and some basic knowledge.
Making a few simple changes around your home can significantly reduce the number of asthma issues your child suffers from. These changes are not difficult to make, and they can help the asthma sufferer in your home enjoy a more comfortable life, and avoid a deadly attack.
If you need more help and live in the Phoenix area, please contact our asthma and allergy office for an appointment with one of our Board Certified doctors. We have 5 locations in the Valley to serve you and your family- and are known for the care and experience when working with children!