Child Asthma: Controlling Asthma Triggers at Home

You can help control your child's asthma by controlling asthma triggers in your home.

Tobacco Smoke

Do not allow family members or friends to smoke cigarettes around a person with asthma. Ask friends and family to smoke outside.

Wood Smoke

Wood smoke can trigger asthma symptoms. Avoid wood stoves and fireplaces.

Pets

If pets trigger asthma or allergy symptoms, the pet should be removed from the home if possible. If the pet remains in the home, do not allow the pet inside your child's bedroom or bathroom. Additionally, bathe the pet weekly to help cut down the amount of pet saliva and dander in the home.

Cockroaches

The cockroach allergen comes from dead cockroaches and cockroach droppings. Make every effort to eliminate cockroaches from your home by keeping your house clean and not allowing any food to be left out in the open.

Indoor Mold

Make sure your bathroom, kitchen and basement have good air circulation and clean them often. When humidity is high, mold can be a problem in these areas. Molds may also form on foam pillows when your child perspires. Place the pillow in an airtight cover and tape the cover shut to help prevent mold. Remember to wash the pillow once a week and replace it every year. Mold can also form in house plants, so you may choose to keep all plants outside.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are a major asthma trigger. Several thousand dust mites can be found in one pinch of dust. To help remove dust mites from your home, use an allergy control solution. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best cleaner to buy.