The document discusses common asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, pets, mold, pollen, chemical irritants, and physical exercise. It provides tips for reducing exposure to each trigger, including using covers for mattresses and pillows, vacuuming regularly, keeping pets out of bedrooms, fixing leaks to prevent mold growth, talking to a doctor about seasonal allergies and exercise-induced asthma. The overall message is that controlling exposure to various indoor and outdoor triggers can help manage asthma symptoms.

1. Asthma Triggers
What You Can Do
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/

2. Smoke
Tobacco smoke can cause asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, people should never smoke
near you, in your home, in your car, or wherever
you may spend a lot of time.
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?

3. Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny bugs you cannot see.
What can you do?
 Use “dust mite protective” covers for mattress
and pillowcases.
 Remove stuffed animals and other clutter.
 Wash your bedding on the hottest water
setting every 2 weeks.
Asthma
Triggers
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4. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are common in crowded urban
areas and older buildings.
 Every 2 to 3 days, vacuum or sweep areas that
attract cockroaches.
 Use traps to cut down on the number of
roaches in your home.
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?

5. Pets
Furry pets can trigger an asthma attack.
Unfortunately, the best way to keep animal dander
away is to remove the pets from your home.
If you can’t or don’t want to find a new home for
your pet, you can…
 Keep pets out of the bedroom.
 Vacuum often.
 Mop hard floors weekly.
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?

6. Mold
Breathing in mold can trigger an attack.
Humidity, moisture in the air, can make mold
grow.
 Get rid of mold in your home to help control
your attacks.
 Fix water leaks, which let mold grow behind
walls and under floors.
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?

7. Pollen
Pollen counts are highest between 5 – 10 AM and
on dry, hot and windy days.
 Ragweed (fall)
 Trees (spring)
 Grass (summer)
 Outdoor Mold (fall and spring)
 Talk to your doctor about seasonal allergies
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?

8. Chemical Irritants
Chemical irritants come in many forms:
 Perfume
 Cleaners
 Gasoline Fumes
 Paint fumes
Avoid chemical irritants when indoors or in areas
without good ventilation or air flow.
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?

9. Physical Exercise
If your asthma is poorly controlled, exercise may
cause an asthma attack.
Talk to your doctor about how to keep your
asthma in control so you can enjoy the benefits
of exercise.
Asthma
Triggers
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What can you do?