Prevent Allergy and Asthma Attacks at Home

The Basics Your home could be making you and your family sick. Your home could be making you and your family sick. If someone in your family has allergies or asthma, take steps to make your home a healthier place.How can I prevent allergy and asthma attacks at home? Start by getting rid of these common causes of attacks:<ul ><li>Mold or dampness</li><li>Dust mites (tiny bugs that live in dust)</li><li>Pets with fur, including cats and dogs</li><li>Cockroaches (roaches and their droppings may cause asthma)</li><li>Rodents (mice and rats)</li><li>Secondhand smoke</li><li>Wood smoke</li></ul>Learn more about:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/allergens.cfm" >Allergens</a> (things that can cause allergies)</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html" >Asthma triggers</a> (things that can cause asthma attacks)</li></ul>

Take Action! Make a no-smoking rule for your home. Follow these simple steps to make your home a healthier place.Start in the bedroom.<ul ><li>Cover your mattresses and pillows in “dust proof” covers.</li><li>Wash all your bedding in warm water at least once a week.</li><li>Keep stuffed animals off the bed.</li><li>If possible, remove all carpets. It’s easier to keep bare floors clean.</li></ul>Control moisture to prevent mold. Mold can start to grow in wet or damp places within 24 to 48 hours. Keep your home dry to prevent mold.<ul ><li>If you have a water leak, clean up the water right away. Then fix the leak.</li><li>Run the bathroom fan or open the window when you take a shower.</li><li>Use a de-humidifier or air conditioner to keep the humidity level in your home between 30 and 60 percent.</li></ul><a href="http://www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html" >Get more tips on preventing and cleaning up mold</a>.What if the air in my home is too dry? While moist (wet) air can lead to mold, dry air can be uncomfortable.If the air in your home is dry in the winter, you can use a humidifier. Just be sure to still keep the humidity level between 30 and 60 percent.Keep pests out of your home. Cockroaches, their droppings, and rodents (mice and rats) can trigger asthma attacks. Take these steps to help prevent pests:<ul ><li>Fix leaks in sinks and toilets.</li><li>Put trays under your plants, radiators, and refrigerator. Check the trays for water and clean them often.</li><li>Store food (including pet food) in closed containers.</li><li>Clean up crumbs and spills right away.</li><li>Fill in cracks or holes that could be good indoor hiding places for pests.</li><li>Put screens in your windows and doors.</li><li>If you see roaches or rodents, call a pest control company.</li></ul>Make a no-smoking rule in your home. Cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke, can cause an asthma or allergy attack. Ask your guests to smoke outside. If you smoke, <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=24">make a plan to quit today</a>.Avoid burning wood inside your home. Breathing too much smoke from a wood-burning stove or fireplace can cause an asthma attack. If you can avoid it, don’t burn wood in your home.If you need to use a wood stove or fireplace, <a href="http://www.epa.gov/asthma/woodsmoke.html" >check out these tips on how to reduce the smoke</a>.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/Virtual-Allergist.aspx">Use the Virtual Allergist tool</a> to find out more about your allergy or asthma symptoms.</li><li>Look for signs of mold in your home.</li><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/10_steps_en.pdf" >Print these 10 tips to make your home asthma-friendly [PDF - 60 KB]</a>.</li></ul>