Table 2.
Common asthma triggers and suggested remediation strategies
| Triggera | Strategies |
|---|---|
| Ambient air pollution | Remain indoors during poor air quality days |
| Certain foods | Test for food-specific allergies, avoidance |
| Cigarette smoke | Smoking cessation assistance, home smoking ban |
| Cockroaches | Sweep and vacuum regularly, use roach traps |
| Combustion smoke | Avoid use of wood-burning fireplaces |
| Dust mites | Use mattress and pillowcase covers, avoid down-filled pillows and blankets, wash bedding regularly |
| Emotional distress | Address comorbid depression, involve behavioral specialists |
| Fragrances | Avoidance |
| Indoor air pollution | Reduce source exposure (eg, perform maintenance to reduce NO2 from appliances, such as gas stoves and gas heaters); routinely change central air filters; portable air purifiers |
| Molds | Address leaks, reduce home humidity |
| Pets | Remove or keep pets outdoors |
| Pollens | Remain indoors during morning through midday when specific agent is pollinating |
| Weather events (eg, rain, heat) | Remain indoors during weather events |
a
Trigger-specific strategies should only be suggested if patient is sensitive to that trigger; each patient will have different patterns of asthma triggers.