Controlling your asthma
How to reduce and avoid asthma triggers
A trigger is anything in your environment that causes asthma symptoms of coughing,
wheezing, chest tightness and/or shortness of breath. In order to reduce exposure to
environmental triggers, it is important to be aware of all possible triggers as well as specific
steps to addressing the presence of each trigger. Talk to your Community Health Worker or
doctor about your triggers and what steps you can take to get rid of or avoid them.
What could trigger my child’s asthma?
Cockroaches
Rodents
Tobacco Smoke
Rodents
Mold/Mildew
Tobacco Smoke
Dust Mites
Pets
Pollen
Common Cold or Flu
Exercise
Air fresheners
Extreme
Temperatures
Chemical
Cleaning Products
NOTE: These are the most common asthma triggers, but here may be others not listed that
trigger your child’s asthma. Talk to your Community Health Worker or doctor about other
environmental factors that you think might be causing your child’s asthma symptoms.
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.
Mold
COCKROACHES AND RODENTS
Cockroaches shed their skin and leave behind egg-shell shaped casings, as well as urine and
feces. Rodents, such as mice and rats, leave behind skin flakes, saliva, eggs, urine and feces.
All of these substances can become airborne. When people breathe them in, they can trigger
asthma symptoms in someone who is allergic to them.
Look around your home for signs of cockroaches/rodents:
Roach Droppings
Roach Egg Shell Casings
Mouse
Dropping
Rat
Droppings
How do I know if I have cockroach and rodent allergies?
An allergy test by a doctor can help determine if your asthma and allergy symptoms may be
due to contact with cockroach or rodent allergens.
Steps to take to control of cockroaches and rodents:
 Look around your home to determine where the cockroaches and/or rodents are
coming from
 Repair any cracks or holes where critters are getting in
 Remove food and water sources
 Clean home thoroughly – focus on areas not cleaned often (behind and under the stove,
refrigerator, cabinets, etc.)
 Reduce clutter so cockroaches and rodents don’t have places to hide
Specific steps for roaches:
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.
 Sticky traps can be used to monitor for the presence of cockroaches
 Use baits or traps and/or boric acid if needed
 For bait traps – we suggest the use of 10-12 traps in the kitchen, 2 per bathroom, and 24 in other areas where you often see roaches. We recommend that you repeat the use
of the bait traps in 2 weeks to help to eradicate the roaches.
 Continue these steps and clean frequently to remove dead cockroaches and avoid
re-infestation (continue to use sticky traps to monitor for the recurrence of roaches)
Note: Once a roach problem is successfully controlled, you can expect to see a reduction in
your child’s asthma symptoms after 2-6 months.
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.
TOBACCO SMOKE
Tobacco smoke is one of the most common and important asthma triggers. The
best way to avoid tobacco smoke triggering your child’s asthma is to avoid it, but
this can be difficult if someone in the home smokes. Follow the steps below to
help reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.
Tips for helping your child avoid tobacco smoke:
 Do not allow smoking inside the home
 Change out of clothes that were worn while smoking before being around
the child with asthma
 Do not allow smoking in your car
 Attempt to quit smoking - if you or another member of the household is
ready to cut down or quit smoking, discuss available resources with your
asthma Community Health Worker or doctor
What’s in a cigarette?
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.
MOLD/MILDEW
Mold/mildew is an allergen and can be a trigger for a child with asthma who is
allergic. When breathed in, mold spores can cause asthma symptoms. Mold can
be found indoors and outdoors.
How do I know if I have a mold allergy?
An allergy test by a doctor can help determine if your asthma and allergy
symptoms may be due to contact with mold. It can also help determine which
specific types of mold you are allergic to.
Steps to avoid and/or control mold:
 Keep windows and doors closed in the spring and fall to keep mold spores
from entering.
 Avoid places where mold is likely to be found (leaves, tree bark, standing
water, damp or musty areas indoors)
 Keep the humidity in your home under 50%
 Fix any leaks in your home as soon as you notice them
 Use an air conditioner during summer months when humidity is high
 Use a de-humidifier in areas where the humidity is high
 Utilize green cleaning techniques (vinegar, baking soda) to clean/remove
mold
 Get rid of moldy items
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.
DUST MITES
Dust mites are tiny bugs that are not visible to the human eye, and can be a trigger if your
child is allergic to them. They live in bedding, carpeting, cloth furniture, stuffed toys, curtains
and other draperies. All households have dust mites and it is important to take steps to
control them.
How do I know if I have a dust mite allergy?
An allergy test by a doctor can help determine if your asthma and allergy symptoms may be
due to contact with dust mites.
Steps to avoid and/or control dust mites:
 Wash your child’s bedding once a week in very hot water with detergent
 If possible, remove stuffed animals from your home. If you are unable to do this, put
stuffed animals in the dryer once a week or wrap in a plastic bag and put them in the
freezer for 24 hours in order to kill the dust mites
 If possible, remove carpet and cloth furniture from the home, or at least from your
child’s bedroom
 Wash area rugs once a week in hot water
 Replace curtains with blinds or shades and wipe down at least once a week with a damp
cloth
 Vacuum carpeted areas twice a week, preferably with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA
filer
 Maintain household humidity below 50% at all times. Use of an air-conditioner or dehumidifier can help control this
 If your child is known to be dust mite allergic (after testing by a doctor) and you are still
having frequent asthma symptoms, you can purchase allergy proof covers to place on
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.
the child’s mattress, box spring and pillows. This may help to reduce symptoms due to
dust mites.
CHICAGO Trial. These materials were created by the CHICAGO Trials, based off of materials created by the Sinai Urban Health Institute.