Asthma Health Article

Minimizing exposure to allergens

There are a number of ways to cut down exposure to the common allergens and irritants that provoke asthmatic attacks, or to avoid them altogether:

• If the patient is sensitive to a family pet, remove the animal or at least keep it out of the bedroom (with the bedroom door closed). Keep the pet away from carpets and upholstered furniture. Remove all feathers.
• To reduce exposure to house dust mites, remove wall-to-wall carpeting, keep the humidity down, and use special pillow and mattress covers. Cut down on stuffed toys, and wash them each week in hot water.
• If cockroach allergen is causing asthma attacks, kill the roaches (using poison, traps, or boric acid rather than chemicals). Take care not to leave food or garbage exposed.
• Keep indoor air clean by vacuuming carpets once or twice a week (with the patient absent), avoid using humidifiers, and do use air conditioning during warm weather (so that the windows can be closed).
• Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.
• Do not exercise outside when air pollution levels are high.
• When asthma is related to exposure at work, take all precautions, including wearing a mask and, if necessary, arrange to work in a safer area.

BOOKS

Gershwin, M. Eric, E. L. Klinglhofer. Asthma: Stop Suffering, Start Living. 2nd ed. Reading, MA: Addison-Wessey Publishing Co., l992.

Haas, Francois, and Sheila S Haas. The Essential Asthma Book: A Manual for Asthmatics of All Ages. New York: Ivy Books, 1987.

ORGANIZATIONS

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20036. (800) 727-8462. <http://www.aafa.org>.

Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. 3554 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. (800) 878-4403.

National Asthma Education Program. 4733 Bethesda Ave., Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814. 301-495-4484.

National Jewish Medical and Research Center. 1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80206. 800-222-LUNG.

David A. Cramer, MD

KEY TERMS

Allergen—A foreign substance, such as mites in house dust or animal dander which, when inhaled, causes the airways to narrow and produces symptoms of asthma.

Atopy—A state that makes persons more likely to develop allergic reactions of any type, including the inflammation and airway narrowing typical of asthma.

Hypersensitivity—The state where even a tiny amount of allergen can cause the airways to constrict and bring on an asthmatic attack.

Spirometry—A test using an instrument called a spirometer that shows how difficult it is for an asthmatic patient to breathe. Used to determine the severity of asthma and to see how well it is responding to treatment.