Though your lung capacity may be temporarily compromised when asthma flares up, it doesn’t necessarily have to limit how you live your life. Environmental factors are largely to blame for developing asthma, such as a frequent buildup of dust or mold in your home. The location of your home also plays a part in your respiratory health. Living in an area with high levels of pollution, especially as a child, makes you more likely to develop breathing problems that lead to asthma.
An article published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in 2023 addressed the two to three times higher incidence of asthma among Black American children compared to white children. The study concluded that children in lower-income areas are more likely to develop asthma, as those areas tend to be more highly polluted.
If you can’t change the location of where you live, there are easy steps you can take to best control the space you live in. Ridding your home of dust every one to two weeks by wiping down furniture with polish and vacuuming significantly reduces allergens and other such triggers. Damp asthma-friendly wiping cloths are best at collecting and trapping dust particles, and weekly cleanings produce the best results.
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Mold is a dust-like substance that certain fungi can produce, and it’s commonly found in damp spaces with little to no ventilation or airflow, like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Repeated exposure to mold spores can lead to developing mold sickness, the symptoms of which include sneezing, nose or throat irritation, and watery or itchy eyes. If left untreated mold sickness can develop into asthma.
Once mold is cleared from the home, it’s important to maintain the right temperature and control the levels of moisture so that mold spores don’t return and cause another flare-up. On the other side of the same coin, air that is too dry may also contribute to asthma attacks, and using a humidifier has proven to reduce said attacks. Using an air conditioner may help improve indoor air quality, but extreme cold will aggravate existing asthma.
Regularly moderated indoor humidity levels for the home fall between 30 to 50 percent, helping to reduce the severity of symptoms and potentially prevent future flare-ups. If you live in a damp climate, using a dehumidifier will slow further mold growth but not eliminate existing mold. Finding balance is key. Having a humidifier will greatly help if you live in a dry climate. Always use distilled water in a humidifier, as tap water contains airborne minerals that may irritate your lungs. Clean the humidifier every few days and change the filter weekly. Avoid using products with bleach or other irritants to clean it as well. Asthma-friendly cleaning products include salt, baking soda, borax, and vinegar.
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Spending cold nights next to a fire may have to be reconsidered since wood smoke is an absolute trigger for asthma sufferers. Enough exposure can cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs, as well as a weakening of the immune system that can lead to lung infections.
Limiting exposure to dust mites will also reduce asthma symptoms and triggers. If you are able, replace carpeted floors with hardwood floors. Otherwise, steam vacuuming has been proven to successfully eliminate mites in carpets, runners, and rugs. Washing your bed sheets and pillowcases regularly in hot water is another great protective measure.
If you live in a home with pets and find that you react to their dander, it’s time to get tested. Though harmless overall, pet dander allergies exacerbate asthma symptoms to a very uncomfortable degree. Avoiding close contact with pets and keeping them out of your room (especially off of the bed) is strongly suggested, as is using a good quality air purifier to reduce the amount of dander you come into contact with.
Finding the right balance is key, especially when managing asthma symptoms at home. Remember to monitor your symptoms to track whether they lessen or become more severe in the morning or evening, when you’re at home versus when you’re out, and before or after activities like playing and exercising.
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