The World Health Organization (WHO) says that around 235 million people have asthma. Even more surprising is that many of these cases are caused by things that can be prevented. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that secondhand smoke, something that can make asthma worse, is found in up to 30% of homes where children with asthma live. We could help millions of asthma cases by making sure people aren’t around secondhand smoke. You can learn how to find these things that can make asthma worse and do things to stop them. If you read the information below, you can start to make your asthma better.
Things to Avoid to Help Your Breathing
Keep Your Home Clean
Cleaning your home a lot can help stop things that make asthma worse. Things like dust mites, pet fur, and mold can make asthma worse if you breathe them in.
Using a wet cloth to clean can help because it catches these things instead of spreading them in the air. Vacuum cleaners with special filters called HEPA filters are really good at catching tiny things that normal vacuum cleaners can’t catch.
This can help a lot in places with carpets, because carpets can trap these things. You should also clean furniture and curtains using steam.
Don’t keep a lot of stuff around because that can make dust build up. Some cleaning things can make asthma worse, so try to use things that don’t have a strong smell.
If you clean your home regularly, like once a week, it will be easier to do and there will be less stuff that can make your asthma worse.
Stop Mold from Growing
Mold is a common thing that can make asthma worse, and if it’s in your home, it can make breathing problems worse. Mold grows in damp places, like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
To stop mold, fix leaks and plumbing problems as soon as you find them. Make sure places that get wet a lot have good air flow, and use machines that take moisture out of the air if you need to.
Cleaning and disinfecting places where mold grows, like shower curtains and windowsills, can help. You can also use paint that stops mold in places that get wet a lot.
If you find mold in your home, you need to get rid of it right away and fix what’s making it damp. Doing these things can help stop mold from making your asthma worse. But if your asthma is still bad, even after you do these things, talk to a doctor or someone who knows a lot about allergies.
Cover Your Pillows and Mattresses
Putting special covers on your pillows and mattresses can help if your asthma is made worse by dust mites. These tiny things live in beds and eat skin cells that people lose.
Their poop has things in it that can fly in the air and make your asthma worse. These special covers stop dust mite stuff from getting in the air when you sleep.
When you choose covers, pick ones that are made from things that stop allergens and are tested to make sure they work. The covers should go all the way around the pillows and mattresses, so nothing can get out.
Wash the covers a lot and wash the sheets and blankets in hot water. Hot water kills dust mites and takes away stuff that makes your asthma worse.
You can also get special covers for blankets and the bottom of your bed for even more protection. If you do these things, your asthma might get better when you sleep, and you’ll be around less dust mite stuff, which can help you control your asthma better.
Think About Your Pets
For many people with asthma, pet fur can make breathing worse. If you or someone in your house has asthma, it’s a good idea to get pets that don’t have fur that can make asthma worse. Some kinds of pets have fur that doesn’t cause allergies, or they don’t lose much fur.
Bathing and brushing your pets a lot can help you have less fur around. Tell your pets they can’t go in some places in the house, like bedrooms where you sleep.
This can help you have less fur around, so your asthma can get better. Vacuuming carpets, furniture, and pet beds a lot can also help you get rid of fur and skin that make your asthma worse.
Use a vacuum with a special filter called a HEPA filter. It’s good at catching tiny bits that can make allergies and asthma worse. If you have really bad allergies or asthma from pets, you might need to find a new home for your pets.
It can be hard to do, but it can make your asthma better and you’ll feel better too.
Stay Away from Cigarette Smoke
Smoke from cigarettes is bad for people who smoke and for people who don’t. Being near smoke can make your asthma worse and make you have more asthma attacks. If you or someone in your house smokes, the best thing is to stop smoking to be healthier.
It’s very important for people with asthma to stay away from smoke. Don’t smoke inside your home and make rules to keep your home smoke-free.
Ask people not to smoke inside your house. If you have to smoke inside, open windows and use fans to make the smoke go away.
Use air cleaners with special filters called HEPA filters to get rid of smoke in the air. But remember, air cleaners aren’t as good as not smoking inside. They can help, but not as much as not being near smoke.
If you don’t have smoke in your home, you’ll be able to breathe better and control your asthma better. If you smoke, talk to a doctor or a group that helps people quit smoking. This will help you have healthier lungs and feel better overall.
Check the Air Outside
Air outside can be bad for your breathing, especially if you have asthma. Things in the air like tiny pieces and other things can make asthma worse and make you have more attacks.
To stay safe from bad air outside, check how dirty the air is where you live. If the air is bad, stay inside, especially when the air is dirtiest, like in the middle of the day.
Keep your windows and doors closed when the air outside is bad, so the dirty air can’t come inside. Use air cleaners with HEPA filters to make your air at home even better and stop things outside from getting in.
If you have to go outside when the air is bad, cover your nose and mouth with a mask or scarf to keep the bad air out. Don’t exercise in places with lots of cars or factories because it can make you breathe in more dirty air.
If you know what the air is like and are careful, you can manage your asthma better and make the dirty air outside not bother your breathing as much.
