Helping the Community to Breathe Easier
Sonoma County Asthma Coalition
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Asthma Triggers

Dust | Animals | Odors & Sprays | Weather | Smoke ]
Emotions | Pollen | Mold | Other Outdoor Triggers ]

Dust

Man Cleaning Dust Dust often with a damp cloth or mop.
Wash stuffed animals often. Don’t let your child sleep with them.
Put dustproof cases on pillows, mattresses and box springs.
Wash sheets weekly in hot water.

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Animals

Puppy With Bone Keep cats, dogs, & birds outside, or at least out of the child’s bedroom.
Bathe pets weekly.
Consider dander-free pets, like fish or turtles.
   

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Odors & Sprays

Perfume Bottle Spraying Scent Try not to use aerosol sprays, mothballs, paint, and any cleaning products that have a strong scent.
Don’t use hairspray, spray deodorant, perfumes, or powders around your child.
Turn on the exhaust fan when you cook.

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Weather

Woman Walking in Cold Weather Limit outdoor play when the weather turns cold and dry or gets hot and humid. Changes in the weather can cause a flare-up.
Cover the child’s mouth and nose with a scarf in very cold weather.

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Smoke

Burning Cigarette Don’t allow smoking in your house.
Make sure smoke from fireplaces and wood-burning stoves doesn't get into the room.
Sit in the non-smoking section when eating out.
Ask for non-smoking cars and hotel rooms.

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Emotions

Boy Laughing Laughing, crying, getting excited, or getting angry change the way your child breathes. This can lead to a flare-up.
Remind your child to breathe slowly and deeply for a few minutes if these emotions start to trigger a flare-up.
Ask your health care provider to show your child how to do deep breathing.

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Pollen

Growing Weeds Turn on air conditioning instead of opening the windows. Change the filters often.
Dry clothes and bedding in the dryer, not outside on a clothesline.
   

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Mold

Cleaning Surface Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be replaced if they are contaminated with mold.
Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher.
Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
Keep humidity low indoors.

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Other Outdoor Triggers

Other Outdoor Triggers Other outdoor triggers include particulate matter (particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs) from pesticides, woodsmoke, diesel and other pollutants.
Stay indoors as much as possible on days when the air quality in the area is poor.
If you must use a wood heater or stove, only use models approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Use lower emission vehicles for travel and take the bus, carpool or bicycle whenever possible.
Support local and state legislation that works to clean up the air.

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Updated by webmaster on September 20, 2004