Airway irritants, infections, or things you are allergic to can cause asthma attacks. Things that might cause an asthma attack include: animal dander drugs (especially aspirin) pollens cleaning products dust mites air pollution cigarettes exercise second-hand smoke cigars and pipes fatigue some foods cold air molds viral infections (colds and flu) What happens during an asthma attack? When your lungs are exposed to irritants, the muscles around the airways get tight. This narrows the airways. The linings inside the airways swell and the airways become even smaller. These linings also produce extra mucus, which clogs the airways even more. Is there a cure for asthma? There is no cure for asthma but you can control your symptoms. By avoiding things that cause asthma attacks and using your medicines as directed you can lead a normal active life. What can I do to control my asthma? • DO NOT SMOKE. Avoid second-hand smoke. • Keep a record of your symptoms and what causes them. • Avoid thing
Susie has asthma attacks when she is near Dogs or Cats, and when she is outside with lots of tree pollen. But, different kids are sensitive to different allergens, substances that cause allergic reactions in the airways. A lot of kids have asthma attacks when they are near furry animals that have dander. Some substances like smoke and smog can be triggers because they are very irritating to the airways and can act just like allergens. Common triggers for kids with asthma are: • dust mites (mites are tiny bugs that live in dust) • mold (if you’ve ever been in a damp basement and smelled something funny, it was probably mold) • pollen (from trees, grass, flowers and weeds) • Cats and dogs both have what’s called animal dander in their fur. This is sort of like dandruff, and it’s a trigger that can cause a powerful reaction in the airways • perfume • chalk dust • cigarette smoke (Smoking is always a bad idea, and especially around someone who has asthma) • pollution or smog Sometimes an i
Different factors can trigger an asthma attack in each person. The most common triggers are: • Infections like colds, viruses, flu, and sinus infections • Allergens like pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites • Irritants including air pollution or strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions • Tobacco smoke • Exercise or exertion • Cold air or changes in temperature or humidity • Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter, crying, and stress In people with asthma, exposure to even the slightest amount of an irritant or allergen like smoke, pollen, dust, or fumes can bring on an attack.
An asthma attack can occur when you are exposed to things in the environment, such as house dust mites and tobacco smoke. These are called asthma triggers. Some of the most important triggers are available at Important Asthma Triggers. The above text is from the “You Can Control Your Asthma” [PDF, 4074KB] full-color brochure and is suitable for downloading and printing.
This is where asthma gets tricky. Different factors can trigger an asthma attack in each person. The most common triggers: • Infections like colds, viruses, flu, and sinus infections • Allergens like pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites • Irritants including air pollution or strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions • Tobacco smoke • Exercise or exertion • Cold air or changes in temperature or humidity • Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter, crying, and stress In people with asthma, exposure to even the slightest amount of an irritant or allergen like smoke, pollen, dust, or fumes can bring on an attack. Occupational asthma, also called “work-aggravated” asthma, is caused or made worse by exposure to substances in the workplace. For example, a health care worker who has an allergic reaction to latex gloves could develop asthma. Or a worker exposed to substances like ammonia, adhesives, or epoxy resins could develop asthma due to an irritant effect, not an allergi