9 Asthma and Other Illness Triggers and What You Can Do About Them

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 7.8% of Americans suffer from asthma.

Many folks come to us over concerns about mold. And while it is certainly a problem that could affect one’s health, there are other irritants, allergens, VOCs, toxins, and pollutants that can be just as harmful.

At A Healthier Home, we look for many problematic pollutants, irritants, allergens, and toxins in addition to mold. When examining a home, we’re there to help folks suffering from asthma and other respiratory problems, to identify hidden pitfalls which block the pathway to better breathing.

Here is a list of the triggers we look for during a home health exam along with a comprehensive list of healthy habits to keep the environment free of these environmental triggers.

The Usual Suspects

These are the most common triggers and what can be done to remove them or avoid them.

1. Mold

Mold thrives in damp or wet environments. You may notice a musty odor in the home. If you’re not sure where to look, or there’s nothing obviously moldy, check out the HVAC system (inside air handlers and duct work), crawlspaces and basements. That’s where we most often find it.

Solution: Change the conditions under which mold grows. Mold needs moisture, so find those damp or wet spots, and make the necessary repairs and changes. Look in hidden areas inside the air handler, crawlspace, or basement. Look for leaks or water intrusion. Monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer to see if you are staying below 55%. Need help defining if you have mold and what to do about it? Call A Healthier Home to come and take a look!

2. Smoke

It is well documented that secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone’s health. In fact, there is even now what is called third hand smoke, the toxic residue left over on walls, in carpets and furniture. This includes tobacco, vape pens, and yes, marijuana. Small particulates make their way deep into the lungs, a common trigger for asthma. More studies are linking vaping to potentially causing asthma. You hopefully have some control over these pollutants in your home.

Solution: Don’t Smoke. Don’t allow others to smoke or vape in or near your home. Make sure your children’s daycare or school is tobacco-free. Look for public spaces that do not allow smoking/vaping.

Avoid standing near people who are smoking/vaping. If you or someone in your home does smoke, get help with quitting.

3. Dust Mites

A major asthma trigger, dust mites thrive in humid and dusty environments. They are found in every home, but some homes may have a larger problem due to humidity issues. They particularly thrive in our mattresses and bedding. In fact, wheezing and difficulty breathing could be an allergy to dust mites.

Solution: Keep the humidity low (ideally below 50%)– monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer. Use a dehumidifier if needed. Replace upholstery and carpets if you can; if not vacuum regularly and have them professionally cleaned as often as you can afford. Damp clean the floors; dust regularly. Cover your mattress and box spring in an airtight cover. Wash bedding including pillowcases once a week. Minimizer dust catchers ie knick knacks, blinds, rugs, etc.

4. Pests

Cockroaches, mice, bats. Nobody wants pests in their home. We find that many folks weren’t even aware of the pests that were hiding in places that are out of sight and out of mind. You just need to know where to look.

Solution: We recommend stopping the pests from finding their way into the home in the first place. There are some basic cleanliness recommendations, such as taking out the trash, storing food in airtight containers, monitoring your pantry for critters, addressing moisture issues, and keeping things clean and free of clutter. But, also you want to seal up their pathways from the outside, and you likely won’t be battling them inside. A Healthier Home will look for signs of pest activity and also let you know just how they are invading your space, and give you some tips on how to stop them.

5. Pets and Feathers

Unlike pests, pets are the critters that we want to keep in the home. Unfortunately, many folks are sensitive or have allergies to pet dander. Some pets shed dander more than others. There are some ways you can keep your pet(s) AND reduce the dander you’re exposed to.

Solution: This one can be tough but try to keep pets out of the bedroom. This one can be hard on pets and their owners, but sleep is very important to health and recovery efforts. Upgrade your indoor air quality with better filtration– here are some helpful options to consider. Wash hands after touching any type of pet. Give pets a weekly bath to reduce dander build-up, and brush them outside as frequently as you can. Wash the pet’s bedding weekly in hot water as well (tip: use a blanket instead of a pet bed that can’t be washed). As for feathers, avoid using bedding products that contain feathers or kapok i.e. silky fibers from seed pods of silk-cotton tree.

6. Cleaning Products, Fragrances, and Other Chemicals

Don’t let the phrase Volatile Organic Compounds fool you. Most cleaning products are full of VOC additives and fragrances that can trigger an asthma attack. And, other culprits are perfume, cosmetics, hairspray, laundry detergent, carpets, cabinets, flooring, paint, sealants, insulation, and other building products. To name a few.

Solution: Since there are so many possibilities, start by eliminating one-by-one. Avoid using products with strong odors. Instead, use asthma and allergy friendly products like these or make your own. Avoid diffusing essential oils or using plug-in style fragrances. When cleaning, ventilate by opening a window or door and turn on an exhaust fan (weather conditions or high levels of outdoor allergens may make this option undesirable, so be mindful). Use products safely and correctly – do not mix chemicals together. Spray cleaner on a wash cloth or paper towel instead of spraying on the surface. And when painting, look for low VOC paint, and avoid spending time in rooms immediately after they have been painted.

7. Pollen and Outdoor Mold

While it can be very good for your health to get outside, sometimes air pollution or pollen can trigger asthma attacks. Pollution comes from many sources– factories, fires, car emissions, high mold or pollen levels, smoke, and dust.

Solution: Pay attention to local weather conditions and air pollution levels. There are many free weather apps that can tell you about typical triggers such as pollen, grasses and humidity. Avoid opening doors and windows on days with elevated levels of air pollution or pollen. Make a note of the distance between your living space and possible sites that might be emitting pollutants. Again, filtration is your friend when it comes to these types of pollutants.

9. Other Potential Triggers

Illnesses, like cold and flu viruses, are obviously another big trigger. Some other lesser known triggers: Houseplants, ladybugs, stuffed toys, some air cleaning devices, mothballs, antibacterial soap, certain foods and spices, infection, cold/dry air, insect sprays, incense, candles, ozone, and thunderstorms. Man-made EMF may also be a contributor!

Solution: You may not be able to avoid some things, like cold weather, but think outside the box– does breathing through a mask help keep the cold air from being so dry? Check to see if your home has any ozone producing air cleaners– air purifiers can be tricky about emitting this contaminant, even when they say they do not. Some houseplants can be beneficial, while others might make asthma worse. Reduce your EMF exposure where you can. Avoid candles, incense, and diffusers.

And, most importantly, KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Make your home easy to clean by reducing clutter and other items that collect dust (rugs, curtains, knick knacks).
Store items in plastic totes so they collect less dust.
Clean under appliances and in hidden corners.

Reducing the amount of things that need to be cleaned will make cleaning much easier and more effective. No one is suggesting you remove all your favorite knick-knacks, never go outside, remove all your rugs and upholstered furniture, and live like a hermit. Yes, this is a long list! But, often, with a little detective work – and isolating these triggers – we can find the culprits that are keeping you from enjoying a healthier home environment.

One final note:

If you have illness, asthma, respiratory, or other health concerns, consult with your doctor, care and wellness team. There are many factors that affect bodily health which cannot be are not addressed by A Healthier Home. We aren’t doctors; we can, however, confirm some aspects of the healthiness of your house (or work) environment.

Share this information with your doctor, they can best assess the impact on your bodily health and wellness.